Page 94 of Rivals Next Door

“I mean for a friendly drink,” she added. “It’s too loud in here, and you look like you could use a listening ear.”

I gazed at the woman for a moment and then decided to take her up on her offer. She was right. I’d been wallowing in misery with no one to talk to for days because I was too embarrassed to admit what happened with Olivia to my friends.

“So this is really your last week at the club?” I asked Candy who sat across from me in a little café in Cambridge. I was uneasy being in this town because it was Olivia’s territory. However, my companion had night classes nearby, so we settled on this joint.

“It is. I’m focusing on school.”

I studied her, noting that she looked a few years younger without the heavy makeup she wore at the club. “That’s good, Candy… I feel like I should call you Candace now.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, I’m ditching the stripper name in a few days. However, back to you, Alex. You’re very good at diversion, you know that?”

My lips quirked into a wry smile. “I don’t like talking about the emotional stuff.”

“I know, but I’m a virtual stranger, so it should be easier.”

I blew out a breath as I lifted my cup of coffee and sipped. Talking about Olivia was never easy no matter who I chatted with.

“You really went through with grabbing her company, huh?” Candy peered at me through narrowed eyes. “That’s cold. I never took you for the cold type.”

“I’m not that type. I guess my bitterness got the better of me.” I tucked my chin into my chest. “I wasn’t going to do it. I mean, I changed my mind and then she just…”

Olivia broke my heart over and over again each time I reached out to her and she ignored me. She refused to talk to me, and I was pissed. After I told her about her brother, I thought she’d at least see that I wasn’t the bad guy anymore and fucking talk to me. I fell to a despicable level of pettiness and carried out my revenge.

I sighed heavily. “I’m not proud of my actions. I thought I would be, but I kinda hate myself. She broke my heart again, Candy, and I wanted to get her back. Other people yell and throw angry words when they lash out. When I lash out, I go through with hostile takeovers of companies.” I shrugged when Candy snorted. “So now I own my ex’s empire. I won, but…”

“You feel like you lost miserably?” she finished.

Nodding, I lifted my cup in salute to her perceptiveness. “I’m a fool,” I said. “A hopeless, lovesick, vengeful fool.”

“No, you’re brave and more attractive than ever.”

I lifted my eyebrows.

“Guys—the ones I’ve dealt with anyway—don’t put themselves out there like that.” Candy shrugged. ”For you to open your heart again after getting hurt is courageous.”

Yeah… and look what it got me. However, in all fairness, I hadn’t outright told Olivia what I wanted. It wasn’t like I’d poured my heart out and she shut me down. I guess her rejection years ago made me react more dramatically than necessary this time around.

“So what are you going to do now, Alex?” Candy asked as she studied me intently. “Are you going to swear off love and sleep with all the women in Boston once again?”

“I think I’ve run out of women in this region, Candy,” I joked. “I might have to try the west coast.” We had a good chuckle and when I sobered, I said, “Seriously… I think I’m going to handle things differently this time.” My lips twisted into a wry smile. “Since I’m not twenty-one anymore, I’ll behave like a logical, mature adult.”

She laughed. “That’s good. You’ll be fine, and who knows? Maybe when you and Olivia cross paths, you’ll be calm enough to talk things out.”

I gave her a skeptical look, but still, I said, “Maybe… one day. I mean, I guess I’d like to tell her that I did find it in my heart to forgive her.”

As I got lost in thought, I caught a glimpse of the most luxurious chestnut mane in my periphery. Olivia had hair like that. I used to tell her she’d be perfect for those shampoo commercials. That always made her laugh. I swiped the café and saw her, but my mind told me it was somebody who looked like her because there was no way she’d really be here just as I was talking about her.

When I did a double take, Olivia was indeed standing in line at the cashier with another woman, Elena Martinez. I had gotten acquainted with the journalist while Olivia and I worked to get Don Weaver off the business scene.

They both stared at me as I stared at them… at Olivia, mostly. Her eyes darted to Candy and then back to Elena. She said something to her friend and then she was scurrying toward the door.

“Is everything okay?” Candy asked.

“Olivia…”

She gasped and followed my gaze. I was sure she was dying to meet the mysterious ex-girlfriend who had captured my heart twice. However, all she saw was a curtain of brown hair flying in the wind as Olivia practically sprinted through the door.

“Why are you still sitting here?” Candy hissed. “Go after her!”

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