Chapter Fifty-Three
Liam
I sniff the white flowers as I climb out of the Spectre. I accidentally caught the bouquet—so I get to enjoy it. Angelo seemed peeved and disappointed that I got the flowers, but he should’ve been faster.
Inspiration pumps in my veins after seeing my brother get married. He and Max are so happy. I hope they stay that way forever, and I’m proud that he used my ring to propose and wedding bands from Kingswood Stones & Designs to seal the deal.
I start to head inside Kingswood Stones & Designs, then stop when the sound of soft sobbing comes from the small alley between the store and the next building. I stick my head around the corner.
A woman is squatting on the ground, her face hidden in her lap. The white dress has dirt smudges and looks sadder than lettuce left in the back of the fridge.
“Olivia?”
She lifts her head, tears streaking her face.
“Is it Tyler again?” I say, my voice strained with old frustration and bewilderment, even as my heart tumbles in my chest.
She nods.
I run my fingers through my hair. “You should just kick his ass.”
She chokes back a sob. “It isn’t that simple.”
“Sure it is. A lot of things in life are much simpler than you think. The problem is you have to act, not just think.”
Her swollen sky-blue eyes look up at me. Something between grief and anticipation swirls in their depths.
Suddenly unsettled, I glance down and realize I’m holding the bouquet. “Here. Flowers. Uh…you can have them.”
I hand her the bouquet. She accepts them, then buries her nose in them. Then, in a small voice, she asks, “Why are you being nice to me?” She sniffles. “You weren’t part of the plan,” she adds in an even smaller voice.
“Don’t keep working on an unworkable plan. Pivot. Get rid of Tyler.”
“And then what?” She lets out a teary laugh. “I have to get married.” She covers her eyes as though in despair.
My heart squeezes. “Well…how about me?”
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