Page 93 of Don't Bet On It
Olivia’s forehead creased. “Um, I remember shopping for the dress. You used everything you had saved because you were so excited.”
Thinking about that night, the feelings that had threatened to overwhelm me, had my stomach constricting. I forced myself to calm down, however, and shrugged. “Except he didn’t make the date with me. Becky Carpenter said he wanted to ask me, but he was nervous, so she made the date on his behalf.”
Realization washed over Olivia’s features. “Are you kidding?”
“Nope.”
“Stupid Becky Carpenter,” she growled, her hand going to her stomach, which was growing more and more impressive each and every week.
“Who is Becky Carpenter?” Ruby asked.
“Our high school nemesis,” Olivia replied.
“Nemesis?” I sputtered out a laugh. “That’s an interesting word choice.”
“It’s the truth.” Olivia didn’t back down. “She was evil. I forgot that she said he wanted to ask you out.” She looked stricken. “Had I remembered that little detail, I would’ve put two and two together a long time ago.”
Sheepishly, I nodded. “When I thought about it after he told me the truth, I wanted to kick myself.”
“So you were holding a grudge against him that was undeserved,” Olivia mused. “If you think about it, you were in the wrong.”
I reached over and poked her large stomach. “I’m never wrong. I was simply misguided.”
“For twelve years?”
“Knock it off.” I wagged a finger at her, earning a laugh. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“You’ve been keeping the secret to end all secrets from me for months,” Olivia replied. “You need to be punished. I’ll be on your side in a week.”
“And until then?”
“Until then, I’m on Ronan’s side.”
“How do you know he even has a side?”
“Because you’re obviously starting to panic,” she replied, not missing a beat.
“And right on schedule too,” Ruby drawled.
“Yeah.” Olivia looked far too happy with herself. “I knew you were close.”
I didn’t like her knowing attitude. “Close to what?” I demanded.
“Close to admitting you’re falling for him.” She said it with such conviction that it was obvious she didn’t expect anybody to argue with her.
“I am not falling for him.” I hoped to match her conviction, but my voice was squeaky. “I’m not,” I repeated, frowning at myself because even I didn’t believe that. “Oh, crap,” I muttered, slapping my hand to my forehead as reality set in. “Iamfalling for him.”
“And there it is.” Ruby nodded approvingly. “The first step to overcoming every obstacle is to admit that you have a problem.”
“She didn’t say that falling for him was a problem,” Olivia argued.
“It is, though,” I blurted. “It’s a huge problem. I am not in a place where a relationship is a good idea.”
“Join the club,” Ruby said dryly.
“Right?” Olivia laughed and high-fived her sister-in-law.
“I’m being serious.” I couldn’t believe they were persisting with this … giddiness. “I’m not emotionally prepared for a relationship.”
