Page 78 of Roman & Olivia
“Liv—”
“No, let me finish.” She took a step back and hugged herself. “I don’t know when it started, but I do know that it’s been going on for a while. I think these feelings are the reason why I wasn’t able to let myself be happy when I was with Mason.” Her brows creased and that adorable line deepened between her brows. “I know this is probably not what you want to hear right now?—”
He closed the distance between them, cupped her face between his hands, and kissed her.
Roman kissed her for every inkling of doubt she might have had.
He kissed her to show her that she wasn’t alone.
It was part selfish, and part self-sacrificing. Olivia needed to understand that she might have fallen for him, but he was certain that he’d fallen for her harder. It wasn’t until he tasted the tell-tale signs of salt that he realized she was crying.
Crying!
A guttural groan slipped past his lips, and he pulled back to stare into her eyes. “Liv, I have loved you since before I can remember. I was an idiot. I should’ve never let you go. If I’d been smart, I would have insisted we couldn’t stage the breakup because we weren’t ready… just so I had more time to convince you that we belonged together.”
She let out a laugh that seemed to have merged with a sob.
“You’ll never know how hard it was to let you go,” he rasped, pressing his forehead to hers. “And now that I have you in my arms once more, I’m never letting that happen again.”
Olivia closed her eyes. “You love me?”
“More than my next breath.”
A faint smile graced her lips, and her eyes remained closed as she whispered, “I’ve missed you so much.”
“The feeling is mutual,” he murmured.
They were quiet for a long moment, and then he heaved a sigh.
“Liv?”
“Hmm?”
He swallowed hard. “I don’t think I can be your friend anymore.”
Her eyes flew open, and he saw the beginnings of the devastation and confusion flooding her gaze. “What? I thought?—”
Roman traced the lines of her jaw with his knuckle. “You’re so much more than that,” he whispered. “You’re everything to me. And I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
She blinked at him with surprise.
He tilted his head and grinned at her. “Based on the way my siblings haven’t moved from their spot, I’d say it’s safe to assume they’ll back me up if I tie you to a chair until you agree to be mine.”
That got a laugh out of her, and she gave him a gentle shove. “That won’t be necessary. I broke things off with Mason before I came. I can’t believe it took me this long to realize that I should have never had to choose between the man I love and my best friend.”
Roman could see where this was going, and his smile grew.
“Because he’s you. He will always be you.” She stepped closer and tilted her chin to look at him. “Thank you for waiting for me.”
He lowered his face closer to hers. “I would have waited as long as it took, Liv. For you? I would have waited an eternity.”
EPILOGUE
One year later
Olivia
“Ididn’t know y’all liked to go camping out here.” Olivia glanced around the campsite, surrounded by the entire Palmer family. Mateo and Sophia had brought their spouses, too. Between all of them, there were four good-sized tents.
