Page 58 of Roman & Olivia
“Mason!” Olivia snapped, and both of them turned to look in her direction.
Mason scowled. “You need to tell him to leave so I can call the sheriff and have him removed forcibly for trespassing.”
The snort that came from Roman would have been comical if it wasn’t for their current situation. He shouldered past Mason so he could come face-to-face with Olivia. “How well do you really know him?”
“Roman,” she pleaded quietly, praying he’d get the hint and let this whole thing deescalate.
His scowl deepened.
Her prayers wouldn’t be answered tonight.
“Do you know what he’s been up to? Do you know the kind of guy you’re dating? Because it turns out he’s not as great as you think.”
Mason grabbed at Roman, fully preparing to drag him down the stairs himself. “That’s it. You need to leave. I’m not going to stand here and let you spread malicious rumors about me just because you’re still in love with her.”
Roman shoved him off. “The next time you touch me, you’re going to be sorry.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Their arguing continued, voices rising in the quiet evening air. Olivia squeezed her eyes shut tight, then snapped, “Stop!”
Both of the men quieted and stared at her. She turned to Mason. “I need to talk to him.”
“Okay—”
“Alone.”
This time Mason glowered at her. “Olivia?—”
“You heard her,” Roman said smugly, earning a sharp look from Olivia before he looked away.
“Please, Mason. I’ll handle this.” She gave him a pointed look—one she was sure he’d interpret correctly. They’d agreed to be exclusive, and she was determined to improve their relationship even if it meant she needed to put some distance between herself and Roman.
The truth was agonizing. She didn’t want to push Roman away, but he was officially coming between her and the man she was trying to date.
Mason didn’t move. His eyes narrowed on her, and then they darted to Roman. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy. He wasn’t just going to let her talk to Roman. He’d made that clear when he’d been in the car. She owed him an explanation—one that Roman didn’t have to overhear.
Olivia reached for him, cringing at the way Roman bristled when Mason took her hand. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Liv—”
“Just… come on.” She hated the way she sounded right now—like she wasn’t strong enough to do what she knew must be done. With a little more coaxing, she tugged Mason toward the stairs. They descended in silence as she attempted to gather her thoughts.
When they made it to his car, she faced him.
“I meant what I said, Mason. I want to make this official. I’m ready for us to see where this could go. You’ve been so patient with me, and I want to show you how much I appreciate it.”
Mason leaned against his car and pulled her closer to him. He rested his hands on her hips as he stared into her eyes. Then he lifted a hand to brush some hair behind her ear. “You don’t know how special you are,” he whispered. “And I know how close the two of you are.”
The sound of a door slamming shut startled her, and she looked up at the railing to find Roman missing. The light was on in her apartment, and she knew for a fact that Cammi was still at work. Roman had gone inside with her spare key.
Great. She’d have to get that back from him, too.
Mason’s fingers grasped her chin and forced her to look at him. “I care about you, Liv. I don’t want him to manipulate you into taking him back.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s what you’re afraid of?”
He gave her a chagrined smile with the lift of his shoulder. “What can I say? I’m attached to you.”
