Page 42 of Your Second Chance
I felt . . . okay. Maybe even good.
We reached the apartment building, and it wasn’t until we were standing in front of the door that it hit me—Ollie had walked all the way back with us. His car was still parked at the pub.
“Why did you walk us? You had a car. It’s at the pub?”
“Oh, right.” The corners of his lips furled into a smirk.
“You’re dumb. Why did you do that?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.” He shrugged casually.
Luna, ever the gracious hostess, grabbed his arm with a grin. “Come inside and warm up for a bit. I’ve got some beer somewhere, and then you can make the trek back.”
Ollie glanced at me. “If it’s okay with you?”
I shrugged, already walking past both of them. “Be careful of the feral cat that lives here.”
“You son of a?—”
I was already halfway up the stairs, taking them two at a time, doing everything I could not to burst into laughter.
16
ollie
“Here’s the beer, but...” Luna stretched her arms high over her head, letting out the most exaggerated yawn I’d ever seen. “Sheesh, I amexhausted.Off to bed. Night!”
She grinned, clearly proud of her performance, then disappeared into her room, shutting the door behind her with suspicious speed.
“She faked that, right?” I asked, glancing over at Nova, who was sprawled on the sofa, watching the door with narrowed eyes.
“One hundred percent.”
I chuckled, popping the top off a tin of beer and dropping onto the sofa beside her.
“Ollie,” she said softly, her voice carrying gravity I wasn’t used to hearing from her. “Thank you for being here.”
I leaned back, resting the bottle on my knee. “Are you finally, maybe, somewhat opening up to the idea that we could be friends?”
“Whoa there, let’s not get carried away.” She held up her hands like I’d suggested a marriage proposal. “Acquaintances, maybe. Work colleagues who awkwardly end up at pubs for gender reveals? Sure. But friends? That’s a stretch.”
I smirked and took a slow sip of my beer. “I’ll take what I can get.”
“Why though?” she asked, her tone suddenly serious. “I mean, come on.” She dragged the words out, gesturing vaguely at me. “Look at you. You’ve got this banging body, thighs that could crush a girl’s face, you’re tall, you’ve got sick style...”
“Whoa, love. Let’s get you checked for a fever. That’s a lot of compliments in one day.”
She narrowed her brows. “I’m being serious. You could have anyone, but you’re spending your night doing a gender reveal for me and helping me while I break down outside, all while I’m carrying my addict ex-husband’s baby. A baby I’m going to have in a few short months.” She scrubbed a hand down her face. “I’m also stupid depressed. I’m sad as shit all the time, and— fuck,” she cried. “I’m always horny around you. I can’t seem to stop myself from wanting you, so I avoid you because it’s easier.”
I grinned despite her spiraling. “You want me?” I dared to scoot closer, closing the space between us.
“Really?That’swhat you got from all that?”
“No.” My voice softened. “I got so much more than that.” I paused, watching her carefully. “I understand that you want me, but you’re scared. I understand that you want more than what you think you can give. And that’s okay, Nova. Because I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out, so I pressed on. “None,” I admitted. “I told you that you got under my skin. I meant it. I don’t know how to make it stop, so instead of fighting it, I’m going to wait. I’ll wait for you and take whatever you’re willing to give me.”
I huffed out a quiet laugh, trying to lighten the moment. “Plus, who else gets to say they were there when they found out what you were having? I’ll tell the little one I was right there when you found out she was a girl.”
