All or nothing (Love in chaos #1) - Missy Johnson Page 0,66
sigh, and she stands, approaching me as I lean against the hotel door. I reach for her and smile when she happily lets me wrap her in my arms.
“What did he want?”
“He's tearing up the contract. He's voiding it, and I'm keeping my business. He told me he's known all this time about the rumors, and he thought that I messed around with you when you were fifteen.”
Liv looks up at me, her eyes wide. “He knew?”
“Yeah. He chose not to say anything, because you wanted it to be kept a secret. He was trying to protect you,” I say, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
Liv laughs, rolling her eyes. “Trying to protect me? Are you kidding?”
“I believe him.” I shrug. “All this time he thought you were protecting me,” I tell her, and sigh again. “And as I said to Jake, if I thought someone had done something like that to my little sister, I'd have done a hell of a lot worse.”
“I guess in a fucked up way that makes sense.” Liv rolls her eyes again and shakes her head, muttering under her breath something about 'men'. I laugh and look down at my pocket as my phone chimes. I check my phone. It’s Claudia.
You want to keep an old girl company on her birthday?
“Who is it?” Liv asks.
“Claudia,” I explain. “The old bird I met on the cruise. She told me she had no family, so I told her to reach out if she ever needed company. I felt bad that she was alone. It’s her birthday today.”
“Popular day for birthdays,” Liv grins. She takes my hands and wraps them around her. “You're a good guy, Ben Tyler,” Liv says, wrapping her arms around me. “You know that?”
“I keep hearing it,” I admit. I lean in and kiss her. “How do you feel about coming for a drive?”
“To see Claudia?” She smiles when I nod. “I’d love it.”
“We just have to make a couple of stops on the way.”
Her eyes brighten with intrigue. “Stops? Where?”
“Top secret,” I tease, taking her hand, “but I promise you'll love it.”
I grin at Liv as she squeals in the seat next to me. Sitting in her lap is a little dog the adoption center affectionally named Sally. She’s not a purebred poodle, but she’s little, white, and in need of a whole lot of love.
“Is it wise buying a dog for another person?” Liv asks. “I mean, it’s a sweet gesture and all that—”
“Relax,” I smile at her. “The dog is for me.”
“You?” she laughs. “Since when do you like dogs?”
“Hey,” I protest. “I've always liked them. Honestly, I've been thinking about getting one for a while now and it's kind of an inside joke between Claudia and I, so it seemed like the perfect time…” I shrug my shoulders. “I figured we can share her company. I can bring Sally around whenever Claudia feels lonely, without the pressure of her having to look after her full time.”
“I think that’s the nicest thing I’ve ever heard.” Liv gives me an admirable look. “Who knew you were such a big softy?”
“Don't tell anyone.” I wink at her. “I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation.”
We pull up into Claudia's driveway. We get out, Sally busy trying to squirm her way out of Liv’s arms.
“Ben, is that you—”
Claudia appears on her porch. She lets out a belly laugh when she sees the dog—complete with a diamond collar I found in an upmarket pet store.
“You didn't!”
I chuckle. “I did, but no pressure. She’ll live with me full time and come over whenever you want her to.”
“Well, come on in,” Claudia says, stepping back to let us through. She catches my arm and nods at Liv's back. “That little lass is the one you should be buying diamonds for, you silly boy.”
I smile in Liv's direction, overwhelmed with a sudden rush of affection.
“Maybe one day…”
The End.
EPILOGUE
Two years later
BEN
“Wow.”
Mom looks up from the ring. I roll my eyes as the waterworks start. I should’ve known showing her the engagement ring that I’m planning on giving Liv would result in this.
It's a beautifully cut bezel diamond set in white gold, designed by yours truly. It’s simple and elegant, just like Liv. I might have learned more about diamonds over the past few weeks than I have in my entire life, but I haven’t felt nervous about proposing until now. Showing Mom and Ebony the ring makes it real.