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August 5 - August 7, 2023
For most of my life, I’d been madly, stupidly in love with her. It wasn’t going away, and I needed to fix the mess I made twelve years ago. Liv and I were soulmates. Leaving was the biggest mistake of my life. I needed to make her fall back in love with me, or I’d regret it forever. I was about to make a fucking fool of myself over Liv Morgan.
Finn Rhodes stood tall, decked out in his emergency responder gear, wearing a cocky, wicked grin. His gray eyes met mine, and every muscle in my body tensed. “Hey, Liv.”
She looked like her head was about to explode, and I tried not to laugh. This rage? This was good. Rage was better than indifference, because indifference meant she was over me. Rage meant she still cared—which meant there was hope for us.
She stared at me. Fucking hell, she was so pretty. I couldn't help but smile wider.
Fucking hell, she was cute. Even when she was mad at me. Even when she hated me. She had this tiny nose and when she was super mad, it twitched, like she was trying not to scrunch it up. Fucking adorable.
Sam Rhodes’ green car had become a strange tradition among his sons. When the Rhodes boys knew they had found the person they wanted to be with forever, they took her out in the vintage Porsche 911, a deep emerald green like the forests surrounding our town. Avery, Hannah, and Sadie had all been picked up in the car.
He shot me a smug, knowing smile. “By the end of the summer, Livvy, we’re going to be best friends again.” My stomach clenched. “Don’t call me that.” Livvy. He used to call me that when we were teenagers. Only when we were alone, only for my ears.
“Liv, I know you hate me, I know I fucked up and deserve to rot for how badly I fucked up, but—” He took another deep breath. “I love you, you’re my soulmate, and we’re destined to be together.” He swallowed, and his broad chest rose and fell with another deep breath. “And I’m going to do everything I can to change your mind about hating me.”
“Knew you’d come around,” he whispered against my forehead as I stood with wide eyes, heart beating wildly. Finn and I were back together, but not for long. I was going to make Finn Rhodes dump me.
“We don’t know why we hate him,” Avery said with eyes narrowed at me as we moved into the living room, “but we do.” My mouth twisted as I held back a smile. These women, they were so fucking cool. They always had my back. I hoped they knew that.
“To me, baby,” I murmured, “you’re the most gorgeous woman in the world.” And that was the truth.
“Been in a lot of relationships, have you?” He stopped walking and caught my hand, pulling me to stand in front of him. His smile dimmed but his eyes were soft. “Nope. You ruined me, but I’m not mad about it.”
“Please tell me you’re not going to propose.” I huffed a laugh. I knew how that would go. She’d toss the ring off a cliff. “I’m not going to propose.” My mouth hitched. “Not yet.” “Finn.” I snorted, grinning wider. “What? I’m not going to push you to do something you’re not ready for. I didn’t make you kiss me yesterday, did I?” She rolled her eyes. “Like you’re ready to get married.” “To you? I’d get married this afternoon,” I said without thinking. “Would have done it twelve years ago if I was smart enough.”
“You don’t mean that. You’re messing with me.” A little frown grew between her eyebrows and I itched to trace it with my fingers. Before I could respond, she stepped into the classroom. I watched her make her way to the seats at the back, where the other volunteers gathered. “I surely fucking do mean it,” I muttered under my breath before I followed her.
His mouth twitched into a grin but heat flashed through his eyes. “I’m going to do everything I can to show you I’m different.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I’ll never make the same mistake again.”
He reached down for a bottle of water and nudged my elbow with it. “Drink.” “I’m fine.” He undid the cap and nudged me again. “If you get dehydrated, I’ll have to carry you.” His mouth curled and he narrowed his eyes at me. “Bet you’d like that, huh, Liv? Been fantasizing about me carrying you, firefighter style?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure. Tell yourself that when you’re jerking off to pictures of yourself.” I snorted. “Liv, the only photos I’ve ever jerked off to were yours.” Her hand paused, curly fry dangling halfway to her mouth, and a pink flush spread over her cheeks. Her gaze cut to mine, and the heat behind her eyes sent blood rushing through my veins. A slow, wicked grin curled up on my mouth. “You love that idea, don’t you?” “No.” Her nose twitched and her jaw tensed. Jesus, she was so fucking sexy, all pissed off and grouchy like this.
I leaned in, letting my lips brush her ear. “Do you remember how it was, Liv? Because I do. I remember every inch of your body.” Could she feel my heart slamming against my chest, pressed against her shoulder? “And soon I’m going to show my girlfriend all the things I’ve been thinking about doing to her.” Her lips parted and when I nipped her earlobe, she let out a breathy squeak. My cock hardened. “Eat your fries, sweetheart,” I told her, straightening up. “You can daydream about me later.”
My mouth was an inch from her ear. “This is payback for the haircut, the doily museum, the pants, and the ugly poo shirt,” I murmured. Her jaw dropped when she read what the banner said. “Are you fucking serious?” One by one, people turned to us, smiling as they read the banner. A few awws rose up. Emmett slow-clapped. OLIVIA MORGAN LOVES FINN RHODES FOREVER Liv glared at me and my chest squeezed with excitement. “I’m going to kill you in your sleep,” she hissed, and I thought my chest might burst. “What the actual fuck.” Her voice was a low growl, for my ears only, but she wore a strained
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She shook her head and rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered. “You’re unbelievable.” I held her gaze. “You like me.” “Whatever.” “Say it.” I poked her side and she batted me away. “Say you like me, or I’ll tickle you.” My fingers dug into her ribs and she let out a sharp laugh, wiggling to get away. I tucked one arm around her so she couldn’t escape, and I caught a whiff of her scent—sweet and spicy. My laugh died out as she met my gaze. Her eyes were warm as she studied my face. “Fine,” she said, and I watched the way her lips moved. “I like you.” My heart tripped like a clumsy teenager.
“I don’t know what I was going to do. I’d been thinking about you for years. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life regretting that I wasn’t good enough for you, and that I didn’t even try.”
“You look cute wearing my jacket.” My mouth hitched and I pictured her wearing other items of my clothing. My t-shirt. My hoodie. I imagined her waking up in my t-shirt, and me pushing the hem up with my head between her legs. Fuck, I liked the idea of that.
Liv was it for me, and I was going to be as patient as she needed.
“How many birds are on your arm?” “Twelve. I get one on our birthday every year,” he said quietly, and my pulse tripped.
For every star in the sky, I had a memory with Finn.
This was so like Finn to kiss like this, like he knew exactly what I needed. Like he’d been thinking about it forever. Like he was ready to take what he wanted.
“You think he’s checking her labia?” Finn asked, and I guzzled half my glass of wine. “You say that like you even know what the labia are.” He snorted. “You say that like I didn’t make you come twice that night.”
My mouth hitched as I turned and glanced at the cartoon he had left on the bar for me tonight. I’d tucked it onto a shelf above the bar to keep it safe. Two birds holding hands with hearts swirling around their heads. This thing between us was becoming bigger than I had expected. Once I let go, once I let it grow out of my grasp, it was so easy between us. It felt meant to be. I smiled to myself as I shook the cocktail shaker. Finn was making me feel whole again.
Finn nudged me. “Book club, huh? I know the kinds of books Hannah sells.” His gaze flared and he lowered his voice to a whisper. “If you want me to read smut to you, Morgan, all you have to do is ask.”
“Tonight?” I whispered against his mouth in between kisses. His eyes devoured me. He knew what I meant. “Not tonight.” Frustration ached between my legs. “Why not?” I breathed. He pulled back to study me. The corner of his mouth twitched but his eyes burned hot and possessive. “I’m waiting until I think you love me.”
It had always been him. My heart burst wide open in my chest and I knew the truth. I was fully in love with Finn Rhodes.
“You’re so beautiful, Olivia.” His eyes roamed my face before meeting my gaze. “I look at you and I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I just want to be with you.”
“I know how to make you come. I’ve had so much time to think about it, replay every memory. I thought about all the things I’d do once you were mine.”
“You’re mine,” he managed. “You’ve always been mine.”
“Good girl,” I said in a low, pleased tone as she dropped the last item of clothing on the shore. I stepped toward her until I towered over her, dropping my mouth to her neck to skate my lips over her skin. Her breath caught. “You’re always such a good girl for me.”
“I love you,” I whispered as she began to clench me. “I love you so fucking much, Liv, and I’ll wait until you’re ready to say it back.”
“Thanks for being patient with me,” I whispered. He sighed, smiling back at me. “I’d wait forever for you, Morgan.”
“I love you,” she repeated. “I’m going to keep saying it until you believe it.” “I’m starting to think…” I shook my head. “That you have feelings for me or something?” A laugh burst out of her, and then it turned into a sob. “Finn.” “Baby.” My voice was soft and I held my arms out. “Come here.”
I kissed her like she was mine. I kissed her like I had been hers for a very long time. I kissed her like our hearts were full and connected. I kissed her like she was the best damn thing that ever happened to me, like the universe had put us side by side for a reason. I kissed Liv Morgan like she was my soulmate. “You love me?” I asked her in between kisses. “You sure?” She sniffed and nodded. “I never stopped.” “You still want me?” I knew the answer, but I needed to hear it. “I always have.”
“Finn,” she laughed, rolling her eyes. “Step into the yard.” I carried her out from the porch, down the steps, and into the front yard. Olivia watched the sky in the east with focus. I saw it, and my heart squeezed so hard I thought it might explode. OLIVIA MORGAN LOVES FINN RHODES FOREVER We watched the plane approach, and as it flew over, my heart was in my throat. “I know it isn’t much,” Liv said. “I didn’t have much time.” “It’s perfect.” I watched the banner continue on across the sky. “Perfect.”
At the edge of my tattoo, I had the artist incorporate her name, tiny and scripted among the flower’s leaves, barely noticeable except to us. Olivia’s name right over my heart, where it belonged. I had told her we were fulfilling the bet I lost when we raced to the top of the ridge, moments before we spotted the flower, but Liv knew the truth. My heart always had and always would belong to Olivia Morgan.
Finn shot me a grin before turning back to the stars. “I wish that for the rest of your life, you never doubt how much I love you, how much I want you, how much I need you.” I squeezed his hand. “You’re my best friend.” “I love you, Olivia Morgan.” I lifted up on my elbows, a soft smile curling on my mouth as I studied his gorgeous face. “Finn Rhodes, it’s only ever been you.”
