Page 13 of Forbidden Obsessions

“For what, exactly?” I ask casually, trying not to sound nosy.

“The day of relaxation. Here, have some coconut water,” she offers with finality before shooting a stormy look at Lex. “Seems like you lost some fluids there. Don’t want you to get dehydrated,” she adds.

“It’s good to see you both. I’ve missed you. Anything new?” I ask, testing the waters. I won’t make either of them tell me something they don’t want to, but holy hell, do I have questions for them.

“Nothing on my end.” Mia drains the glass of prosecco in one long sip.

“What about you, Lex?”

“Nothing,” Lex says quickly. The dim lighting does nothing to hide the blush creeping up her face. I’ll get to the bottom of whatever is up soon enough. Are they dating or just sleeping together? Is this why Matt ended things?

Mia returns with another skin mask. “Lots of collagen in this one, grandma,” she teases, rubbing the cool cream into my face with deft fingers.

“Alright, can we simmer it down a bit? You’re taking skin off,” I protest. Mia sighs, softening her massage marginally.

Mia leaves, then hurries back into the bathroom with an assortment of makeup, hair products, and a garment bag. She’s been back and forth so much, I’m getting whiplash.

“What is all this for?” I wouldn’t put it past Mia and Lex to host a party and not make us aware that we were having it. Mia reaches in to drain the tub.

“Okay, I guess I was done,” I say, standing and wrapping the towel around me. Both are fully engrossed in their work, barely speaking. The pair of them work in tandem seamlessly to turn me into a princess. Mia sticks her tongue out in concentration. “There,” she says thirty minutes later as she pins the last bobby pin in my hair.Holy fuck.

“Mia, you’re in the wrong profession. Are you a literal fairy godmother?” I have never looked so good in my entire life.

She gives a half-smile. “Come on, princess. Time to get your prince.”

Chapter Five

Tomas

I’ve been pacing the length of this porch so much that it’s going to wear out the wood. What is taking them so fucking long? I check the grill for the hundredth time, lifting the lid to test the temperature.Fucking hell.The steaks are going to burn soon.

Is one night too much to ask for? Just one single night to go perfectly for her. Her world is about to be uprooted tomorrow. The least I can do is make tonight unforgettable.

I pivot at the sound of the French door. My breath catches in my throat. Olivia’s mouth falls agape, her eyes sweeping across the hanging twinkle lights, the candles flickering on the table draped in white linens, then finally coming to rest on me.

“Hi,” she says softly, dragging her gaze over me. I feel myself flushing underneath her piercing eyes. My breath catches in my throat. I’ve never seen anyone or anything as beautiful in my life.

Mia happily took the reins when I asked for her help. She chose a stunning floor-length pale pink dress, accentuating Olivia’s rosy hue and curves, that looks like it was made for her. Loose curls frame her heart-shaped face.

“Tomas, this is stunning.” The dress swooshes at her legs as she twirls like a poised ballerina.

“Not as stunning as you. God, Olivia,” I say, giving her my arm to escort her to the table.

The wraparound porch sits off of the living room with French doors leading to the hot tub and a dining room. Between the scenery, the dozens of candles, Olivia’s best friends, and some elbow grease, this place looks like a five-star resort. The air still smells earthy, like the rain that has pattered on the windows most of the day. A soft breeze filters in from the mountains. The fireplace burns steadily in the corner. I couldn’t ask for anything cozier.

“Cold?” Her lips chatter as she nods. Without hesitation, I wrap my suit jacket over her shoulders. Two sizes too big for her, she pulls it closer, studying me lazily.

“What are you doing?” I connect my phone to the Bluetooth speaker.

“My grandmother’s favorite,” I croak through an unexpected swell of emotion as Etta James serenades us. Her mother’s mortality has me thinking about my own.

“What are we celebrating?” she asks.

“Us,” I say, taking my seat across from her.

“Us,” she repeats with a scowl, filling her plate with the garden salad.

“You could use some celebration and relaxation in your life, Olivia.”

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