Page 57 of Love for a Lifetime

Checking herself in the mirror, she wiped the back of her neck with a towel, pulled the tube of lipstick out of her cleavage, and fixed her makeup. She would not let an inappropriate date ruin the evening.

Olivia pushed open the bathroom door and nearly collided with the wall of green waiting in the hallway. Backing up, she pressed a hand to her chest where her heart beat double-time.

“Mark, what are you doing?”

“Looking for you.” His gaze slid up and down her body, washing a sticky chill over her skin. He probably thought he looked brooding, but the expression was just creepy.

“I told you I was going to the bathroom.” Maybe she should have just made a stealthy escape.

Mark looked over both shoulders before turning that icky look toward her. “Let’s get outta here.”

Olivia sidestepped Mark and started backing toward the main room. “Um, no. It’s my friends’ wedding, and I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Good grief. Did he really think she’d just leave with him?

A deep ridge formed between Mark’s brows, and his gaze slid down her body, then back up. He scoffed. “What a prude.”

She’d been called worse things, and he could call her Cookie Monster for all she cared. This guy didn’t deserve another ounce of her time. Waving a hand above her head, she turned toward the doors leading to the reception. “Have a nice life.”

Olivia let out a sigh of relief as soon as she stepped into the main room. At least one of her problems was solved. She snaked through the crowd to the table where she’d left her clutch. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Anna.

Olivia: How are you?

She didn’t expect a quick response, so she tucked the phone away and scanned the room. The party had really amped up in the minutes she’d been gone.

A gentle hand rested on her shoulder. “Hey, where’s your date?” Lauren asked.

Olivia sagged onto a chair. “Gone.”

Lauren took the seat beside her. “I hate to say it, but I’m glad. He was–”

“Intense? Rude? Forward?” Olivia offered.

Lauren chuckled. “I was going to say creepy.”

“You nailed it. Anna set me up with him, and she’s getting an ear full tomorrow.”

“A good man is hard to find,” Lauren said. “But it looks like Asa and Lyric were made for each other.”

Olivia looked over her shoulder to see the happy couple swaying in a slow dance. A smile bloomed on Lyric’s face as Asa whispered in her ear.

“They are. I’m so glad those two found each other.”

Lauren inhaled a deep breath and looked down to brush her hands over her hunter-green dress. “I’m just glad he’s okay. After…what happened.”

Olivia reached out to Lauren. They’d talked many times since the night Lauren was abducted by the Wilson brothers. She’d suffered from a few bumps and bruises that were no small thing, but Asa had taken a bullet to the shoulder.

“Hey, none of it was your fault,” Olivia whispered.

“I know, but that doesn’t stop the nightmares. I’ve had dreams where the bullet hit his chest instead of his shoulder.” Lauren looked at the happy couple, but she wasn’t smiling.

Olivia squeezed Lauren’s hand. “I’m glad you’re both here. Your work isn’t finished. The Lord still has a plan for you. Asa too, it seems.”

Lauren’s smile reappeared. “Thanks. You’re right. I needed to hear that.”

“Miss Lauren!”

Olivia turned to see Levi bounding toward them. Aaron and Jade followed behind him. The kid barreled into Lauren’s arms, wrapping her in a tight hug.

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