Page 79 of Hot Commodity (Banks/Kincaid Family 1)

"Oh...Oh, Boston," she breathed and flung herself at him, hugging him heartily. "Thank you. Thank you, so much."

He patted her back in an awkward gesture.

"You're getting home awfully late," she noted as she pulled back. "Did Cameron go home this late too?"

Warning bells went off in his head. For some reason, he knew he was about to get dragged into something he didn't want to be within ten miles of. He shook his head. "No, I stayed later to fill out a few legal forms."

"Oh." She looked disappointed. "So, he's been home a while and hasn't called you yet?"

Boston stared at her a moment, wondering where the hell she was going with this line of questions. He shook his head again. "Why would he call me?"

She glanced sadly at the key in her palm. "No reason," she said, holding out her hand. "Can you return his car to him for me?"

Mouth going dry, Boston stared at key she offered him. No. She couldn't leave Cam. She couldn't—

"You don't have to do this," he blurted out. "He can't…" When he lifted his face, the words died in his throat. She looked like she could start crying any second.

He felt like an ass because as much as he knew how it'd hurt her to stay with his cousin, he still wanted her to go back to him.

"Where're you going?" he asked.

She couldn't quite meet his gaze as she shrugged. "A hotel for the time being."

"Which hotel?"

She jerked a frown his way, probably annoyed by his sharp question. He didn't think she'd answer but was relieved when she finally said, "Some Holiday Inn off I-35."

He nodded. "And how'd you pay for that? I thought you didn't have any money."

"Alli—" she had to pause and clear her throat when tears glistened in her eyes. "I have some. Allison already paid me to help her plan a party for Chuck's work."

Wondering what his aunt would think if she learned she'd just helped a woman hurt her own son, he blinked when Olivia thrust the key at him more forcefully.

"So, will you return his car to him for me or not?" Tears dribbled down her cheeks now.

Boston eased the key from her hand. "How're you going to get back to your hotel?"

She blinked and then stared at him a frozen moment before she let out a wet laugh and wiped at her cheeks. "I hadn't even thought of that."

"Then let me drive you."

She looked hesitant to accept his offer. "To the hotel?"

"Of course," he answered.

Though she still appeared to be leery, as if she thought he'd haul her straight back to Cameron's house—which was tempting—she finally gave in.

He escorted her to the Miata, and then drove her to the Holiday Inn. As he pulled to the curb, he asked, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Olivia appeared thoughtful for a moment before she murmured, "Actually, I think it's the only option I have." She smiled sadly at him. "You'll take care of him, won't you?"

"Don't I always?"

She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

He wanted to grab her hand and keep her in Cam's car, beg to her stick around—just a little longer. But this was her decision to make.

Feeling as if she was deserting him—instead of his cousin—he watched her disappear inside the hotel.

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