by Brenda Novak
So she avoided him at all costs.
“Are you seeing Brandon?”
Cheyenne stood at the candy table next to her. Olivia had been so busy refilling the jars she hadn’t noticed her. “No. Of course not.” She cleared her throat. “We’re just friends.”
“Does he know that?”
She cleared her throat. “Pardon?”
“I’ve never seen him look at a friend the way he looks at you.”
Following Cheyenne’s line of sight, she saw Brandon leaning against the wall with a drink in one hand. He had a frown on his face and that didn’t change when their eyes met.
She nodded politely, but this time he didn’t respond. “He’s been very…supportive,” she said, forcing herself to turn away.
“I’ve always thought he’s not as bad as people make him sound,” Cheyenne said. “A lot of that criticism stems from jealousy, don’t you agree? People have a hard time accepting someone who soars so high. Someone who dares to break all the rules.”
Olivia wondered why Brandon was on his feet and wished he’d sit down and give his leg a rest. “It’s great how much he enjoys the things he loves.”
“I think he’d like to enjoy you, too.” Her lips curved in a conspirator’s grin, but before Olivia could say anything, the toasts started and Cheyenne moved back to her table.
The best man, Noah Rackham, spoke first. He talked about the length of his friendship with Kyle and how Kyle’s marriage would make their group of friends larger.
Olivia flinched at that. She’d always thought she’d be the next official member of their clique. Then Nancy got up—Ham wasn’t the type—and told her new son-in-law how excited she was to have him as part of the family. She related a cute story about Kyle coming to her rescue once when her car wouldn’t start. Everyone smiled because it was endearing, and they’d expect nothing less from Kyle, but Nancy didn’t add that he’d done it when he was her boyfriend, not Noelle’s.
Kyle’s father got up after Nancy and said he’d always been able to depend on Kyle and how proud of him he was.
As the toasts wore on, Olivia began to see a pattern. Everyone had praise for Kyle, but no one had much to say about Noelle.
Determined to be big enough to overlook the circumstances that had brought them to this point, Olivia retrieved her glass from the dessert table where she’d left it when she restocked the candy and lifted it high. “I’d also like to offer a toast.”
She regretted her impulsiveness when everyone looked at her. A sudden hush swept through the room, attaching more weight to what she was about to say than she wanted. She got the impression that there were people who hoped to see her break down in public, or perhaps berate her sister as Noelle deserved. But Olivia merely wanted everyone to know that she supported the union and was no longer bitter about how this wedding had come to pass.
Stubbornly maintaining a congenial smile, she turned toward the new couple. She wished she could extoll her sister’s many virtues, but…she couldn’t. So she settled for a few simple words to show everyone that she harbored no animosity. “To the bride and groom. I wish you health, happiness, prosperity and…abiding love.”
Although everyone else applauded, the despair on Kyle’s face made it difficult to drink to her own toast. His expression told her he knew what her words really meant. She’d cut him loose. She’d stopped carrying a torch for him. She thought Noelle would appreciate that, but her sister seemed as crestfallen as Kyle. Maybe, now that Olivia no longer wanted Kyle, Noelle wasn’t sure she wanted him, either. Noelle couldn’t even console herself with the fact that she’d soon be living in a mansion. From Noelle’s grumblings while they were at the salon earlier, Kyle hadn’t relented and agreed to build her the house of her dreams.
A few others offered toasts, all of them Kyle’s friends, except for Noelle’s maid of honor. Then the dancing started.
Breathing a sigh of relief that the night was nearly over, Olivia put down her glass and automatically glanced over to where she’d last seen Brandon. But he wasn’t there anymore. After a quick search, she caught sight of him, recognized his blond head at the door.
He was leaving.
Chapter 12
“Brandon.”
Brandon refused to turn when Olivia called his name. He kept walking through the gardens even when she hurried after him and grabbed his hand.
“Brandon, wait. I—”
“What?” he snapped, stopping so suddenly that she had to back up to avoid running into him. “What could you possibly have to say to me after treating me like I don’t exist?”
Taken aback by the depth of his anger, she stared at him. She didn’t know what to say, how to explain. Everything that came to her was wrong. Or far beyond what she should feel after so short a time.
“I-I’m sorry,” she mumbled and turned before he could see the tears in her eyes. But this time he came after her. He reached her before she could enter the building. And she was pretty sure he cursed when he kissed her.
* * *
Brandon had no idea what had happened at the wedding. If Olivia had been confused, or hurt, or embarrassed. But she was in his arms now and that took the sting away, made it easy to forgive her, to chalk her remoteness up to everything she’d been through in the past few months. When her lips gave way beneath his, allowing him to taste the warm wetness of her mouth, he couldn’t even remember why he’d been mad.
“There you are,” he breathed as her arms circled his neck. “I’ve missed you.”
She smiled against his mouth. “I’ve missed you, too.”
It didn’t matter that it had only been a day. He meant what he’d said, and he could tell she did, too. Eager to take anything she was willing to give him, he groaned as she ground her hips against his. He knew what she wanted. He wanted the same thing. But they couldn’t risk being seen, couldn’t be caught making out like this.
It would’ve made more sense to take her home, but he was rattled enough by her earlier behavior to fear she’d change her mind again if he waited. So he pulled her into the shelter of some trees, where they had a degree of privacy.
“You’re all I’ve thought about,” he admitted, framing her face with his hands.
“Funny you should say that. You’re all I’ve thought about, too,” she said, and then they were kissing again and straining to get closer and she started to remove his belt.
* * *
Olivia knew what she was doing was crazy. She’d never behaved like this before—but she’d never felt like this before, either, never wanted a man like she wanted Brandon. Instead of stopping him when he slipped a hand inside her dress, she encouraged him, shifting so he could reach what he wanted to touch. Only the fear that what they were doing might cause him to injure his leg gave her pause.
“Don’t hurt yourself,” she murmured.
“I’m fine,” he whispered. “All I need is you.”
“But your leg…”
“I’m being careful,” he said, but he didn’t seem to be keeping that promise when he put on a condom and lifted her up against the building.
It was over almost as fast as it had begun. Sheer excitement crashed into frantic need for an incredible few minutes, obliterating every bit of pent-up longing. She could hear the music, smell the roses but all she could feel was Brandon moving inside her.
Afterward, his heart pounded hard and fast beneath her ear and his chest rose and fell as he struggled to catch his breath.
“I’ve never done it at a wedding before,” he told her with a chuckle.
She tilted her head back to look up at him. “I’ve never done it anywhere in public.”
Lowering her gently to the ground, he kissed her temple. “I’m a bad influence.”
“No. It was my fault as much as yours.”
He straightened his clothes while she straightened hers. Then he offered her his hand. “Let’s get out of here, go home.”
She shook her head.
“Do you
have to stay for a while? I hope not. I want more of you.”
“I’m sorry, but—” she bit her lip “—this is goodbye, Brandon. I’m not going back to your place.”
His eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about?”
He wasn’t used to being denied. But she knew it was better to leave him wanting more. To end on a positive memory…
“I’ve got my life and you’ve got yours. I don’t even live here.”
“So? You’re not far. Why not enjoy each other while we can?”
She wanted to walk away while she still had the strength to do it with some dignity. It was important to her self-esteem. He was leaving the country in two weeks, anyway. “Because you were right.”
“About…”
“I’m not capable of casual.”
His finger tilted up her chin. “What if—” he started but another voice interrupted.
“Olivia? Olivia!”
Noelle was looking for her.
“Where are you?” her sister cried.
“Damn,” she whispered and began to step out of the trees, but he tugged her back. “I’m not ready to let you go.”
She wasn’t sure if he was referring to this moment or their relationship in general. But it didn’t matter either way. “It’ll be easier now than later,” she said. Then she slipped out.
Hoping to rejoin the wedding without bringing attention to herself, Olivia drew a deep breath and smoothed her hair. But Noelle saw her as soon as she entered the room and came straight for her.
“Where have you been?” her sister demanded. “Everyone’s been asking about you. Grandma and Grandpa are tired. They want to say goodbye.”
Olivia struggled to appear serene, but the intensity of what she’d just experienced had left her shaken. “Outside, getting some fresh air.”
Her sister’s eyes narrowed. Had she noticed Olivia’s flushed face and Brandon’s recent departure and put the two together? “Doing what?”
“Nothing.” At the suspicion in Noelle’s voice, she couldn’t help turning to see if Brandon was behind her, but he wasn’t.
Noelle raised one hand to pluck a leaf from her hair. “At my wedding, Olivia? At my wedding?”
Olivia told herself to cross the room and say goodbye to her grandparents and everyone else. But she couldn’t bring herself to stay another second. She’d given this weekend all she had. And still she felt like she’d failed more than she’d succeeded. “I’m leaving,” she said. “I hope you enjoy your honeymoon.”
“Wait! Who’s going to clean up?” Noelle called, but Olivia ignored her. She walked faster and faster until she was outside, running. Her parents and their friends could clean up. Kyle’s friends could help. She’d done all she could.
When she reached her car, she got in, locked the doors and peeled out of the lot.
It wasn’t until she was almost at her apartment that she realized she’d received a text nearly half an hour earlier. It was from Brandon: I wish you’d change your mind.
* * *
Olivia never came back. And she didn’t call him. As one day led to the next the week after the wedding, Brandon held out hope that she might relent and see him. He knew what they’d shared was special. Wondered how she could hold out, given the strength of their attraction.
But he didn’t hear from her. He told himself to move on without her. He’d known all along that he wasn’t the kind of man she needed. He was too caught up in his career. And right now he had a battle of epic proportions on his hands if he expected to get back on a pair of skis. He didn’t need to be involved with a woman who could distract him the way she could.
Everything he told himself was logical and true, but that didn’t make her any easier to forget.
By Wednesday, he broke down and called her. She didn’t pick up, but he left a message on her voice mail. “Call me. This is nuts. I want you so much I can’t think straight.”
On Thursday, he texted her twice. “Are you really going to do this to me?” and “I smell you, taste you every time I close my eyes.”
He was dying to see her again and he made no effort to hide it. But that didn’t seem to matter. Although he tried calling her one last time, he received no reply.
Friday, when his parents invited him to dinner, he accepted immediately and was grateful for the diversion—until Kyle and Noelle showed up. They must’ve returned early. They were supposed to be on their honeymoon until Sunday night.
“Did you have a wonderful time?” his mother gushed as Bob let them in.
“It was—” Noelle sent Kyle a sulky look “—fine.”
“Fine?” Paige blinked in confusion. “You went to Napa Valley. There isn’t a more beautiful place on earth.”
Noelle lifted her nose in the air. “There was nothing wrong with the scenery. It was Kyle. He insisted on working the whole time we were gone.”
“I have a company to run,” he explained. “I had to take a few calls. Nothing big.”
“Maybe it wasn’t big to you.” Noelle regarded Brandon with an accusatory air, but he had no idea how she could blame him for anything. “You weren’t the one who was always waiting,” she snapped at Kyle.
Kyle seemed embarrassed, which was, no doubt, Noelle’s intent. “I gave you plenty of attention,” he grumbled, and surprised Brandon by appearing relieved to see him. “How’s the leg?”
Brandon hadn’t heard that question in a while. Only Olivia knew he was still having problems with it. But the pain it caused him had been getting harder and harder to hide. “Fine. It’s been fine since I got the cast off.”
Fortunately Kyle didn’t question that. “Great. When do you go to Nicaragua?”
Paige drew Noelle into the kitchen while Brandon answered. “Next Friday.”
Kyle shot a look at his father, who was turning off the TV. “I wish I could go with you,” he said in a low voice, intended only for Brandon.
Brandon scowled at him. “Damn it, Kyle.”
He didn’t say anything. He just pinched the bridge of his nose as if the past week had been one of the hardest he’d ever endured.
“I wish you weren’t so damn noble,” Brandon muttered.
“It wasn’t my nobility that got me into this mess.”
Brandon chuckled as Bob came back toward them.
“What?” he said, looking between them.
Kyle answered. “Nothing,” he said, but he didn’t seem bothered that his father could overhear when he asked, “How’s Olivia?”
An image of her, naked beneath him, popped into Brandon’s mind, making the craving he felt for her that much worse. “I wouldn’t know.”
Kyle studied him for a moment. “If you care about her, don’t let her go.” He sounded jealous but resigned to the idea. “She’s crazy about you. I could tell.”
Brandon was so shocked that Kyle would encourage him, he couldn’t decide how to respond. Fortunately his mother saved him the trouble by entering the room, carrying a hot casserole. Noelle was right behind her with some rolls.
“Come on over and sit down,” she said. “Dinner’s served.”
* * *
Olivia had almost called Brandon a million times. She wanted to respond to his messages, to see him again. But she knew that if he was leaving in a week there was no point. He’d go on his way and forget about her. She didn’t need to grow even more attached to him.
But it had been a long, lonely week since the wedding. It didn’t help that Kyle texted her on Sunday: Brandon seemed lost at dinner Friday.
There was no context to let her decipher his meaning or his intent. She planned to ignore it but ultimately wrote back: What does that have to do with me?
Everything, came the reply.
Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon? she typed.
Work brought me back early.
A few seconds later, he added a Thank God that almost made her laugh. She knew, in a way no one else probably did, what he was talking about. Noelle was
not an easy person to take for long periods of time.
I refuse to feel sorry for you, she texted back.
He followed up with a wink and that brought a smile to her lips. “Poor Kyle.” She was just glad she hadn’t heard from her sister. She was also glad that it was wedding season and she’d signed three new clients. The added work, along with trying to hang some pictures and decorate her apartment, was keeping her busy, giving her a good excuse not to drive back to Whiskey Creek—even though, when she stopped working for five seconds, that was exactly where her heart wanted to take her.
Chapter 13
Kyle, of all people, called to say goodbye. “Do you have everything? Do you need a ride to the airport?” he asked.
Brandon glanced at the luggage he���d packed. He’d hired a car to take him to Sacramento. He was meeting his agent, Scott Jones, for lunch before heading to the airport. To pay a driver to come all the way out to Whiskey Creek was expensive, but he couldn’t let any of his friends or family see that he wasn’t taking a backpack.
“I’m covered,” he replied. “Thanks, though.”
“Your plane leaves at five?”
He grimaced as he shifted. His leg was giving him so much trouble today. It was getting worse all the time. “Five-thirty.”
After this small talk, there was a slight pause. “Okay. Have a nice trip.”
Brandon stopped Kyle before he could hang up. “You thought you’d offer me a ride because…”
“When she was here for the wedding, Olivia told me something I’ve decided might be true.”
He hadn’t realized Olivia and Kyle had had much chance to talk, or were even on speaking terms. That toast at the wedding had been so generous it had blown Brandon away. He couldn’t imagine many other women being able to forgive so quickly that they could wish a sister well despite the hurt she’d caused. “What did Olivia say?”
“That I should try talking to you now and then. That I might be missing out on having a great brother.”
A fresh pang of longing shot through Brandon. He hadn’t talked to Olivia since their encounter in the gardens during the wedding, but his desire to hear her voice hadn’t diminished. If anything it had grown stronger. “She did?”
