Page 106 of Love for a Lifetime

Olivia’s shoulders slumped. She carried exhaustion like a pile of firewood on her back. “I can’t hurt her,” she whispered. The words slicing through her throat left it burning and stinging.

“You won’t.”

Olivia swiped the back of her hand under her nose. “Can we talk about that video? How has it had over a million and a half views?”

“I have no idea. I didn’t know it would cause a problem with Anna before I posted it. I just had you on my mind and wanted the world to know.”

That longing in her own heart recognized the need in him. Hadn’t she been fighting against the same urge to shout about her feelings? It was the biggest, most exciting news of her life, and she couldn’t openly show her happiness. Hiding it from the world felt wrong.

Dawson cradled her face, directing her attention to his hazy blue eyes. His massive hands only reminded her of his size. Dawson was tall and lean but every inch of him was carefully corded with muscle. The strong hands on her cheeks belonged to the gentle giant who fought off the screaming doubts in her mind with a whisper.

“This isn’t going away, Liv.” He swallowed hard and locked his steel-blue eyes on her. “I love you.”

Her small gasp was immediate, but all surprise dissipated in the next instant. Those three little words were amazing and familiar. So much had changed between them recently, but so much was still the same.

It wasn’t love, was it?

It was. The asking revealed the answer in her own heart.

Dawson’s smile grew as his gaze brushed over her. “I’ve loved you in so many stages of your life. I’ve loved you through days and weeks and years. I’ve loved you through thousands of yesterdays and tomorrows. I’ve loved you as long as I can remember, and I’ll love you until the very end. Whatever happens, we’ll make it through together.”

Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. Every doubt and every worry slipped away in the wake of Dawson’s love. It was the piece of the puzzle she’d been afraid to place, but it fit perfectly into the life they were building together. “I love you too.”

“Really? I thought it would take you at least a month or two,” Dawson said.

Olivia laughed through silent tears. “You’ve only been my best friend for two decades.”

“Are you saying it’s about time? ‘Cause that’s what I was thinking.”

She sat up in his lap and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I know you’re right. I just had a rough day, and I still haven’t figured out how to tell her.”

“We can tell her together. Strength in numbers, right?”

Olivia shook her head. “She’s leaving tomorrow for a trial in Casper. She’ll be gone for at least a week. It’s a big one.”

“Then let’s relax for a week.”

A spicy scent tickled her nose, and she sniffed. “What’s that smell?”

Dawson’s eyes widened and he stood, carrying her toward the kitchen with her legs and arms still locked around him. “Oh shoot. I forgot I made you dinner.”

“Really? I’m starving.”

“Steak and potatoes for my queen,” Dawson said as he set her on the kitchen counter by the sink. He lifted the cover off a plate revealing what looked like a juicy T-bone.

“There’s only one,” she said.

“I ate the chili you dropped off at the garage earlier, but I figured you’d be hungry after working at the church.”

She reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing hard. When she let him go, he let out a series of coughs.

Oh no, she’d squeezed the life out of him. She couldn’t have a boyfriend for a week without proving to be a danger to his health. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Dawson coughed again and shook his head. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “I’m not complaining. Death by being overloved by you would be a good way to go.”

She rolled her eyes, but he probably didn’t even notice the exaggeration. Dawson lived in a world of all or nothing. He wasn’t a lukewarm kinda guy.

That was exactly why she could trust every word he said. He loved her, and it wasn’t a surprise. Everything he did reflected that confession. He didn’t just speak love, he lived it. He thought of her when they were apart. He checked on her when she got home in the evenings. He took care of her in little moments throughout their life without even telling her.

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