Page 46 of Trust

“I had a feeling there was a reason.”

“For what?”

“You’re a tornado of gratitude and happiness.” Lifting her hand, he folded it in his. “That usually doesn’t happen unless you survived something horrific.”

She glanced up. “Does that mean I should see your storm of positivity soon since you’re a survivor too?”

Cupping her cheek, he bit back a smile. “You never know what kind of miracles are in the offing.”

Feeling lighter than she had in a long time, she was reminded that the world didn’t stop spinning when the words were said aloud—when she talked about the man who showed her what love looked like. “You have a well of untapped kindness, Zane.” A full smile broke across his handsome face, and nothing could’ve prepared her for how warm it made her feel.

“I knew this talking thing was a good idea.”

“Talking naked is good too.”

“You keep saying things like that, and I’m gonna think you’re only interested in my body.”

“You make it sound like a bad thing.”

“Never count me out, Liv.” He kissed her head. “Because I’m likely to surprise the hell out of you at some point.”

“I look forward to it.”

She rubbed her cheek against the soft cotton of his T-shirt and questioned why the phantom of love lost didn’t seem to hang around when they were together. Was a second chance at happiness available down the road?

And was the man whose heart was beating against hers going to help her find it?

She closed her eyes and decided the idea was absurd.

Lucy leaned against the screen door and shook her head. “Good Lord, does Zane wear that indecent smile every time he works on the disaster in your yard?”

Olivia handed her sister a glass of iced tea. “Not really.” Heat bloomed in her lady bits, and she tried not to appear like a Cheshire cat.

“Oh, jeez…you sexed him up before I got here, and that’s why he looks like a contented lion.”

“Siberian tiger.”

“What?”

“A Siberian tiger is the most patient animal in existence, and that’s what Zane is.” She sipped her tea. “Until he’s not.”

“If I weren’t so happy for you, I’d be a tad bit jealous.”

“Nothing to be envious about.” She lifted her glass in Zane’s direction. “This little entanglement has disaster written all over it.” Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh. “The embers of hope flared earlier but sadly are about to fizzle out.”

“Who are you? My sister of immaculate positivity would never say anything like that.”

“Reality is scratching at my door, and I’m not fool enough to ignore it for very much longer.” She collapsed on the step. “Between Zane’s PTSD, fear of intimacy, and desire to become the world’s loneliest recluse and my near maniacal need to avoid complete devastation, we may only have another week of happiness, tops.”

Lucy dropped down on the step and took a moment to arrange her full skirt. “What if…”

Olivia glanced at her sister. “Even my positivity can’t come up with a happy ending.”

“I assume you’re planning to enjoy the ride for as long as possible, then?”

“Yes.”

“What about those pesky feelings you’ve never had before? How are you going to rationalize those away?”

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