I start to respond, but apparently her rant isn’t over. “You think I don’t realize that you don’t spend any time with your friends? Shane told me how close you are with the other guys. What are their names? Dom, Lincoln, and Isaiah? Yet I’ve never seen them and I know you’re not going to see them because if you’re not with another client, you’re with me. You don’t have to rearrange your life around me. I’m fine.”

I’m not.

Trust me, the guys have given me enough shit about basically ditching them for the last few weeks, but I just want to soak up as much of Olivia’s time as I can. I want her forever, but I’ve already learned the hard way that my love isn’t enough to keep her here once our year is up.

“Let’s get one thing clear, okay? I’m well aware that you don’t need a babysitter. I’m not spending all my time with you because I feel obligated to. I’m doing it because I want to. I’ve missed you. I’ve spent the last thirteen years of my life wondering about the woman you turned out to be, missing the sound of your laugh and the peace that settles over me whenever you’re around, so if you think I’m going to spend the time I have with you with my friends who I see every fucking day, you’ve forgotten who I am. You are my priority. That will never change.”

She visibly swallows and I think she’s about to retreat, but she gives me words I didn’t realize I wanted to hear so badly. “I’ve missed you too. So much.”

I want to pull her into my arms so I do. I rest my head on top of hers as she wraps her arms around my middle, squeezing like I’m the only lifeline she has.

“So, come with me?”

She nods silently against my chest, and I plant a kiss on her forehead.

The ride over to my place is my favorite kind of loud. Olivia sings along with the radio at the top of her lungs and both of us laugh at her attempt at runs.

Nerves flash across her face the moment I put the car in park. I don’t know if the nerves are because she’s seeing my grandmom for the first time in a long time or if it’s because it’s the first time she’s seeing my place. Either way, I can’t resist the urge to reach across the middle console and grab her shaking hands. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Her voice is too high and she won’t meet my eyes.