McKenzie Cousins Box Set 3

Moving out from behind my desk, I wrap my arms around him. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

“He’s expecting you there tonight.” Michael won’t give up.

“Please leave it.”

Michael stays silent and leaves my office.

So Geary is in town and has been for a few days, huh? I guess that tells me where I stand with him.

Clearing my desk, I straighten the chairs and close the blinds before grabbing my purse. My office is silent as I close and lock the door.

As I pass Michael’s office, I notice Brooke has arrived and she is currently wrapped around my cousin. I move toward the elevator, wondering if I’ll ever have what they do. What most of my other cousins have—someone to share a life with.

18

Geary

My usual confidence has deserted me while I wait for Michael McKenzie and his wife to join me for dinner. I’m hoping Michael will bring Olivia with him, which I’d hinted at during our conversation. As I watch the couple being led toward me without Olivia, I know that I’ve made a mistake in not asking her myself.

She’d wanted a no strings affair and that’s what I’d thought I’d wanted too—until I’d spent time with Olivia. I couldn’t think about anything or anyone else now, which is why I’d volunteered to travel to Lexington when Derek got sick with the flu. I’d wanted an excuse to spend time with Olivia again. I’ve spent enough time with her in my mind that enough is enough.

“Geary,” Michael greets, “I’d like you to meet my wife, Brooke.”

“It’s good to see you again, Michael, and it’s lovely to finally meet you, Brooke.”

Michael clears his throat. “I’m not going to keep you waiting.” He glances at his wife and then holds my gaze. “Olivia isn’t here because she’s under the impression you don’t really want to see her.”

I blink in surprise. “How?” I’m confused.

“I may have slipped up and told her you’d been in town a few days. She got it into her head that if you’d wanted to see her, you would have done so before tonight.” Michael shrugs. “I’m sorry, but she’s stubborn.”

Brooke reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Why don’t you surprise her?”

“I’m not sure—”

“She’ll like this surprise,” Brooke adds when Michael tries to discourage her. “I think she’s hurt that you didn’t get in touch with her directly.” She smiles. “I’m not going to say anymore, but if you want to take dinner to her tonight, then Michael and I are okay eating alone.”

I laugh and glance at Michael. “You have a good woman.” On instinct, I lean forward and kiss Brooke on the cheek, whispering, “Thank you,” while I do. I shake Michael’s hand and then I’m outside the restaurant and hailing a cab.

I’m not used to having to think ahead where a woman is concerned, but Olivia won’t leave me alone. Part of me is irritated that I’m thinking about her most of the day, every day, and the other half, wonders what the hell I’m doing. Going after a woman isn’t something I’m used to. She’s been in my thoughts since the moment I saw her, and one taste was never enough. She’s like a drug I crave.

I toss money to the cab driver and quickly exit, only to find the woman in question leaving her apartment building with a man. The sight stops me in my tracks as I watch her smile up at him, linking her arm through his. Blood rushes through my head and disappointment is like a knife through my heart.

Brooke and Michael are wrong—she’s moved on.

It’s been months since we’ve been together or spoken, so I should have expected it because she’s a beautiful woman. I thought of her as mine, and seeing her with someone else hurts. It hurts a lot.

My eyes caress over her with hunger, which is what Olivia and her friend see when they stop a few feet away, Olivia frozen in place. Her companion looks between us, his lips twitching before he clears his throat with a slight cough.

Olivia narrows her eyes on the guy, and after a quick inhale, faces me. “Geary, I thought you were having dinner with Michael and Brooke.”

“I was, until you didn’t show up.”

“You didn’t invite me.”

The guy chuckles and whispers something into her ear, a blush appears high on her cheekbones.

“Can we talk? Please.” I may be asking Olivia, but it’s the guy I’m watching.