“What’s going on with you?” Chelsea asked, breaking the silence.

“What do you mean?” he replied nervously.

“Do you think I’m stupid, Alex? Because I’m not. The past several weeks, you’ve been distant. And I don’t know what it is. You told me that you were over Olivia and ready to start our life together but, lately, I don’t know. I know you’ve been going over there, sitting watch outside her house.”

Martin pulled up outside the restaurant, discreetly getting out of the car to give the two occupants a little privacy. Alexander stared out the passenger window, spotting the table he sat at with Olivia all those months ago.

“Please, Alex. We’re getting married tomorrow. I just… I just want to make sure you actually want this. Or will Olivia always be your ‘what if’?” A tear fell down Chelsea’s face. “Will she always be your Eve? I don’t want to always come second to her.”

Alexander slowly shook his head and looked at her, staring deep into her brown eyes. “Chelsea, I love you. And tomorrow, I’m going to marry you. You’re what I need, not Olivia.” He brushed his lips against Chelsea’s, encouraging them apart with his tongue, exploring her mouth as he had done so many times over the past several months.

Chelsea groaned and tugged on Alexander’s hair, bringing her body closer to his. As he kissed her, all he could think about was Olivia. That made him want to kiss Chelsea even more, desperately trying to erase Olivia from his thoughts. He needed to.

Reaching for the buttons on Chelsea’s coat, he quickly rid her of her outermost layer, planting kisses along her neckline.

“Alex, wait,” she breathed out. “Our guests.”

“Let them wait,” he growled.

“What if someone sees?”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “When has that ever bothered you before?”

Chelsea grinned. “You’re right.” She pulled his face back to hers, finding his lips as he quickly raised her dress to her waist. She moaned out in pleasure as he entered her. He didn’t know why he was fucking her in the SUV, but he needed to regain control of everything, and that was the only way he knew how.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

A CHANCE

“LIBBY! OH, MY GOD! It is you!” Melanie exclaimed when she saw her old friend walk into the upstairs bar of MacFadden’s with Kiera and Mo. “How are you?” She wrapped her arms around Olivia and squeezed, not wanting let go. “I’ve missed you so fucking much.” She pulled back and took in her appearance. “We all have.”

Bridget nodded, hugging her friend. “We’re glad you’re back, Libby.”

“Thanks, girls,” Olivia responded, taking in her friends. “I missed you guys, too. I’m sorry I haven’t called or anything, but things have been rough.” She watched as Bridget and Melanie passed a meaningful look.

“So are you back with the band then?” Melanie asked, taking a sip of her drink and breaking the tension.

“No. Well, kind of. I’m doing one song tonight.”

Bridget’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Olivia nodded as she took a long drag of the drink Kiera handed her. “Yeah. I still can’t believe he’s getting…” her voice trailed off, unable to even say the words.

Bridget wrapped her arms around her, trying to comfort her. “Hey. I’d be surprised if he actually goes through with it. I mean, after you left, he was down at the wellness center, pestering poor Mel every day, asking if you had contacted anyone there. Hell, we finally figured out you were back that second week of January when he stopped coming down.”

Olivia stared at Melanie and Bridget. “Even in November and December?”

Melanie nodded. “Yeah. Even the week after his engagement hit the papers, he still came in, every day, asking if anyone had heard from you. I was secretly thankful that you hadn’t reached out to anyone there because I didn’t know what I would tell him. He looked so sad, even after he put a ring on that bitch’s finger.”

“Mel!” Olivia said, playfully smacking the lively blonde.

“No. She’s right,” Kiera interrupted. “She’s a bitch.”

“Go, Team Olivia!” Bridget said, pumping her fist in the air.

“Oh, god. Not you, too!” Olivia laughed. It felt good to finally smile and joke around with her friends.

“We’ll always be on your side. You know that, right?” Bridget said, a warm look in her dark eyes. “We’ll always be here for you when you need us. We won’t ever leave you, Libby.”

Olivia raised her glass to her lips, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to fall.

“So, are you ready for this?” Mo asked, walking up to the group of girls.

“As ready as I’m going to be,” Olivia answered. “Are you sure he’ll be here?” she asked him.

Melanie and Bridget surveyed Olivia, a questioning look on their faces.

“Yeah. Tyler convinced him to come, but we don’t want him to see you before it’s time so just hang out in back of the stage. Kiera will keep a look out. When he gets here, we’ll bring you up.”

“Okay.” Olivia took a deep breath.

“We better get going then,” Mo said, wrapping his arm around Olivia’s waist and leading her away from her friends and toward the stage. “When Kiera gives me the go ahead, we’re going to re-arrange the setup a little so the piano is center stage. We want you to be the focus. Okay, baby girl?”

“Thanks, Mo.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing behind the curtain, waiting for her call.

The band did some final sound checks as the large room began filling up. At around ten, Mo stepped up to the microphone and faced a packed bar. “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. Of course, a day late. Thanks for spending your night here with us!” The band kicked off, playing some Rolling Stones, the crowd dancing along.

At that moment, Tyler and Alexander walked up the stairs to the second floor, Chelsea just a few steps behind with her sister. “I don’t know why you like this bar so much!” she shouted so Alexander could hear her over the music.

He turned around, waiting for them to catch up, glowering at her. “I’m here to support my friend, Chelsea. That’s all.”

As they reached the back of the bar, Tyler turned to Alexander and the girls. “What would you all like to drink?”