After the fiasco with Liv, I had gone to see my parents. They lived close, and I didn’t want to be alone. I spent a few hours with my dad in his shop, helping him with a project and talking to him about the massive undertaking Bentley was involved in with his latest project. My dad was excited when I asked him to be part of the team I was creating to do all the intricate woodwork the units would require.
“I’ll ask a few of my buddies to pitch in,” he offered, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. “They’d love to be part of such a huge project.”
I clapped him on the shoulder as Mom called dinner was ready. “I was counting on it.”
I was mostly quiet during dinner and didn’t eat as much as usual, which led to my mother’s inquiry.
My dad chuckled and sipped his coffee. “She’s right, Van. You might as well tell her. She’ll follow you home, still talking, otherwise.”
I leaned my elbow on the table with a frustrated sigh. “I screwed up something today. Big-time.”
“Work or personal?”
I met my mother’s direct gaze. “Personal. But it involves work as well.”
She regarded me wisely. “You finally did something about your feelings for Liv?”
I leaned back in my chair with a huff. “Seriously, how did you know?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m your mother. I know you better than you know yourself. You’ve liked this woman from the moment you met her. Whenever you spoke about her, your tone was different. You were different.”
“Thanks for telling me.”
She patted my cheek. “You had to figure it out for yourself. Now tell me what you did.”
She listened as I told her, pursing her lips when I mentioned Vicky. She let me get it all out before she spoke.
“First off,” she began, “you were right to be cautious when it comes to that woman. I remember everything she did. Second, while I understand your first concern was Liv and Sammy, it’s obvious Liv has some past trauma that your behavior triggered.”
“I only wanted to get Vicky away from Liv.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I spoke to Mark, and he said he thought Vicky was sincere. He said their conversation was pretty frank last night. I didn’t know it at the time, and I certainly didn’t mean to frighten Liv.”
Mom patted my hand in sympathy. “I know. You need to let her calm down, then speak to her. It sounds as if she went through more than you know about, and she needs to work it through in her head. I’m sure once she calms down and you talk, things will get back on track.”
“I hope so.”
“You really like this woman.”
“She’s amazing. And Sammy is beyond adorable.”
“I want to meet them.”
I had to chuckle—I knew she’d want to get to know them. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I need to talk to Liv and get her to forgive me.”
“Give her some time, Vince. Don’t force her. I get the feeling she has had that happen far too often in her life.”
I nodded in silent agreement. I hated thinking what Liv had gone through. I loathed the fact that my behavior triggered bad memories for her. I wanted to be a positive force in her life, not one that brought her more worries or fear.
I drained my coffee. “I’ll be as patient as I can be.”
Mom fixed me a look. “Can you?”
I shrugged.
For Liv, I would try. I might not succeed, but I would try.
Monday, I was unsure how to handle Liv at work. I had spent the rest of Sunday evening working on the bookcase to stay busy and stop myself from going to Liv’s place and refusing to leave until she talked to me, knowing it would only make things worse. My mom was correct, and I needed to give Liv some space and time, but I was resolved to at least attempt to apologize and get her to listen to me.
I had added several layers of varnish to the bookcase, making sure to seal in the glitter so it would last Sammy a long time. Regardless of what happened with Liv, I had promised Mouse I would make it for her, and I refused to break my promise.
I heard Liv’s voice down the hall, and I knew we would be seeing each other at the meeting. Plus, we had plans with Bentley to drive to the cabin the next day, so we would be forced to be in close proximity then. I couldn’t apologize with him around, but I hoped she would give me a chance at some point today to speak my mind.
Finally, about three, she came to my office, her hands filled with files. She hesitated at the door when she saw Jordan wasn’t at his desk, but I waved her in. I was on the phone, and I took advantage of the one-sided conversation to study her.
She looked as tired as I felt, and although I was sorry she was exhausted, I hoped it meant she was regretting her decision yesterday. That she would listen to me. I finished my call and hung up.
“Liv,” I said quietly.
“Van,” she responded. “I have some sketches of the new project. Bentley asked me to let you have them and see if the moldings are the way you envisioned.”
“You got it done already?” I asked, holding out my hand for the folder. I glanced through the drawings. “These are amazing.”
She nodded, not meeting my eyes. “I couldn’t sleep, so I worked last night.”
I put the folder on my desk. “Liv,” I prompted.
She looked up, her gaze anxious. I could see the slight tremor in her hands, and it took everything in me not to reach across the desk and wrap my hands around hers.
“I want to apologize again for yesterday. I didn’t mean to frighten you or make you think I questioned your decision-making capabilities. I respect you too much to ever do that. You have proven to me time and again how intelligent you are.” I huffed. “Vicky caused so much trouble for my friends, and when I saw her beside you, all I could think was she was going to mess up the best thing I’ve had in my life in a very long time. I was horrified thinking what lies she would be telling you, and what she might say around Sammy. Her words are pure venom. Or at least, they used to be, which is why I acted the way I did. I know I should have controlled my temper better, and I’m sorry.”
I leaned forward, my elbows on the desk. “Please don’t throw away something with so much promise because I acted like a jerk. The history I have with her overrode everything else. My first instinct was to protect you and Sammy. I didn’t mean for you to think I was questioning your parenting skills or your thought processes. I knew how she worked, and I reacted.” I held her gaze. “If I felt you and Sammy were in any danger—however slight or misconceived on my part—I would step in, because it’s how I work. And why I reacted the way I did.”
“I know,” she stated quietly.
My eyebrows shot up. “You do?”
“Yes. I thought about it a lot. I spoke to my mom and told her. She informed me I overreacted as well, and I wasn’t giving you the benefit of the doubt. She said I was reacting to the behavior of men in my past, not you.”
“Liv.” I breathed her name. “Tell me you forgive me, and we can move on. I hate this feeling of being separate from you.” My fingers flexed on the desk. “I want to hold you. I need to kiss you.”
She sighed. “I do forgive you. I apologize as well.”