Page 105 of Love for a Lifetime

Storm. That was a good way to describe what was coming. It definitely wouldn’t be peaceful, but if Anna was half the friend Dawson thought she was, she’d see Olivia’s heart and be happy for them.

In a perfect world.

Asa stood and started stacking empty bowls. “You two are the home team. We’ve been rootin’ for you since day one.”

Dawson’s phone dinged, and he pulled it out. A text from Olivia waited.

Olivia: Tonight sounds good. Your place?

Dawson pocketed the phone and picked up his empty bowl. “You’re right. We’ll figure it out.”

They had to. Losing wasn’t an option.

27

OLIVIA

Olivia parked in front of Dawson’s place and turned off the car. Her heart wasn’t beating like a war drum in her chest anymore, but she shook out her sweaty hands.

The Fish and Loaves packing had taken her mind off the call with Anna, but now the task in front of her was focusing in her mind’s eye again.

She got out and blinked to adjust her night vision. Dawson’s porch light was on, and her headlights hadn’t turned off yet. Still, there was a chill in the September air that had her jogging for the house.

She reached for the door and opened it without knocking. After being cornered by wolves, leaving her back exposed to the night was a big no-go.

“Dawson!” she shouted as she tossed her purse onto a cornflower-blue recliner in the living room. A fire crackled in the fireplace, and NYPD Blue played on the muted TV.

The moment her word died in the air, a heavy stomping bounded down the hallway. Dawson jogged into the living room and straight toward her. Within a second, she was twirling through the air in his arms. Wrapping her legs around him, she clung to him as if her life depended on him. After the evening she’d had, Dawson was a lifeboat to her sinking ship.

“I missed you like crazy, my queen,” Dawson whispered against her ear.

“I missed you too.” Why did it feel like a wall was crumbling inside her chest? Why did Dawson Keller have the ability to absolutely crush her with just a few words?

Dawson kissed her forehead before pressing his lips to hers. The contact breathed life into her entire body, and she kissed him back with everything she had. They’d waited so long for these stolen moments, and it was as if everything she’d felt for Dawson over the years was continuously rising and spilling over the dam. Nothing could contain it.

Olivia threaded her fingers in his hair, preventing him from pulling away as she kissed him long and wanting. Every brush of his mouth against hers whispered silent promises.

Dawson continued kissing her as he turned and walked to the couch. Sitting down, she settled in his lap as the force of their kiss calmed from a thunderstorm to a gentle rain.

Dawson peppered small kisses on her lips, then her cheeks, before moving to her temple and forehead. He rested his head against hers and inhaled a deep breath. “I want to hear all about your day,” he whispered. “Your whole week. Tell me everything.”

Olivia rested her head against his shoulder. “Can we just stay like this for a minute?”

His arms caged her in, holding her up in more ways than one.

“As long as you need.”

She tightened her hold around his neck. “I’m terrified of telling her,” she whispered.

Brushing a hand over her hair, he whispered, “Don’t worry, my queen. We’ll figure this out.”

“How?” Olivia lifted her head to face him. “She was upset when she called me about the reel, and I had no words. None. I was paralyzed with fear.”

Dawson brushed her hair from her face. “That’s a good thing.”

Olivia jerked back, caught off-guard by his response. “Are you crazy? That’s not good.”

“It means you care, which tells me that no matter what, we’re going to get through this. You care about us, and you care about Anna too. You’re a good friend. You realize that’s where all this comes from, right? You’re worried about hurting someone else, and it’s hurting you.”

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