Page 495 of One More Kiss

Julian

We arriveat the library early and enter the teen area that’s being painted a bright blue with unfinished oak wood furniture scattered everywhere.

“Ooh, who’s that sweet slice of heaven over there?” Jordan’s eyes align with the sight of Olivia and I smack him in the chest with the back of my hand.

“That’s the girl you graciously cock-blocked me from having last night.”

He chuckles. “Oh, shit. Sorry. She’s definitely a looker.”

“Hey! Keep it in your pants or I’ll cut it off!”

Olivia spots us and with a cute wave, she scurries over in a plaid button down and denim shorts and her hair a sea of blonde waves. “Hey guys!” I lean forward and kiss her cheek and I watch humbly as her cheeks pink. “You must be Jordan,” she says towards the misfit take to me.

“The one and only. Sorry about being your cock-blocker yesterday. Big man Jules should have told me about you. No wonder why he’s been so extra tense lately. All that pent up sexual”

“Jordan,” I bark. He looks at me with a shit-eating grin on his face and my brushy brows knit together. “Why don’t you get started on building some chairs.”

“Oh yeah, there’s plenty stacked over in the corner.” Olivia directs Jordan to his station and the second he leaves us she starts cracking up. “Do you always boast about the women you intend on hooking up with to a kid you’re supposed to be giving guidance too?”

I shrug. “We were just shooting the breeze.”

“What else did you share with Jordan about us?”

“Us?”

She goes to object but I stop her with a chaste kiss on her lips. “Don’t spoil the moment,” I whisper. I lace her hand in mind and we head over to the corner we sent Jordan and I settle down beside him and begin building a few chairs. Olivia shuffles between shift conversation with Jordan, talking about his schooling, his job, his interests, and then running off to check on the progress of everyone else working around the room.

“So why did you break up with her?” Jordan asks when Olivia steps out of earshot.

“Who said I broke up with her?”

He shrugs. “She just seems so chill and easy-going. You on the other hand are rough and tumble and boring.”

I shove his shoulder. “Olivia broke up with me.”

Jordan’s mouth gapes open. “No shit! I guess bigger and better is actually a thing.”

“You really are lookin’ to get your jaw wired shut aren’t you?”

“I’m just trying to understand you two. She’s perfect, you’re okay. It doesn’t make much sense why you aren’t together.”

“Olivia…” I pause for a moment, my eyes floating around the room until I spot her talking with a group of teenage girls. “Olivia’s brother died. He was my best friend and brother in arms. It was a rough time for all of us, especially her and she felt it was best to take some time apart.”

Six years’ worth of time.

“Sorry to hear that, man,” Jordan says sincerely. “But you’re still an idiot.”

I shoot him a fiery glare. “Excuse me?”

“A girl like Olivia didn’t need space. She needed you. She needed you to stand by her, to care for her. To let her know that you will be here forever and always. You choose to let her go. You’re a man of honor who forgot to fight for what was truly important to you.”

“Have you been taking private lessons from Dr. Phil or something?”

Jordan laughs. “No, actually. I’ve been savoring all the guidance I’ve gotten from you.”

I didn’t expect my heart to swell from his admission. I wrap my arm around his neck and pull him into me as I give him a classic noogie across his wavy brown hair covered head.

“Okay, boys. Do I need to place you both in time out?” Olivia stands with her hands on her hips as she points her baby blues over us.

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