Page 107 of Twisted Bonds
"Do you not know what you're having then?" I ask.
"No. I was hoping for a gender reveal party once all this bullshit with Erik blows over."
"Ugh, you're killing me, smalls!"
Liv chuckles. "God, I haven't heard you say that to me in years!"
"Yeah, it has been a while, but you haven't pulled anything like this since you came to stay with us, either."
"Well, don't go getting your panties in a wad, because I will be mailing you these results. You will be the only one to know what I'm having. I mean it," Liv warns as I start squealing with joy, "Not even Beau and Bain can know, Ryan."
"Okay, okay!" I laugh and lean back in my chair. "So, how is everything going?"
Liv sighs. "I miss you guys. Xavier is patient with me, and he really tries to keep me entertained, but I think it's wearing on him, too. He's used to coming and going as he pleases…" she trails off.
My heart does a little skip at the sound of Xavier's name. Will I ever get over that little bit of feelings I felt for him? It's worse now that I know he wasn't the real Sergio.Am I a little jealous of Liv now that she has his love? Maybe.
I clear my throat before responding to her, "It's only a matter of time before the divorce is final. Erik was served the papers, and regardless of how abusive he is, Xavier will never allow him to harm you ever again."
"Yeah, I know. He's a good guy." She pauses, and I can tell she's hesitant to say something, so I wait. "He told me, you know."
"Told you what?"
She scoffs, "You still suck at playing dumb."
"I honestly don't know…"
"He told me about how he knows you, Ryan," she states with a little attitude. "God, don't make this more than what it needs to be. I need to know if you have a problem with Xavier and me being together. I won't continue the relationship if you do…"
"No!" I raise my voice to make sure she understands. "I don't have an issue with it. I'm happy if you're happy, and what happened between us doesn't matter. I love Beau and Bain. That wasn't real; it was a means to protect myself."At least, I thought that at the time, anyway.
"Are you sure, Ryan?"
I can hear the hope in her voice, and I genuinely want to see her happy. I think Xavier will be her happiness. I smile even though she can't see me. I hope she can hear it when I say, "You have my blessing, Liv. Befuckinghappy for once. Do what makesyouhappy."
"Thank you, Ryan. Well, I had better go. I wanted to let you know to watch the mail. I'm sending it by special delivery, so you'll have to sign for it. I don't trust Erik not to go through your mail."
"Oh, well, we will be leaving tomorrow for a week. Bain wants to take me to Rhode Island to visit his cousin Dominik. Will Heather or Laney be able to sign for it?" I ask.
"Oh, fun, fun! Is it the three of you going or just you and Bain?"
"Please, like Beau can go a week without seeing me," I chuckle as I stand by the window and watch some women do yoga out on the lawn.
"You would be one hundred percent correct, Ry-Ry."
I jump at Beau's voice, and when I turn, he's leaning against the doorframe, just staring at me and smirking. I narrow my eyes at him. "I'm going to have to go, Liv. I love you; take care of yourself, and I will surely see you soon."
"Love you, too, honey. Have fun in Rhode Island, and don't do anything I wouldn't do," she laughs and hangs up before I can reply.
Beau holds up a bag from the sub shop down the road from my old house. Grinning, I go to him, and he pulls me close, taking my lips in a soft but passionate kiss. Kissing Beau will never get old.
"Is my girl hungry?"
"I'm famished, thank you."
I pull away reluctantly, and we walk over to the small table in the corner of my office. Beau is always thinking of me when it comes to mealtimes. Sometimes, I think I would waste away if it weren't for him. I'm such a workaholic that I forget to eat quite often.
"Are you ready for our little getaway?" Beau asks as he hands me my sandwich.
