Page 86 of Love for a Lifetime

Olivia pressed her hand to her chest. “It is to me!”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m saying nothing is ever going to happen with Anna and me. She’s great, but she’s not the one I want.”

Dawson gripped Olivia’s hand. “I admire your loyalty, but there are no feelings for Anna. You, on the other hand, have all of me. I could never belong to anyone else.”

22

OLIVIA

Cloud nine was a dangerous place to be.

Dawson had stoked the flames of her feelings, assuring her that this wasn’t an impulsive mistake. She’d known him enough to trust him completely. He wouldn’t risk their friendship, as well as Olivia’s friendship with her best and oldest friend, if this was a fling.

Despite the assurances, a knot settled in her gut. There was a mountain standing in front of her, and she had to cross it before things could be good for this new relationship.

Why did things have to change? She saw Dawson almost every day. They called and texted each other all the time. They helped and supported each other. They ran a farm together.

Well, they’d probably be kissing now. That was definitely a new development. Anna would notice that change-up.

Dawson was laying it all on the line, and she wanted to soak it all in and wrap up in his words. She could almost forget the danger waiting just outside the truck.

Wolves and broken trust. Two equally vicious threats.

There was no way around it. Anna would be crushed, and Olivia couldn’t imagine being the cause of that hurt.

Stay loyal and deny her feelings for Dawson, or seek her own desires and break the strongest loyalty of her life? It was an impossible situation.

There was still the secret of her possible infertility. The upcoming appointment with her doctor to discuss surgery options loomed over her head like a dark cloud, and she couldn’t bring herself to mention it tonight. They had enough standing in their way already.

One step at a time.

Dawson rubbed circles over the back of her hand with his thumb. “What do you say? Can we give this a chance?”

It was the moment of truth. Except, only some truths were taken into account.

“I want to. I really do. I’m not ready to talk to Anna about this, so can we take things slow for now?”

Dawson tilted his head. She couldn’t make out his expression in the dark, but the shadows gave her what little bravery she had to confess her feelings to him.

“I’m okay with taking things slow. Are you saying we shouldn’t tell anyone yet?”

“That too, I guess. I don’t want Anna to find out about us from someone else, but I need to figure out how to tell her.”

“Okay, but I can kiss you, right?”

“Dawson!”

He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. The world around them slowed as he stole her breath and heart. His voice was low and rough as he whispered, “I plan to kiss you a lot.”

A thrill of excitement rushed up her spine. How long had she been waiting to kiss him? How long had she sat beside him wondering what it would be like to have his lips on hers?

Too long.

“Okay. Kissing is allowed,” Olivia said. “I just need to figure this out with Anna.”

“I don’t know how to help you, but I’m here if you need anything.”

She brushed a hand over his stubbled jaw. This sweet, protective, funny man was doing everything to ease her concerns. He understood her more than anyone else except Anna, and he had to know how difficult this was for her.

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