Page 73 of A Chance for Us
“Devney, listen to me,” I say through gritted teeth. “I know what I’m doing.”
“I don’t think you do, and that’s what has you so messed up. Honestly, when it comes to love, we’re all stupid, irrational, and contradictory, just like you’re being. You say you don’t have feelings for him, but here you are, smiling like a fool.”
“I have this under control.”
I don’t. We both know it. I have a million reasons I shouldn’t go with him. I should head home, the office, my father’s house, or anywhere but to Myrtle Beach with Oliver.
“I hope so. I know how amazing Oliver is. We didn’t end things because he wasn’t a great guy or treated me poorly. I actually don’t know many people who are as good or as wonderful as that man. He let me go to give me the life I was too afraid to reach for, and I will always love and respect him for that. Not a day goes by where Sean and I don’t appreciate the gesture, and I really hate the idea that he might get hurt by this. He doesn’t deserve it.”
The last thing I want to do is hurt him.
“I would never hurt Oliver, not after everything he did for me.”
“Then I wish you luck.”
“For what?”
She grins. “For keeping yourself from falling in love with him.” She taps me on the nose and then leaves the room.
* * *
We pull up to the house in South Carolina after the five-hour drive from Willow Creek Valley. Our trip was great. We laughed and talked about the funny moments over the week, discussed how to handle things until we figure out the status of our fake marriage, and enjoyed the drive. I loved passing through the small towns and feeling lighter than I have since this whole thing started.
The house is beautiful and sits on the beach just outside Myrtle Beach. It has nine bedrooms, a private pool, and a jacuzzi. Obviously, it’s way more than we need, but it’s free, so I’m not going to complain.
“Should I carry you over the threshold?” Oliver asks.
“If you want me to beat you with your own arms.”
He laughs. “Let’s go in.”
I don’t know why I’ve been standing at this door as though something will change if I go inside. The easy air of friendship we’ve had has been great, but when we walk through those doors, it’s our honeymoon. It’s sex and nothing to distract me from Oliver. I won’t be able to hide behind friends and family.
“Maren?”
I turn, my back against the door. “I don’t want this to stop.”
“What?”
“The way we are now.”
“Okay . . .”
He’s looking at me like I’m crazy again, but I need to get this out.
“I need definitions.”
“For words or something else?”
I drop my gaze to my feet as nerves assault me. “No. For us. I know we said things this morning, but I don’t know . . . I need to know exactly what this is. What we are. What we feel. If I know that, then I can be prepared. I need that, Oliver.”
He blinks a few times. “All right. Once again, you stun me.”
“I’m good at that.”
“Clearly.”
I smile and let out a long sigh. “I told you that I like to know what’s coming whenever I can, that’s all.”
