Page 109 of The Bossy One

I ran a hand through my hair. I wasn’t going to be able to get Catie through security. Not before Olivia’s plane took off. And I couldn’t leave her behind in the lobby while I went ahead.

“Fuck,” Catie said, like she was testing out the word. “Did I use it right?”

“You used it right,” I said. I thought through my options. “Could you get her a message? You could tell her I’m here. I’d pay you anything you want—”

“Declan?” Olivia said behind me.

I turned toward her, my heart pounding in my chest.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, like she’d been crying, and her hair was a mess. She looked like that first day on the plane when I’d met her and her oversized suitcase. But that day she’d had a spark in her, even if she was upset.

This time, it was like that spark was gone.

“Someone said a single dad was losing his mind in the lobby and throwing money at people,” Olivia said. “After reading your text, I took a gamble that it was you.”

I cracked a smile. It felt like I could breathe for the first time since she’d walked out of my bedroom this morning.

I reached for her. “Olivia, I—”

“No,” she said, holding up her hands. “I just came out to tell you to go home. We can’t keep doing this.”

“But I love you,” I said. The words sounded naked and stark in this gray airport. “I love you, Olivia. Stay with me. Please.” I held out my hand to her, desperate to touch her. To make everything right. “You wanted to stay with me once. I promise I can make you want to stay again.”

But Olivia was shaking her head. “You don’t get it, Declan. Ofcourseyou could make me want to stay. But it wouldn’t be good for us. We can’t keep hurting each other over and over, without ever resolving any of our actual issues.”

Honestly, that sounded like half the couples I knew. I didn’t see what the problem was, if we loved each other.

Maybe that’s the problem, all my doubts whispered in my ear.Maybe she doesn’t love you back.

Catie was looking back and forth between me and Olivia anxiously. I hated that she was seeing this.

“We just need time,” I said to Olivia, my eyes begging.

It was the only answer I had, and a part of me already knew it wasn’t good enough. But I couldn’t give in yet.

Olivia took a deep breath. “Would you consider getting your revenge on the O’Rourkes in a different way?Anyother way, except destroying the mansion. Something that doesn’t hurt…” Her eyes dropped to Catie. “Anyone else.”

I swore. This again.

“You know I can’t,” I said. “I can give you anything else, but not that.”

Olivia picked up her suitcase. “Then I can’t do this. I’m sorry. Goodbye, Catie. Declan.” She turned, and I saw her wiping at her cheeks as she walked away.

I caught up to her and grabbed her arm. “Wait.”

“My plane is leaving. The oneyoubought me a ticket for, Declan.” She snatched her arm from my grasp. “Don’t follow me again. Let me go. It’s better for both of us.”

The devastating thing was, I could tell she meant it this time. She meant every word of it.

So I stood there, broken-hearted bastard that I was, and watched Olivia St. James walk away from me.

I didn’t move until Catie slipped her small hand into mine. “Let’s go home, Uncle Declan.”

I nodded, and together we turned around and walked toward something Olivia didn’t have—home.

35

OLIVIA

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