22. Brett
Brett
The first thing I felt was warmth. The second was Olivia’s body pressed against mine, her breath soft against my chest, and her hand tracing circles on my stomach.
“Are you awake?” she asked lazily, her voice still thick with sleep.
“Barely,” I shifted, sliding a hand down her back, feeling how she shivered at my touch. “But if you keep doing that, I’ll wake up real fast.”
She chuckled, stretching against me like a cat. “Good. I hate wasting a perfectly good morning.”
I pulled her closer, kissing her shoulder, and felt how she melted into me. It felt like old times, and I was amazed at how clearly I remembered how we used to be together. I hadn’t forgotten a thing about her. “And what’s your idea of not wasting it?”
She turned, those striking mismatched eyes locking onto mine, mischief in their depths. “Hmm… I guess we’ll have to figure that out together.”
We made it to the shower, though I wasn’t entirely sure how. Hot water poured over us, the steam curling around our bodies. Olivia’s laughter echoed in the enclosed space as I reached for the shampoo and deliberately poured too much into my palm.
“That’s enough for, like, five people,” she scolded, laughing as I smoothed the excess over her hair.
“Figured I’d get my money’s worth.” I massaged the shampoo into her scalp, watching her melt under my touch.
Her hands weren’t idle either, sliding over my chest, down my stomach, and teasing lower. “Mind if I ravish you, Brett Collins?” she asked, amusement playing on her lips.
“You can do whatever you want to me, Olivia.”
“Anything?” She cocked her brow at me.
“Absolutely anything,” I reassured her with a cocky grin.
I would’ve happily stayed in that shower all morning, savoring the way she felt, the way she laughed, and the way she touched me. But the faint sound of tiny feet padding down the hallway reminded me that I had a kid who was probably about to demand pancakes.
“Morning, Chloe-Bear,” I called as we stepped into the kitchen. Olivia was wrapped in my hoodie, her hair damp and messy. She looked dangerously good.
Chloe was at the table, legs swinging, nose buried in a book. She barely glanced up. “Morning. Are we having pancakes?”
“We are if you help,” Olivia said, stepping past me to grab ingredients. “Come on, chef-in-training.” Olivia looked at Chloe and asked, “How’s your leg today?”
Chloe looked down and shrugged. “It feels a bit better.”
“You’d better stay off of it for a while. Have a seat at the island.”
Chloe’s brows knitted. “Okay. I don’t know how to make pancakes.”
“That’s the fun part,” I told her. “I’ll show you how.”
Chloe hesitated, glancing at me like she needed permission. I gave her a little nod. “Go on. Olivia’s a pro.”
That was all it took. Chloe settled in the chair and waited for Olivia’s instructions. Olivia brought all the ingredients over to her and showed her how to mix everything.
“Here, you do it.” Olivia handed her the measuring cup. “We need two since we’re doing a double batch. Whatever is left over, you can freeze and pop in the toaster another day.”
Chloe poured the first one perfectly—the second… not so much. Flour puffed into the air, coating her cheeks and nose.
She froze.
I braced myself for a meltdown, but then Olivia tapped a finger to her own cheek, smearing flour across her skin. “Now we match. Excellent job, Chloe.”
Chloe blinked, then giggled. “You look silly.”
“You look sillier,” Olivia countered, sticking out her tongue.
Chloe’s laughter rang through the kitchen, and damn if it didn’t hit me square in the chest. I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching as Olivia showed her how to mix the batter, her patience never wavering, and her enthusiasm was contagious.
Chloe loosened up, getting flour everywhere, and Olivia didn’t bat an eye.
I swallowed hard. For the first time, I saw what life could be like if I let it: easy, warm, and full of laughter and love.
Chloe flipped her first pancake, and she gasped when it landed mainly in the pan. “I did it!”
“Like a pro,” Olivia praised, nudging her shoulder. “I told you that you’d be a natural.”
Chloe beamed, and my heart swelled.
Breakfast was utter chaos. Syrup dripped onto the table, butter smeared across plates, and Chloe talked a mile a minute between bites, gushing about her new pancake skills.
“Dad, did you see? I even flipped one without dropping it!”
“I saw, kiddo. I’m pretty sure you’ll be running this kitchen soon.”
Chloe grinned, shoving another bite into her mouth. Olivia met my gaze across the table, her smile soft and private.
I’d spent so long keeping my world separate from my past. But now? Sitting there and watching them laugh together with syrup-sticky fingers and flour-dusted cheeks felt right. Maybe this was precisely where Olivia belonged.
And that scared the hell out of me.
Because once I admitted that, there was no going back.
A few days later, snow clung to my boots as I entered the restaurant to meet Zackery for lunch. I shook off the Chicago winter. Zackery was already there, lounging in a booth. His dirty blond hair was slightly messy from the wind.
“You’re late,” he said, flipping his menu shut.
“Traffic.” I slid into the seat across from him, practically vibrating with energy. “You won’t believe the time I had with Olivia and Chloe. They were actually getting along and not just tolerating each other—full-on laughing, skiing, making pancakes. It was unreal.”
Zackery’s brow lifted. “Who are you, and what have you done with my brother?”
“Shut up. I’m serious. Olivia was patient, and Chloe let her in... Hell, we were a family for a minute.”
“A whole minute, huh? Must be a new record.”
I ignored him, leaning in. “Chloe wiped out on the slopes. We were night skiing. We thought maybe her leg was broken, but it was mostly just bruising and a twisted ankle. Olivia cared for her; if you believe it, coyotes found them. Olivia hoisted Chloe into a tree and fended them off until me and the Ski Patrol arrived. Chloe has seen Olivia in a new light and now thinks of her as a hero.”
“That’s wonderful to hear.”
I grinned. “It really is. I’m so relieved. I have to say I was a bit worried they would never get along.”
Zackery chuckled. “So, basically, you had some Hallmark movie moments?”
“Very funny.”
“Not judging. Just waiting for the part where you mess it up.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Anyway, how was the concert?”
Zackery lit up. “Dude, wild. The lead singer forgot the lyrics, so the crowd just carried him. Then, some guy proposed in the middle of a drum solo. The poor girl looked like she wanted to die.”
I snorted. “That’s brutal. Did she say yes?”
“I think so. I was too busy watching security wrestle a drunk guy off the stage.”
“Sounds eventful. Chloe can’t stop talking about what a great time she had. Thank you for taking her.”
“It was fun. Some bonding between niece and uncle.”
We talked some more and laughed. The waitress appeared, and we ordered—burgers, no question. When she left, Zackery leaned forward, expression shifting.
“Look, I get why you’re excited about Chloe and Olivia getting along. But, Brett, you ever think Chloe’s struggling because she’s scared of losing you?”
The words landed hard. I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You’re her anchor. With Olivia showing up and getting close, maybe Chloe feels like her spot’s in jeopardy.”
“Olivia hinted at the same thing.” Chloe adored me, but if she thought I’d drift away...
“Yes, you’re right,” I said. “I talked with her about it, and I think she understands I am always here for her and going nowhere.”
“Obviously. I am the smarter brother.”
“That’s debatable.”
I laughed, shaking my head.
The grand re-opening of the hotel was a spectacle. Lights glowed against the Chicago skyline, a luxurious contrast to the frost curling along the edges of the windows. Champagne flowed, laughter mingled with the clinking of glasses, and everyone basked in the triumph of a long-fought renovation.
I stood near the bar, scanning the crowd.
Olivia was across the room, her posture poised and her presence magnetic.
She wore emerald green—her power color, not that she needed the extra boost. She owned the space.
Chloe flitted between her and Fiona, practically buzzing with excitement.
Pride curled in my chest. Chloe adored Olivia, and it made my heart melt. That had to mean something, right?
“Hell of a job, man.” Teagan clapped me on the shoulder, nodding toward the crowd. “Hotel looks better than it ever has. And you didn’t even burn it down.”
“Low bar, Mercer,” I hissed with a smirk.
He snorted. “So, how long will you pretend you’re not in love with Olivia?”
My lips smoothed into a smile. “No more pretending. I am in love with her. One hundred percent.”
Teagan gave me a look. “Well, that’s a relief. I can’t believe you actually admitted it. I’m stunned. I thought we would be old and gray and still having this conversation.”
I slowly sipped my whiskey and watched Olivia laugh at something Kansas said. Her smile could ruin a man. It had certainly wrecked me more than once.
Before I could respond to Teagan’s comment, I saw Nora approach Olivia. I moved closer so I could hear what she was saying. “This entire project exceeded expectations,” she said, smiling. “You did an exceptional job, Olivia. Congratulations on your hard work.”
The way Olivia’s face lit up was like watching the sun break through winter clouds. She thrived on praise and knowing her work spoke for itself.
But then the temperature in the room plummeted.
Hayden Klassen sauntered over, all smug confidence and cheap cologne. He barely glanced at me before turning to Olivia. “Enjoying the night? Just don’t gloat too much. Wouldn’t want you to get ahead of yourself.”
Olivia’s shoulders stiffened. “Excuse me?”
He leaned in, his voice a conspiratorial murmur. “Figured you should hear it from me first—I’m getting the promotion. They are going to make me a partner. It’s all but confirmed.”
Her jaw dropped just a fraction, but I caught that tiny hesitation and moment of doubt. And I wanted to throw the bastard out onto the icy sidewalk.
Instead, I stepped closer, dropping a hand to the small of Olivia’s back. Protective and possessive. “Funny,” I said, my voice deceptively smooth. “I didn’t realize they were promoting spineless hacks these days.”
Hayden’s smirk faltered. “This is business, Collins. I know that’s not your strong suit, but—”“Walk away, Klassen.” My voice was low and quiet enough that only he heard its promise.
He hesitated, then shot Olivia a saccharine smile before disappearing into the crowd. I turned back to her, studying the storm behind her eyes.
“I—” She exhaled, shaking her head. “I should’ve seen that coming.”
“Don’t let that jackass get in your head,” Kansas said, appearing at her side.
“You’re twice the designer he’ll ever be.
You should’ve heard him whining about his office chair last month,” Kansas added, crossing her arms. “Couldn’t decide if he wanted lumbar support or an executive throne. Your competition’s weak.”
Fiona squeezed Olivia’s hand. “No matter what happens, you built something incredible here. That’s what people will remember.”
Olivia swallowed, nodding, but I could still see the doubt lingering. I leaned down, letting my breath brush her ear. “If you ever want me to ‘accidentally’ buy Klassen’s building and turn it into a parking lot, just say the word.”
A choked laugh escaped her, and finally, some of the tension drained from her shoulders.
Later, as I pulled up in front of Olivia’s condo, the city lights reflecting off the windshield, she sighed. “You don’t have to walk me up.”
“I know.” I turned in my seat. “But I’m going to.”
She looked at me, her gaze sharp despite the exhaustion beneath it. “I hate feeling like I lost.”
I reached over and cupped her chin. “You didn’t lose, Liv. You built something no one else could. Klassen’s just a footnote.”
She searched my face for more reassurance. Then she nodded, lips pressing together. “Thanks, Brett. I’m sorry, I’m feeling a little tired and just need a night with Mystic. I hope you don’t mind?”
I kissed her soft and smooth with no demands. I wanted to go in with her and make love to her. Instead, I let her go, realizing she needed time to process everything.
“I’m here if you need me.”
She smiled. “I know, and I appreciate it. Sleep well, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She stepped out into the cold, and I waited, watching until she disappeared inside. I drove home feeling happy and satisfied. Chloe and Olivia were getting along, and Olivia seemed to have dropped the walls around her heart. All was good.