Page 39 of Reckless Intentions
Chapter Twenty
Brody’s mid-afternoon message to Olivia came as a surprise. They planned to have dinner on his last night, so when he asked her to meet him at his hotel instead, she wondered why.
Not knowing whether they would go straight to dinner from there, Olivia made sure she was looking her best. A knee length tight leather skirt, a wraparound white blouse printed with stars, matched with patent skyscraper heels ensured that she covered both business and pleasure bases. There was a large part of her that was hoping they would go straight for the latter.
She swept straight past the reception desk and headed up to Brody’s room. He opened the door almost immediately after she knocked, his expression furious.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me that Nic was your ex?” Brody’s eyes flamed as he spat the words at Olivia. “I’ve spent the whole morning telling him what a wonderful relationship we’ve got, only for him to piss all over it.
Olivia flinched, not prepared for his anger. She’d spent the whole of the time he’d been in North Ridge expecting this to happen and when it got the final day, she thought that she’d got away with it. In truth, she knew she should have told him, but it had been difficult to find the right time.
“I’m sorry.”
“I looked like a complete idiot. It felt like he was laughing at me.”
“I’m sure he wasn’t.” She reached out to touch his arm. It hurt when he pulled out of her way. “I should have said something sooner.”
“Yes, you should.” Brody paced the floor of the room. “I thought more of you, Olivia.”
His words stung. Knowing that he’d been involved with Valentina when she was about to get married smacked of double standards.
“It’s a good thing I’m leaving soon,” he muttered.
“Not until tomorrow. Come on, we can go out to dinner and talk about it. I can explain exactly what happened.”
He stopped pacing and turned to face her. “I changed my flight.”
A sense of foreboding fell over Olivia. “When did you do that?”
“Pretty much as soon as I’d finished speaking with Nic. I don’t like being lied to.”
“I didn’t lie.” She hesitated, not wanting to hear the answer to what she was about to ask. “What time’s your flight?”
“My taxi arrives in five minutes.” Brody went over to where his suitcase sat on the bed, clothes half-stuffed into it. “You should leave.”
“What? I…”
“It’s for the best.” He couldn’t even look at her.
Her mouth fell open. This wasn’t the Brody that she had grown to like, maybe even love. He was behaving illogically, throwing away everything they had over a conversation with her ex. Someone who probably hadn’t been truthful with him either.
“You can’t possibly believe whatever Nic told you.”
“So, you weren’t living together. And he wasn’t on the verge of proposing? Hadn’t bought a ring?”
Olivia let out a harsh laugh. “He said that? Now I know he’s been feeding you a load of bull.”
“I need to go. I suggest you do the same.” He picked up the case, grabbed his bag, and walked straight past her without another word.
She watched his retreating back, unable to summon up the strength to go after him. Olivia sank onto the unmade bed, and put her head in her hands, tears threatening to overwhelm her. How could it end like that? What exactly had Nic said to him? A proposal and a ring?
“Excuse me?” A voice came from the doorway. “Are you okay?” The housekeeper peered at her, a look of concern crossing her features.
“Sure, yes. Everything’s fine.” Olivia presented her with a dazzling, yet fake, smile. “I’ll be out of your way in a moment. My, um, boyfriend just left.”
The woman nodded, sympathy in her eyes. “Ah, sad times. That’s a shame. I’m sure you’ll see him again soon.”
Olivia wished more than anything, that would be true. She stood up, pulled herself together and walked out of the room.
