Page 33 of Accidental Theirs

---

It’s not that I’m not grateful that things are progressing, but beingjustfriends with Olivia Carter will be one of the hardest things I’ll ever do.

Chapter Nine

OLIVIA

I wakeup just after dawn and have plenty of time before work. I have to admit I’m more than a little refreshed. I guess making friends with my ex relaxed me.

It’s not that I don’t want Dominic back in my life. It’s that I’m scared. I’ve never had my heart broken so thoroughly, and I don’t want to get hurt again.

So, friends only it is.

Even if I did want him to kiss me goodnight last night.

Maybe I’m just greedy.

I’ve kissed Dominic and Damien and thought about kissing Sebastian. I’ve been off the rails recently, and I guess it’s all about this merger.

“We’re going out for drinks tonight,” Roland offers as we walk into the coffee shop together.

“Oh? What about your boyfriend?”

“Brett?”

“Isn’t his name Darren?”

He waves a hand dismissively. “You’re out of the loop. Darren’s been gone for months.”

“Gone where?”

“Wherever cheaters go, I dunno.”

I laugh. “Oh. I’m sorry I’ve been out of the loop. This merger is driving me nuts.”

“It’s driving everyone nuts.”

“Except Damien. He’s always got it together.”

“Does he?”

I look over at Roland, shocked. “What do you mean?”

“You can’t tell he’s losing weight? Losing sleep? He’s worried about this merger just as much as you are.”

Panic claws at my throat. If even Damien is worried...

“Don’t freak out.” Roland’s voice is calm and even.

He always knows how to calm down my type A personality. “It’s a good thing that he’s so dedicated to this. He must know it’s the right decision.”

“How can he know? I don’t even know if it’s the right decision.”

“Damien knows what he’s talking about, Olivia. Remember, he’s been doing this just as long as you have.”

Roland is right. Damien may play his emotions close to the chest, but he’s never done anything to harm my business.

He’s only ever helped hold it up.

I take a deep breath. “I’ve got a hundred financial documents to go through. I need a triple espresso.”

---