Maybe as a child. Perhaps when her mind was still filled with puppy dogs and rainbows. Before her parents split she was definitely a different person. Once she graduated and she and her mother moved to Atlanta, Olivia started to gain some of her happiness back. College was a great escape and fresh start, especially with her best friend at her side.
She and Jade had been through it all together. Then they’d met Melanie a few years ago and carried her into their happy circle. Olivia guessed she had them to lean on. She knew she could always count on them for anything she’d ever need. They depended on one another, though, and that’s what made them so perfect for one another. They were like their own little army.
Olivia glanced back down to the image she’d drawn. Not that she was some grand artist, but she’d always loved doodling. Most often it was nothing of any importance, just a way to pass the time or relieve stress. Her planner had random ink sketches all around the borders.
Pushing her chair out, Olivia came to her feet. She couldn’t sit here all day and evaluate life or try to dissect all the chaos inside her mind. There wasn’t enough time for the mess that was her emotional state.
There were boxes to pack and memories to face. She’d finally made a dent in the spare room early this morning before her phone calls and e-mails. So far she had several bags of old school papers she was going to trash, but the pictures were sitting in a box until she could figure out the best approach for those.
Her mother had moved on, remarrying and settling down in Charlotte. Olivia rarely saw her, but they’d text and chat on the phone. They were close, not like they were when they’d first left Haven. Part of Olivia wondered what had happened, but deep down she knew. Her mother had literally moved on. When she’d wanted to leave Olivia’s dad, she had. Then when she wanted to leave Olivia, she had.
Weighing her mother’s actions wouldn’t change anything and Olivia was an adult. She didn’t need anyone, but she sure would like to know how to move forward. Was it even possible to get the promotion, increase her workload, and simultaneously work on revamping a dilapidated airport?
She must have been out of her mind for even considering it. But the possibilities were mounting so fast in her head, and she was the budgeting manager over marketing, so she saw this type of work all day, every day.
Before she could talk herself out of all the reasons not to, she jotted down a list. What started out as pros and cons quickly turned into pros and quickly escalated to grand ideas.
Seeing things on paper always made them seem more real. After glancing over all her notes, Olivia knew in her heart she wanted to pursue this plan. Jackson may not be too keen on it, but moving ahead to something bigger and better was at least going to keep him in the business he wanted. This was obviously the happy middle ground Jade had suggested.
Now Olivia just had to figure out a way to make sure Jackson knew this plan was brilliant and would benefit them both. That wasn’t even the most challenging part. She had to face him and hope he kept his roaming hands and talented lips to himself, because she was fighting a losing battle and each time he touched her, she craved even more.
Chapter Nine
“You win, again,” Jax declared.
Piper squealed and pulled the cards across the table. “You guys are terrible at Go Fish.”
“Why do I feel like I’m raising a card shark?” he muttered as he came to his feet.
“Because you are,” Cash replied.
Cash and Tanner had come over about an hour ago. They’d eaten and settled into Piper’s favorite game, but it was getting later and he needed to get Piper into bed.
When they were home at a decent hour, he made sure she didn’t stay up late. There were circumstances where flights held him up, but even then his faithful babysitter and neighbor was always good to get Piper home and in bed.
“One more game.” She stared up at him with those big brown eyes and shoved that bottom lip out. “Please, Daddy?”
He laughed. “Nice try, darlin’. Go in and get your pajamas on and I’ll come tuck you in.”
“And read my story,” she stated climbing down from the kitchen table.
Cash stood and scooped Piper up. “How about I read your story? I haven’t tucked you in for a while.”
“Yay, but when you read, you’re not allowed to do funny voices,” she told him, patting his stubbled jawline. “This is a serious book.”
He gave her a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am. Let’s go.”
Tanner remained at the table and started straightening the cards. “You talked anymore to Livie?”
Jax opened the fridge and pulled out a beer. “You’ve been dying to ask that, haven’t you?”
Tanner shrugged. “You going to get me a beer?”
“No.” Jax popped the cap off and took a long, refreshing pull. “Piper barely got out of the room before you already started in on me like some gossipy old lady.”
“Call me what you want, but I’m still waiting to hear. You must’ve seen her again or you would’ve already told me no.”
Jax had seen her in person, as well as in every single dream since she’d stepped back into town. And she’d texted him earlier to inform him she wanted to sit down and discuss the airport. Heaven help him, she was going to test every bit of patience he had.
“No, wait. Don’t say anything.” Tanner stood and circled the table. “Cash will want to hear this too.”
He nudged Jax out of the way and took his own beer out of the fridge. Jax hadn’t told his cousins about the idea Livie had run by
