Page 22 of A Chance for Us
The flutters in my stomach tell me everything. “I can manage it.”
“It’s because of my stellar looks and winning personality.”
I laugh, and it’s so big and heartfelt and real that I might cry. “Yes, because of all that.”
“See,” Oliver says while looking around. “She can’t resist me. Now, let’s talk about how we’re going to get the resort ready.”
They launch into business talk, and I spend time forming the rest of my plans to make this actually work.
Seven
MAREN
Iopen my suitcase and take out all the documents I need for today. Oliver is coming over to pick me up so we can head to the municipal building. He asked why we needed a marriage license when we weren’t really getting married, and I had to explain to him just how horrid Linda was. She would want to see it, and if we didn’t cough it up, she would throw a fit.
When I step into the living room, I find Sean playing a video game with Austin while Cassie is napping.
Sean looks up and pauses the game. “I think Devney and I should talk to Oliver today before all the lies and deceit really kick into gear.”
I huff. “It’s one white lie.”
“No.” He chuckles. “It’s a white gown and a big-ass lie.”
He glances to Devney, who looks up from whatever she’s reading. “It’s probably a good idea. I haven’t really gotten to talk to him since we got here because you pretty much stunned him stupid when you proposed.”
Sean chuckles. “You said he was enamored, not stunned.”
I glance at Sean. “What does that mean?”
“She mentioned he had a deer-in-the-headlights look when he saw you,” he explains. “She said he couldn’t stop staring and that he might have been drooling.”
I snap my gaze to her. “He did not. He was confused.”
Devney shrugs. “I was watching.”
“He was looking at you.”
She lifts one shoulder and then returns to her book. “I didn’t see it that way.”
I’m not sure what they’re talking about. I was watching Oliver too. He was uncomfortable the whole time. He only stared at me when I told him I needed him to be the groom.
A car pulls into the driveway, and all I can think about is how wrong Devney is.
However, I can’t change any of this.
There’s a knock on the door and the three of us stand. I release a heavy sigh and open it. “Hey.”
Oliver smiles. “Hi.”
There’s a small flutter in my stomach when he steps closer, but I tamp it down, unsure of what it is about. “Do you . . . want to come in?”
He shifts his weight and then nods. “Of course. I’d like to see everyone and say hi.”
I wonder if he honestly feels that way or if he’s doing it to appear unfazed by seeing Devney and Sean together.
As soon as I step aside, Sean moves forward. “Oliver, it’s good to see you.” He extends his hand, and Oliver takes it.
“You too, man. I saw your last game in the playoffs. Such a fucking bad call.”
