27. Olivia

Olivia parked in front of Dawson's place and turned off the car. Her heart wasn't beating like a war drum in her chest anymore, but she shook out her sweaty hands.

The Fish and Loaves packing had taken her mind off the call with Anna, but now the task in front of her was focusing in her mind's eye again.

She got out and blinked to adjust her night vision. Dawson's porch light was on, and her headlights hadn't turned off yet. Still, there was a chill in the September air that had her jogging for the house.

She reached for the door and opened it without knocking. After being cornered by wolves, leaving her back exposed to the night was a big no-go.

"Dawson!" she shouted as she tossed her purse onto a cornflower-blue recliner in the living room. A fire crackled in the fireplace, and NYPD Blue played on the muted TV.

The moment her word died in the air, a heavy stomping bounded down the hallway. Dawson jogged into the living room and straight toward her. Within a second, she was twirling through the air in his arms. Wrapping her legs around him, she clung to him as if her life depended on him. After the evening she'd had, Dawson was a lifeboat to her sinking ship.

"I missed you like crazy, my queen," Dawson whispered against her ear.

"I missed you too." Why did it feel like a wall was crumbling inside her chest? Why did Dawson Keller have the ability to absolutely crush her with just a few words?

Dawson kissed her forehead before pressing his lips to hers. The contact breathed life into her entire body, and she kissed him back with everything she had. They'd waited so long for these stolen moments, and it was as if everything she'd felt for Dawson over the years was continuously rising and spilling over the dam. Nothing could contain it.

Olivia threaded her fingers in his hair, preventing him from pulling away as she kissed him long and wanting. Every brush of his mouth against hers whispered silent promises.

Dawson continued kissing her as he turned and walked to the couch. Sitting down, she settled in his lap as the force of their kiss calmed from a thunderstorm to a gentle rain.

Dawson peppered small kisses on her lips, then her cheeks, before moving to her temple and forehead. He rested his head against hers and inhaled a deep breath. "I want to hear all about your day," he whispered. "Your whole week. Tell me everything."

Olivia rested her head against his shoulder. "Can we just stay like this for a minute?"

His arms caged her in, holding her up in more ways than one.

"As long as you need."

She tightened her hold around his neck. "I'm terrified of telling her," she whispered.

Brushing a hand over her hair, he whispered, "Don't worry, my queen. We'll figure this out."

"How?" Olivia lifted her head to face him. "She was upset when she called me about the reel, and I had no words. None. I was paralyzed with fear."

Dawson brushed her hair from her face. "That's a good thing."

Olivia jerked back, caught off-guard by his response. "Are you crazy? That's not good."

"It means you care, which tells me that no matter what, we're going to get through this. You care about us, and you care about Anna too. You're a good friend. You realize that's where all this comes from, right? You're worried about hurting someone else, and it's hurting you."

Olivia's shoulders slumped. She carried exhaustion like a pile of firewood on her back. "I can't hurt her," she whispered. The words slicing through her throat left it burning and stinging.

"You won't."

Olivia swiped the back of her hand under her nose. "Can we talk about that video? How has it had over a million and a half views?"

"I have no idea. I didn't know it would cause a problem with Anna before I posted it. I just had you on my mind and wanted the world to know."

That longing in her own heart recognized the need in him. Hadn't she been fighting against the same urge to shout about her feelings? It was the biggest, most exciting news of her life, and she couldn't openly show her happiness. Hiding it from the world felt wrong.

Dawson cradled her face, directing her attention to his hazy blue eyes. His massive hands only reminded her of his size. Dawson was tall and lean but every inch of him was carefully corded with muscle. The strong hands on her cheeks belonged to the gentle giant who fought off the screaming doubts in her mind with a whisper.

"This isn't going away, Liv." He swallowed hard and locked his steel-blue eyes on her. "I love you."

Her small gasp was immediate, but all surprise dissipated in the next instant. Those three little words were amazing and familiar. So much had changed between them recently, but so much was still the same.

It wasn't love, was it?

It was. The asking revealed the answer in her own heart.

Dawson's smile grew as his gaze brushed over her. "I've loved you in so many stages of your life. I've loved you through days and weeks and years. I've loved you through thousands of yesterdays and tomorrows. I've loved you as long as I can remember, and I'll love you until the very end. Whatever happens, we'll make it through together."

Olivia wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. Every doubt and every worry slipped away in the wake of Dawson's love. It was the piece of the puzzle she'd been afraid to place, but it fit perfectly into the life they were building together. "I love you too."

"Really? I thought it would take you at least a month or two," Dawson said.

Olivia laughed through silent tears. "You've only been my best friend for two decades."

"Are you saying it's about time? ‘Cause that's what I was thinking."

She sat up in his lap and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I know you're right. I just had a rough day, and I still haven't figured out how to tell her."

"We can tell her together. Strength in numbers, right?"

Olivia shook her head. "She's leaving tomorrow for a trial in Casper. She'll be gone for at least a week. It's a big one."

"Then let's relax for a week."

A spicy scent tickled her nose, and she sniffed. "What's that smell?"

Dawson's eyes widened and he stood, carrying her toward the kitchen with her legs and arms still locked around him. "Oh shoot. I forgot I made you dinner."

"Really? I'm starving."

"Steak and potatoes for my queen," Dawson said as he set her on the kitchen counter by the sink. He lifted the cover off a plate revealing what looked like a juicy T-bone.

"There's only one," she said.

"I ate the chili you dropped off at the garage earlier, but I figured you'd be hungry after working at the church."

She reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing hard. When she let him go, he let out a series of coughs.

Oh no, she'd squeezed the life out of him. She couldn't have a boyfriend for a week without proving to be a danger to his health. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Dawson coughed again and shook his head. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. "I'm not complaining. Death by being overloved by you would be a good way to go."

She rolled her eyes, but he probably didn't even notice the exaggeration. Dawson lived in a world of all or nothing. He wasn't a lukewarm kinda guy.

That was exactly why she could trust every word he said. He loved her, and it wasn't a surprise. Everything he did reflected that confession. He didn't just speak love, he lived it. He thought of her when they were apart. He checked on her when she got home in the evenings. He took care of her in little moments throughout their life without even telling her.

Dawson was love in action. In a world of black and white, he was vibrant color.

He stepped to the side and moved her plate to the table. "What can I get you to drink?"

"Water would be great." She hopped off the counter and took her seat at the table.

Dawson had a glass of ice water sitting in front of her within seconds and took the seat beside her. "You want me to pray?"

Olivia nodded and bowed her head. No one but Dawson would be that excited to pray a blessing over someone else's food. The selflessness of the moment stuck in her throat as he thanked the Lord for everything from breath in their lungs to the grocery store that butchered the meat.

Dawson filled her in on things at work while she ate. He mostly told her about how Lyric was settling into her dispatch job. Then he moved on to the restoration he was working on at Beau's garage.

When she finished eating, she pulled out her phone and checked the few messages she'd skipped over throughout the day. One was a reminder about an upcoming appointment with her doctor.

The date in the text message ticked like a clock. She'd forgotten all about the appointment. Life had been coming up roses, but now the frost was coming full-force to kill the beautiful moment.

"Liv?"

Olivia looked up at Dawson. He stood beside her with a hand extended.

"You okay?"

She took his hand and stood, sliding the phone back into her pocket. "Yeah." Her throat threatened to close, but she had to get the words out before she lost her nerve. "We need to talk."