23. Olivia
Olivia
Kansas practically tackled me the second I stepped out of the conference room.
“You did it!” she shrieked, wrapping me in a suffocating hug. “You finally made partner at freaking Maven & Moss! You’re officially the boss of your own life now.”
I laughed, even as she crushed my ribs. “I was before, but this is a nice upgrade.”
Nora approached with a huge smile. “Congratulations, Olivia. You truly earned this.”
I nodded, breathless. “Thank you so much, Nora. I appreciate the opportunity.”
Miles Maven and Jeremy Moss followed, both offering handshakes and congratulations.
Miles grinned. “Welcome to the top, Miss Shaw. We’re impressed with you and happy to bring you on board.”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” Jeremy added dryly. “We expect miracles.”
I arched a brow. “Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got plenty in stock.”
Kansas nudged my side. “She’s already designing a partner-sized throne in her head.”
Jeremy snorted. “As long as it’s tax-deductible.”
The excitement was a fire in my chest, burning hot and fierce. This was everything I’d fought for. I almost felt disbelief that it was actually happening.
As I grabbed my coat and stepped into the hall, Hayden Klassen was there, arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall like a smirking gargoyle.
“Well, well,” he drawled. “The underdog gets the bone. How... unexpected.”
I bit back an eye roll. Oh, this was going to be fun.
“Klassen.” I slipped into my coat, slow, measured. “Shouldn’t you be off licking your wounds somewhere more private?”
His smirk widened. “Not wounded, just... entertained. I mean, let’s be honest, Olivia, we both know how this ends.
You won’t last. The pressure will crack you.
Creative types always get swallowed up by the business side.
But hey,” he shrugged, “when you flame out, I’ll be here to pick up the pieces. ”
I smiled, sharp and bright. “Oh, Hayden. That’s cute. But here’s a tip—if you’re gunning for my failure, you might want to start practicing how to address me properly.”
His brows furrowed.
“As your superior,” I clarified. I looked him in the eye, took a step toward him, invading his personal space, and said, “You might want to keep in mind that I now have the authority to let you go.” I brushed past him pointedly.
Kansas, waiting by the door, let out an exaggerated whistle. “Damn. That was satisfying.”
I grinned. “You buying me a drink to celebrate?”
“Hell yeah. And appetizers—the expensive kind.”
I laughed, stepping out into the cold. The wind bit, but my victory burned hotter.
Later, at home, Mystic darted toward me the second I stepped inside. “Your human is a partner, Mystic.”
She meowed, unimpressed.
I scooped her up, spinning us in a giddy circle. “Do you know what this means? It means I get to make the rules now. Me.”
In true feline fashion, Mystic wriggled free and launched onto her scratching post. The hideous thing stood in the corner, clashing with every design instinct I had.
I pointed at her. “Fine. But I’m redesigning that monstrosity the first chance I get.”
She flicked her tail and gave a long, big meow in protest. She then launched herself at me in ambush as I walked past her, the tiny chaos gremlin of a kitten. I plucked her off my shoulder and flopped onto the couch, exhilaration still buzzing in my veins.
“You little menace,” I told Mystic as I rubbed her ears slowly. She practically sighed in happiness. The night’s warmth finally settled in as Mystic walked to my lap and batted at my necklace. “Seriously?”
I curled on the couch and stared at the glow of the city outside my window.
Hayden could doubt me all he wanted. The pressure and expectations?
Bring it on. I was Olivia Shaw, Partner at Maven & Moss.
Did that mean they would change their name?
Probably not, but Maven, Moss & Shaw still had a nice ring to it.
Chloe’s smile from earlier flashed through my mind, followed by Brett’s steady voice in my ear.
When we were together, he had always been there.
Maybe Teagan was right that Brett had always been in love with me. I knew I had always been in love with Brett.
I closed my eyes with that thought, letting exhaustion and pride pull me under.
The next day, the aroma of garlic and rosemary filled my condo as I set the last dish on the dining table. Tonight wasn’t just dinner—it was a declaration. I’d finally made partner. I wanted to celebrate, and if I was being honest, I wanted Brett there for it.
“Can I take my tie off?” Zackery groaned, stepping inside with a bottle of whiskey.
“Just keep your pants on. That’s all I ask.” I smirked, taking the whiskey bottle from him.
Brett followed, a lazy smile curving his lips. “Your place looks great, Olivia.” His eyes drank me in and lingered. My fitted black dress had his full attention.
I ignored the shiver down my spine. “Of course it does.”
Chloe ran in, all bright energy and excitement. “This is so cool!” She beelined for Mystic, who took one sniff of her before allowing a few strokes. “Dad! I want a cat.”
Brett chuckled. “Phoenix would eat it.”
The room broke into laughter, and Kansas clapped Brett’s back. “He’s not wrong.”
I rolled my eyes. “No pets are getting eaten tonight. Now sit, eat, and celebrate with me.”
The conversation flowed as easily as the wine. Kansas and Fiona traded sarcastic jabs. Sindy dramatically retold a dating horror story involving a man who unironically called himself “Daddy.” Zackery nearly choked on his drink.
“Tell me you left mid-meal,” I said, shaking my head.
Sindy scoffed. “Oh, I let him pay first.”
Kansas grinned. “You’re my hero.”
Brett leaned close. “You do know you’re glowing, right?” His voice was low and intimate.
I turned toward him, my pulse betraying me. “That’s just the wine.”
He smiled, knowing better. “Sure it is.”
After dinner, the games began. Competitive chaos unfolded. Kansas trashed Brett at poker, Zackery accused Fiona of cheating at charades, and Chloe had everyone in tears laughing with her celebrity impressions.
Mystic curled up in Chloe’s lap once everyone settled, purring contentedly. “She likes me.” Chloe beamed, scratching under her chin. “I told you I need a cat, Dad.”
Brett gave her a long look, then sighed. “We’ll talk.”
Chloe fist-pumped. “That means yes.”
Zackery smirked. “It really does.”
As the evening wound down, guests trickled out, leaving just Brett, Chloe, and me. Chloe yawned dramatically, stretching her arms. “I’m staying here, right?”
Brett looked to me for confirmation.
“Of course, she is. I redecorated my spare room to be something you’d like. Go take a look,” I urged.
Chloe shrieked with excitement and bounded up the stairs.
I followed and tucked her in. She looked up at me, eyes hesitant but hopeful. “I love this room, and I love you, Olivia.”
Something in my chest cracked wide open. I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I love you too, Chloe.”
She smiled sleepily. “I’m happy Dad loves you too.”
My breath caught. My gaze flicked to the doorway where Brett leaned, watching us, smiling. I pressed a kiss to Chloe’s forehead before slipping out.
Brett closed the door behind me, his expression unreadable. “She’s not wrong.”
My heart pounded. “Brett?—”
“Tell me I’m wrong, Olivia. I love you with everything in my heart.” His voice was husky, laced with something dangerous.
“I love you too, even if you’re arrogant and?—”
His mouth crashed against mine, swallowing the words. Heat seared through me, my back hitting the wall as his hands framed my face, possessive and demanding. I gasped, my hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer.
His lips traced my jaw, breath hot against my skin. “I meant what I said.”
I gritted my teeth, my body betraying my better judgment. “Tell me again?”
His eyes burned into mine. “I love you, Olivia.”
Everything stopped. My heart and my thoughts. The steady hum of the city outside.
Then, I kissed him like we had been together our whole life.
Damn him.
Damn me.
This was not over.
The house had settled into silence as the snow fell in big fluffy flakes outside, creating a winter wonderland beyond the large windows.
I lay on my bed, my head resting on Brett’s chest, his fingers idly stroking through my hair.
The moon’s glow painted his face in silver, softening the sharp angles I knew too well.
“I’m never going to get used to this,” Brett said, his voice low and rough.
I shifted, tilting my head to look at him. “Used to what?”
His fingers traced the curve of my jaw. “You, here with me.” He exhaled like the thought overwhelmed him. “I spent too long convincing myself I didn’t need this.”
I swallowed hard. “And now?”
His lips curved into that damn smirk that still did something to me, even after all these years. “Now I’m completely taken by you.”
A laugh escaped me, but it caught when he flipped us suddenly, pinning me beneath him. I blew out my breath as his weight settled between my thighs, heat growing in the space between us.
“That’s a dangerous thing to say to me,” I teased, my fingers dragging over his stubbled jaw.
“Good,” he whispered, lowering his mouth to mine slowly.
The kiss was deep and intoxicating. Every inch of me burned under his touch, and the heat coiled in my stomach. His hands mapped my body with devastating precision. It was maddening how he took his time and savored every reaction.
I tugged at his shirt, a silent command, but he only chuckled against my lips.
“Patience, Olivia,” he warned as he trailed kisses down my neck.
Patience with him? I had twelve years of pent-up frustration with this man.
I arched beneath him, pressing closer, my nails digging into his back. “Brett?—”
“Say it,” he demanded, his voice a ragged whisper against my collarbone.
I knew what he wanted and knew he thrived on the power of it—surrender wrapped in truth.
“I love you,” I admitted the words a breathless confession.
Brett stilled, his forehead pressing against mine. His breath was unsteady, and his grip tightened around me. “Repeat it.”
“I love you,” I whispered, my heart hammering.
A curse left his lips before he kissed me again, this time with desperation, making my toes curl. My hands roamed his body, memorizing the planes of muscle and the warmth of his skin. The last of our restraint snapped, and then there was no space between us, no hesitation.
Everything blurred into heat, tangled limbs, whispered names, and gasping breaths. Every touch and every kiss was a reminder of what we had, what we’d lost, and what we refused to let slip through our fingers again.
When we finally collapsed, spent and breathless, Brett pulled me against him, his hand splayed possessively over my hip.
“I should’ve done that twelve years ago,” he sighed.
I chuckled and pressed my cheek against his chest. “It certainly would’ve saved us a lot of trouble.”
His fingers traced lazy circles on my skin. “I wasn’t ready then.”
I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. “And now?”
His lips quirked, but his eyes were serious. “Now I’d burn down the whole damn world before I let anything come between us again.”
Something in my chest tightened painfully. “Brett?—”
“Shh,” he silenced, pulling me closer. “Just sleep, Olivia. You’ve exhausted me.”
I huffed a laugh, nestling into him. “Oh, please. You look entirely too smug to be exhausted.”
His laughter rumbled against my skin. “Fair point.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Sweet dreams, baby.”
I smiled against his chest, feeling—safe, cherished, and loved with promises of a forever future with the man I’d loved for most of my life.
For the first time in a long time, sleep found me quickly.