Right Man, Right Time (The Vancouver Agitators, #3)

by Meghan Quinn

“It’s not fine. I was an ass, and I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know why I’m getting emotional. This is stupid.” “Your feelings aren’t stupid.”

“I knew you were falling in love with me.” “Jesus,” he huffs before taking a bite of his ice cream cone. I chuckle because that’s better than swooning. “But only because if I did, I’m not sure I’d be able to hold back.” I need a comeback. “Just admit it, Taters.” “Yup, I’m falling madly, deeply, so far in love with you, Oliana, that I can barely breathe when you’re near.” “See . . . I knew it.” I can practically hear his eyes roll.

“Silas,” she says as she leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek. I don’t return the gesture. “It’s so good to see you.” She takes a seat next to me and rests her hand on my knee. “This suit looks amazing on you.” “Thanks,”

“Why don’t you talk to me?” “Because I don’t talk to anyone,” he says. “No one.” “Silas, please, you can talk⁠—” “No, I can’t,” he says, moving me against the wall again. When his eyes meet mine, I can feel his pain so vividly that my heart actually aches. “I can’t talk to you. I can’t tell you how I’m feeling. I can’t tell you how fucking frustrated I am with you. How irritated I am. How I wish I never met you because then I wouldn’t be in this situation of wanting to fuck you so bad that I actually can’t think when I’m around you. And I shouldn’t want that. I shouldn’t want to be buried between your legs because you’re not right for me. We are not right for each other.” He takes a step back and uses both hands to pull on the back of his neck. “Just move, Ollie. Please. Let me go.” I press my trembling lips together and shake my head. “I want you to stay here.” “I’m not fucking you,” he says. “Then don’t. Just stay with me, sleep in my bed, don’t be alone.” He shakes his head but doesn’t say anything. He just stares at the ceiling, and I can see his resolve wavering. I can see him considering the possibility of staying, so I press him more. “Please, Silas. Stay with me.” He blows out a frustrated breath and looks me in the eyes. Pain sears through his pupils as he says, “I’m not talking.” “Then don’t. You can just lie down with me.” He scans me and asks, “Why?” “Because it’s clear you’re hurting.”

“Did I say something wrong?” “No,” he says quietly. “Then why did you pull away?” His eyes meet mine, and he says, “Because you’re too . . . fuck, Ollie, you’re too mature, too fucking smart, and it’s making me think I can do things to you that I shouldn’t be doing.” My body tingles with anticipation. “Like what?” I ask. “Kiss you, hold you, touch you . . .” I wet my lips and let my fingers roam his chest as I say, “You can do those things.” He shakes his head. “You deserve better, Oliana. You deserve more.”

“Because you mean something to me. Even if I frustrate you and you don’t understand me sometimes, you matter to me. And you’ve made a difference in my life. I want you to know that.”

I’ll be patient with you. I’ll give you time. I promise I won’t push, and I’m sorry I pushed before.” “I’m glad you did,” he says. “Or else I never would have let you in. You pushing has helped me move past this fear I’ve been holding on to.” “What fear is that?” I ask. “That maybe I don’t deserve anyone. That something is wrong with me. That I’m not loveable, and that’s why Sarah cheated on me.” “Silas.” I sit up. “Please don’t believe that, not even for a second. Because the man I’ve grown to know is worthy of everyone around him. He’s loyal and protective and so fucking loveable. The people who hurt us are the people who are hurting inside. They hurt others because they don’t know how to deal with their hurt. Sarah is the one in the wrong. She’s the one who isn’t worthy or loveable, not you.”

“You can’t be perfect all the time, Silas. No human is. The best thing about us as humans is just how imperfect we are. It shows how we’ve survived, how we’ve journeyed through life. It gives us wisdom and practice for how to protect our future. There is no need to always be strong, especially with me.”

“You . . . bitch,” I mutter, causing her to smile even broader if possible. White-hot anger blisters through me. My fists clench at my side. And before I can stop myself, I grab her head, and I slam my forehead against hers, headbutting her straight into the wall behind her.

Huxley. JP. And Breaker. I know what they look like and what they do for the company, thanks to careful research. I’ve even researched their personal lives and noted that they’re all married.

“But . . . but she said it,” I say, grappling for anything. “And regretted it the minute it came off her lips. She wasn’t gossiping, she was talking about how happy she was, and it just slipped.” Ross’s jaw grows tight. “And the fact that you didn’t give her a chance to explain that really pisses me off.”

Ross shakes his head and gets up from the table. “I understand you’re hurt, Silas. I’ve been in your position before on many occasions. But the difference between you and me is that I’ve learned who to trust and who not to trust. And I can assure you, Ollie Owens is a person you can trust. She’s not a person you throw away.”

comes up behind him and possessively grips the back of Ross’s neck. “She lost everything, Silas. Every fucking thing she cared about. Could you imagine what would have happened if she hadn’t lost you as well in all of this? She probably wouldn’t have had to leave. Although, maybe moving on is the best thing for her.” He starts to walk away, but I stop him, standing as well. “What do you mean she’s moved on?” “Afraid she found someone else?” Ross taunts. “It would serve you right. If you truly loved her, Silas, you would have listened to her and then made your decision, but you didn’t give her that chance. Shame on you. You don’t deserve to know what she’s doing now.”

And there is no doubt in my mind that we have a bright future ahead of us because she’s mine. I’m hers, and it all started with a surprising, soul-changing kiss.