Page 14 of One Night with the Player

"Well then, someone better tell me what's happening before I rearrange Leo's face," Ethan said. He was ready to fight, but he wouldn't stand a chance. Years of channeling my frustration into martial arts would make sure of that.

"Can we go outside to talk?" I'd tried to meet up with him earlier in the day to tell him how I felt about his sister, but it hadn't worked out. As much as I valued his friendship, not even Ethan could come between Olivia and me anymore. I was ready to turn my back on anything and anyone who tried to keep us apart.

"Did you or did you not spend the afternoon panting over the dancers at Club Curve today, then go running after my sister?" Ethan asked.

Sensing the best way to get through this was to keep it short and to the point, I nodded. "Yes, I did."

"You bastard." Ethan swung.

Before his fist connected with my cheek, my fingers closed around his wrist. "I told you, it's not what you think."

"He was with me." Olivia rushed forward, her shoulders slumped. "I was the dancer."

"What?" Ethan's brow furrowed as he turned toward his sister. "You're a stripper at Club Curve?"

"No. I took some pole fitness classes, and my instructor thought it would help build my confidence if I performed on stage in front of an audience.” Her gaze met mine, and I mouthed “I love you” over the top of her brother's head, hoping that would give her the courage to continue. "Leo found me there this afternoon and things we didn’t see coming happened from there.”

I wasn’t about to let Olivia take the full force of her brother’s anger. If he wanted to be pissed at someone, he needed to direct his rage at me.

"Ethan, I need you to listen to me." I dropped my hold on his wrist. "I love your sister. I always have and I always will. Neither one of us meant for this to happen, but I’m glad it did. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

I glanced up and caught Olivia’s gaze. Her eyes sparkled with the reflection of hundreds of twinkle lights strung overhead. “I made the mistake of leaving her once. I'm not going to run away from her ever again."

Ethan's eyes widened as he looked from me to Olivia. "She's in love with you?"

"Yes. I am." Olivia squeezed my hand, her eyes shining with happiness. "Leo and I are together."

"I don't believe this shit." Ethan shook his head and ran his hands through his hair. "What about your business? You own a fucking hook-up app. And you,”—he turned toward Olivia—“how’s this going to affect getting your new business off the ground? The two of you aren’t right for each other. I can't accept this."

Ethan wasn't ready to accept anything we had to say, not just yet. But he had a right to know that I was serious about his sister. "I was wrong not to tell you sooner, and I'm sorry I didn't. But I want you to know that I love your sister and I'm not going to let anything or anyone come between us."

"Ethan?" Olivia's voice was soft, but I could hear the desperation. She and Ethan might not always see eye to eye, but they were family. I didn’t want our relationship to cause a rift in theirs.

"I don't know if I can let you do this." Ethan shook his head again. "I thought you were my best friend."

"I am your friend," I told him. “And I always will be. But right now I have to be her fiance. If you can't accept that, then I'm sorry."

“You’re getting married?” Ethan’s cheeks flushed pink. I nodded. He had a lot to process, but I couldn't walk away from Olivia. We had to be together, and I wasn't willing to give her up for anything.

I need to think," Ethan said. "I have to figure this out."

"Take all the time you need. I'm not leaving," I said, looking at Olivia. "And I'm not giving up on you, either."

"I don't want you to." Olivia's eyes shone brightly. "I love you and I want to be with you, no matter what my brother says."

"I love you, too. Now, should we go let the rest of Broken Bend in on our not-so-well-kept secret?” I held out my arm.

Olivia linked hers with mine and we turned our backs on Ethan. I hoped he’d come around. If not for the sake of our friendship, for the sake of his relationship with his sister. It was up to him, though. He had the power to make the choice.

When it came to Olivia, there was no choice. I needed her like my body required air to breathe. Now that we’d found our way back to each other, my player days were long over. I’d never be foolish enough to let her go again.

EPILOGUE

OLIVIA

Two Years Later

Icouldn't believe it. Standing in the bedroom of my dreams on our one-year anniversary, I held tight to my husband’s arm. I had so much to be thankful for. With Leo’s help, Shiva and I had launched our line of women’s pole fitness apparel six months ago. He’d made good on his promise to move to Broken Bend. And since he didn’t want to be considered a player anymore, he’d sold his dating app and built us this amazing house out in the country.

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