Page 57 of Second Chances

Olivia’s eyes darted to the kids and then back to his. “Todd, we—”

“Later,” he said smoothly, knowing where she was heading and understanding that they didn’t have the privacy to talk about it now.

Olivia nodded and stood up to gather the dishes. While the kids played an impromptu game of hide-and-seek in the house, he helped her wash them. Then the kids were shuffled into the bathroom to clean up. While Willow and Simona took a bath together, CJ opted for a shower in the guest bathroom and was determined to get himself ready for bed.

Once everyone was clean and wearing their pajamas, they sat on the sofa to watch one last show together before they all went into Simona’s room and settled down for the night.

Taking Olivia’s hand, he shut Simona’s bedroom door gently, so as to not wake any of the kids, and pulled her out into the living room.

He tugged her down to sit next to him on the sofa and turned to her.

“So, are you wanting to break things off?” he asked easily.

She seemed a little taken back, but then relaxed back and sighed.

“No, it’s just… I can’t promise you that this will go any further. I…” She shook her head and avoided his eyes. “It’s just not possible.”

“Oh?” he asked, feeling relieved that at least she wasn’t breaking it off with him. He wanted more time with her and Simona. Time to explore what he was feeling for the pair of them.

Olivia’s eyes darted to his. “I don’t think I’ll ever allow myself to have what others have.”

He thought about her statement. Ran it over a few times in his head. “Allow yourself to have what others have? You mean happiness?”

She sighed and nodded. “Yes, I suppose if you think of it that way.”

“So, no more kids?” he asked. He saw sadness fill her eyes. “I mean, sure, I’d hoped, but… if it means…” She shook her head. “I suppose not.”

He held in a chuckle. “Okay, then, just because you married an ass once, you think you’re destined to do it again?”

She swallowed and avoided his eyes again. “I can’t take that chance. Not with Simona. I’m responsible—”

“Bullshit,” he said softly. She looked at him, and he saw fear behind those silver eyes. He mentally kicked himself for causing it, but then realized that if he wanted more with her, she had to understand, to know that he was nothing like Brock.

He took her hand in his and pulled it up to his lips. “Olivia, I will never raise my hand to you or Simona in anger. That doesn’t mean”—he met her eyes— “that I don’t occasionally raise my voice. Understand?”

She nodded slowly. “I just don’t think I can handle another broken heart.”

He felt his heart break slightly at her meaning. Had she really loved Brock that much? Maybe she still did? Is that why she was avoiding the next level with him? What was the next level?

“Can we just…” She looked into his eyes. “Take things slower?”

He wanted to answer no, but looking deep into her eyes, he knew that if he did, he could lose her. So instead, he nodded and pulled her close, then kissed her gently until he felt that if he didn’t leave now, he wouldn’t be able to. Pulling away was one of the hardest things he’d done in a long time.

“I’ll let you get some rest.” He stood up. “Thanks for tonight.” He started towards the door.

“Todd?” She stopped him; his hand was on the doorknob. “Thank you for understanding.” He nodded quickly and then left.

For the next two weeks, he did what she’d asked. He backed off as much as he could. It wasn’t as hard as he thought it would be since he had so much work at the house to keep him busy. Both the electrician and the plumber had come out and spent more than a week each repairing or replacing what needed to be fixed.

He’d taken a few breaks and had joined Olivia for Thursday morning yoga classes. He figured one day a week was all he could handle, especially when he walked away more sore than he had been when he’d replaced the flooring.

He’d also had dinner with Olivia and Simona on three occasions. Each time, he’d returned home alone with nothing but a few stolen kisses to keep him satisfied.

When he’d finished replacing all of the flooring in his house and had painted all the rooms, he decided that he didn’t want to put back any of the old furniture. Instead, he sent Olivia a text message asking her to go along with him on her next day off to scour through the furniture stores for items that would fit the new space better.

When she agreed, he counted it as a small victory. Spending time alone with him hadn’t been something she’d agreed to since their talk.

When the shopping day arrived, she picked him up and drove into the city while they chatted casually and caught up with each other’s lives.