Chapter 17

OLIVER

I waited until Melissa got in her car and drove down the road before I slipped back into Pierce’s home, closing the door behind me.

"Are you okay?" I asked Mari after finding her in the same spot I left her.

She shook her head and her hands trembled as she plastered them together. "Yeah."

Her lips quivered and without thinking about it, I closed the distance between us and placed my arms around her in a tight hug. She was warm against me and I squeezed tighter, enjoying the smell of lilacs which wafted from her hair. Mari was tall and could hold her own, but she was still short next to me, which allowed me to rest my chin on the top of her head as if we were made for each other. I loved having her close. I liked it too much.

"I’m sorry," she said around a sniffle. "I don’t know why I’m crying. Chambers’ women don’t cry. I used to be a big tough businesswoman. It’s embarrassing that I’m losing myself over this."