Page 32 of When Forever Comes

“Not at all.” I tug her closer. “It’ll get this meeting over with, and I’ll be able to do it with you beside me.”

She bites her lip. “Okay, fine. But if this could end up hurting you or your business in any way…”

I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “If it ends badly for me but I still have you, none of that matters.”

I brush my thumb against the edge of her jaw. As I lean forward, her eyelids flutter closed, but before I can brush my lips against hers, someone coughs.

“Dana?” a man asks.

Dana must spot Rhett, my lead tennis instructor, because she waves at him enthusiastically. He comes over to the three of us, looking more nervous than I’ve ever seen him. After greeting all of us, he focuses back on Dana.

“Do you have dinner plans tonight?”

“Not anymore.” Dana spears me with a look.

“Want to have dinner with me?” he asks, taking her elbow and leading her away from me and Olivia.

She bounces on her toes and plays with the end of her braid as they talk, giving Olivia and me the opportunity to discuss our own plans.

“I’ll pick you up in an hour.”

“Okay.” Olivia looks apprehensive. “What should I wear?”

I shrug. Giselle is always dressed to the nines, but that’s because she’s constantly on the prowl for husband number six.

“Wear whatever you want.”

She purses her lips and gives me a sharp look. “What are you wearing?”

I cough and tug my shirt collar away from my neck. “Probably a black suit.”

“So I need a fancy dress. Got it.” She lifts a brow. “At least someone gave me an entire wardrobe of dresses recently.”

“He must be smitten with you,” I say.

She gives me a sly smile. “It’s a good thing I’m smitten with him, too.”

* * *

I walk into the penthouse and hear bumps and grumbles from somewhere inside.

“Olivia, are you ready?” I call, not wanting to infringe on her privacy.

“In here!” Dana calls from the direction of the master bathroom.

Olivia walks out in a deep purple dress that hugs each of her curves.

“You look beautiful.” I take her hand and kiss her palm.

“You look very handsome,” Olivia replies with a shy smile.

“You kids have fun!” Dana says before shuffling out of the bathroom and heading toward the elevator. “I’m meeting Rhett in a few minutes.”

“Have fun and be good!” Olivia calls after her sister.

“Okay, Mom!” Dana shouts back.

Olivia and I head downstairs and take the town car to the restaurant just down the road. When we walk in, Giselle is seated and perusing the menu.

---