Page 21 of Secret Triplets for Christmas

“I’m glad that you’re doing well and are happy. After everything…” I looked down, wishing I wasn’t about to bring up the saddest parts of Oliver’s life.

“I tell myself that Liam would be happy for me too.”

My head snapped up. “I’m sure of it.”

“I don’t know. The last time I saw him, he was telling me to leave, but it was because he was angry at me.”

I put my hand over his, his warmth seeping up my arm before I was able to think better about touching him. “You knew Liam. He could be quick to anger but even faster to forgive and make a joke.” I squeezed his hand and then released it.

The server came with our drinks, and I was grateful for the interruption.

“Maybe. Enough about me, though. What about you? Are you still working at the museum?" he asked once our server left.

"No, actually. I'm the creative director for a marketing firm.”

His head cocked to the side. “That’s a surprise. I always saw you as a museum curator or something. At one time, didn’t you want to start a business?”

I laughed. “At one time, I wanted to do a lot of things.” But becoming a single mom to triplets at the age of twenty-two required that I grow up. “I like my job. It’s different, but I can still be creative and I work with a great group of people.”

“And how's your dad?”

“He’s great. He and Mira are still blissfully married. They have a boy, Grayson, who is about a year older—who is five.” Holy crap, I nearly told him that Grayson was a year older than my girls.

“Was that a shock for you to have your dad with your best friend?”

"Shock is an understatement." I laughed, glad to talk about them and not me. "It was strange at first, but they're really happy, and they have a little boy together. That's all that matters to me—that my family is happy."

"Of course. Family is everything, isn't it?" His expression was filled with sadness and I realized that he didn’t have a family. The only person he had was Liam. Self-loathing filled me because he did have a family. He had three little girls whom I was hiding from him.

He forced a smile. “What about you? Are you seeing anyone?"

The question caught me off guard, and I hesitated for a moment. “Ah… not now. My life is full. Work… like you.” God was going to strike me dead for all these lies. “Did you learn anything at the police station?” Yes, I was a coward, changing the subject.

“No. They’re assuring me that they’re looking into everything. Do you have any idea on what they’re looking for?”

“None. I just hope they’ve given up looking for whatever they want in my home.” I sipped my latte, wishing the warmth would sooth away the unsettled feeling that someone had been through everything in my home.

"God, I hope so." He leaned forward, a shadow of guilt crossing his face. "Lindsay, I can't help but feel responsible for all this. Liam's past coming back to haunt you.”

"It’s not your fault. And honestly, I don't even know why you're here. The police have it handled." This time, I braced for the bolt of lightning God would strike me with as I encouraged Oliver to leave Boston.

"Because I care, Lindsay. Liam loved you, and I… I just want to make sure you're safe."

But I hadn’t loved Liam. Not at the end. By the time Liam died, my heart was with Oliver.

"It’s not your job to keep me safe. You have no duty to me because of Liam.”

He laughed humorlessly. “Liam used that same word… duty. He said he relieved me of my duty when he walked out.” His hands wrapped around his mug as he looked into the hot beverage.

I didn’t like making Oliver feel more pain or guilt, but at the same time, it was true that Oliver had no obligation to me. “The point is, I’ve moved on. You’ve moved on. All that is in the past. I’m fine. I don't need you here to protect me." My heart twisted with pain as I said the words, but I knew it was for the best.

"Moved on, huh?" He looked away, hurt flickering in his eyes. He turned back. “I’m not leaving until I know what’s going on and that this won’t impact your life. I owe it to Liam. If he were here, he’d be making sure you were okay. I know he fucked up with you, but he loved you.”

The hurt inside me deepened as I realized he wasn't here because of any feelings for me but merely because of his brotherly bond with Liam. Feeling hurt about that was stupid. There was no reason for Oliver to be here for me, not after all these years.

My first instinct was to point out that Liam wasn’t here. And if he were, I had doubts that he’d be helping me. I believed he cared for me, but he cared about money and power and whatever he’d been caught up in when he died more than me.

“Truly, Oliver. It’s lovely that you feel that way, but I’m fine and the police are doing all they can.”

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