planning a backpacking trip across Nicaragua in a few weeks.” He bent to look into her face. “You could come with me.”
The idea of escaping held massive appeal. But she wasn’t sure it was a legitimate offer. Most people didn’t extend invitations like that off the cuff. “You’re going across the entire country?”
“Nicaragua’s not that big.”
“I have a feeling it might seem big if you’re walking.”
He smiled. “That’s the best way to see it.”
She didn’t know much about Central America. She’d always been more concerned with the geography she navigated right here in California—especially finding the right place to live after leaving Whiskey Creek. “I wish I could,” she said in a throwaway statement that took for granted he hadn’t been serious.
He didn’t press the issue. He motioned to a soft leather couch. “Have a seat. Let’s get this on your hand.”
She was tempted to choose one of the hammocklike chairs that hung from the ceiling instead. They had, no doubt, come from Mexico or some other country and looked comfortable. But, in deference to her injured hand, she decided against getting into something she might have difficulty getting out of.
Once she was settled in, he examined her hand before putting the ice pack on it. “You should get this x-rayed.”
“I couldn’t have broken any bones throwing a tantrum,” she said, but she knew that was denial talking. She just didn’t want to face that she might’ve caused herself some stiff medical bills and the inconvenience of going home in a cast.
“I’m not so sure,” he responded. “If the pain doesn’t go away in the next day or so, definitely have it checked.”
He should know about broken bones. Not long ago, he’d tumbled off a cliff in Switzerland and broken his right leg in three places. They’d replayed the footage of it on the local news over and over. Almost everyone had seen it. As a result of that spill, he’d been on crutches, convalescing for much of the last year she and Kyle were dating. In the past twelve months she’d seen him around town more often than she had in the ten years since prom.
He arranged the ice pack on her hand and headed back to the kitchen.
“Do you ever get lonely out here?” she asked, looking toward the giant window directly across from her. From where she sat, she couldn’t see the water, but she knew the river cut through the ravine below.
“Not really.”
That was a stupid question, she told herself. Why would he get lonely? He could have a woman visit any time he wanted.
“Do you ever get lonely in Sacramento?” he called back.
After living at home with her family since college, and dating Kyle for three of those years—seeing him every day—Sacramento had been a big change. She’d been more than lonely; she’d been positively bereft. But no one wanted to hear someone sniveling on and on about a past relationship. Other than that lapse of sanity in her car, she thought she’d managed to absorb the pain without showing how bad she really felt. “I try to keep myself so busy I don’t even have time to think about stuff like that.”
“No wonder you lost your cool.”
His response surprised her. “Excuse me?”
“You haven’t dealt with the blow.”
“I refuse to feel bad about a man who could do what Kyle did. That’s all.”
He reappeared with some painkillers and a glass of water. “Here, take these.”
She swallowed the pills, then eyed him dubiously when he said, “To be honest, I don’t understand why you’re here.”
“You invited me,” she pointed out, purposely misunderstanding.
“You know what I mean.”
With a wince, she adjusted the ice pack. “Everyone’s wondering whether I’ll show up. I felt it was best to come back with my head held high. Not coming would only have confirmed to Kyle and Noelle that I’m still hurt.”
“I admire your courage, but…”
He thought she’d bitten off more than she could chew. That episode in the car proved it. “I won’t break down again.”
“There’s no shame in loving someone, Olivia.”
As if he knew anything about it. She almost said that, but stopped herself. Why be unkind? He wasn’t the person who’d wronged her. She knew better than to give him the chance. “There is if that someone is marrying your sister,” she grumbled. “Everyone’s watching me, waiting for the tears to flow.” And he’d actually witnessed them…
His expression softened. “Kyle screwed up.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, even if you are sort of obligated to say that to someone who’s going through what I am.”
He didn’t try to convince her he’d meant it more honestly. “Just because you’re in town doesn’t mean you have to stay,” he said. “I’m the only one who’s seen you.”
“You’re suggesting I leave? Miss the wedding? She’s my sister.”
“That goes both ways. Most people would say she had no business hooking up with your boyfriend.”
The fact that Kyle had been her boyfriend made him that much more desirable for Noelle. It was a strange but undeniable dynamic. Noelle had always coveted what she had. “What good would it do to nurse my resentment? To tear my family apart?” she asked. “Besides, I have to attend the wedding. I’m planning it.”
His thick eyebrows jerked together. Because he’d removed his sunglasses the moment they walked into the house, she could see his eyes. She wasn’t sure that was a good thing. They were so beautiful they could render a woman helpless with a single, smoldering glance—especially a woman who needed to feel desired again.
“You’re planning it?” he said. “Why the hell would you do that?”
The anger in his voice made her stiffen. “That’s what I do for a living. That’s what I’ve been doing since college.”
“Doesn’t mean you had to do this wedding. Why didn’t you say no?”
“To my parents?”
“They had no right asking you.”
“They couldn’t afford anyone else. I have all the contacts. I could do it much more easily than they could themselves. Besides, they want me to forgive her. They want to maintain peace and harmony in the family.”
“That’s bullshit. They should’ve protected you, told her to elope.”
Olivia had never dreamed she’d be commiserating with Brandon Lucero. Apparently their mutual dislike of Kyle had pulled them onto the same team. “Why haven’t you ever gotten along with your stepbrother?” she
