Olivier (Chicago Blaze 9)

“And you think I’m more like your parents,” Olivier says.

“I don’t. Especially after what you did the other night. My parents and my grandma would have assumed that Jada had wasted her money on drugs and said she needed to get a job. They don’t understand how hard it is to truly have nothing.”

“I’ve had nothing,” he says softly. “I’ve been hungry. Even though I’m successful, I’ll never forget where I came from.”

“I know.” I squeeze his hand. “I think the best way to explain my feelings is that I’m proud of where I am. My parents told me when I majored in social work that I’d come crawling back to them one day, crying over being broke and miserable. They wanted me to marry Aiden so he could talk some sense into me and get me to leave my job and just be a wife and mother. But I made my own choices, and I love my life. I don’t have much, but everything I have, I earned. I don’t have to depend on anyone.”

Olivier puts an elbow on the table, putting a hand over his chin. “Do you still have feelings for Aiden?”

I cringe. “God, no. Unless by feelings you mean disgust and regret. No, I never felt…deeply for him anyway. When we got together, we were young and I just felt like that was what I was supposed to do. Settle down.”

Olivier exhales, looking relieved. “I’m not wanting to rush you into anything, Daph. And I understand your childhood clouding how you feel about things. I go through that myself. I may look like I have it all together and never question anything, but that’s just not true.”

“What do you question?” I ask, trying to figure out what this sexy, successful man could ever feel unsure about.

“Mostly my parenting skills. Giselle…she struggles with depression, and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. Nothing I do or say helps. Watching her hurt makes me feel helpless. Inadequate.”

His obvious love for his daughter, and his vulnerability in this moment, make me fall a little harder than I already have. Part of me wants to confess my feelings, and another part wants to run out of here as fast as possible.

“I can understand that,” I say softly. “But depression doesn’t work like that. All you can do is love her and try to get her help.”

“I know, but her mother is…not the best parent, and I want to compensate for that by being the best. Not miss a thing and be there anytime she needs me. I don’t know that I can, but it doesn’t stop me from trying.”

“You’re a good dad.”

His lips turn up slightly in a smile. “Thanks. I feel indecision on other things, too. There are times I have to make decisions that cost people their jobs. Those decisions save other people’s jobs, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”

“Do you know what you want?” I ask in a rush. “In terms of us, I mean.”

“I’m a little afraid to answer that,” he says sheepishly. “Do you know?”

“No.”

He nods. “I want to keep going. I really like you, Daphne. And I don’t want to push you into anything you aren’t ready for, but I think we could be really good together.”

“I don’t want to live in a mansion and attend thousand-dollars-a-plate galas.”

“What if the galas are for charity?”

Huh, I hadn’t considered that yet. “It would depend what percentage was going to charity, and what the charity was.”

He smiles. “Why do we have to decide where we’d live? Can’t we just…keep going? See where this leads us?”

“Would you be proud of me?” I ask, my heart hammering nervously. “If we were together, would you be proud of where I work and what I stand for?”

He sits back, lowering his brows. “Of course I would. I am. I’m not your family, Daph. You have to let go of thinking that or this will never work.”

“I know. It’s hard.” I give him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. Can I have some time to think about things?”

“Of course. Take all the time you need.”

“So, do you get hit on by women all the time?” I give him an amused look, trying to cover my insecurities about moving forward as a couple. “I mean, you are Chicago’s Hottest Bachelor.”

His expression turns serious. “I’ve never been interested in women who throw themselves at me. I’ve always wanted to be with someone who likes me for me. Not for money or fame or free hockey tickets.”

“Maybe you should give away all your money,” I crack. “I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you then.”

He shakes his head. “I’ve worked too hard to do that. And when I say someone who likes me for me, I mean it. Even with the money, and even if I lost every penny. If you can’t get past it, I’ll respect that. But you’re the first woman I’ve ever been with who isn’t chasing after what I have, and that…it feels really good, Daph. Everything about us feels good.”