“Don’t be an ass.”

I stand up and cross the porch to the railing, leaning on it as I look out on the endless pool of blue lapping at the shoreline. I may be putting on a cool and unaffected front about all of this, but in fact, I’ve been losing my shit ever since I learned about the clause in the contract this morning. I can only imagine how Olivia feels. I don’t even know if she wants to be a mother. Probably not, seeing as she eats, sleeps, and breathes her career.

“You’re good, buddy, I’ll give you that, but even you won’t be able to pull this one off.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Watching the water is hypnotic. It makes me feel slightly calmer. But only slightly. I’d probably need horse tranquilizers to get anywhere close to a normal heart rate.

“And what about you? The reigning party animal is seriously going to have a baby?”

I turn back to face Sterling. He’s kicked back in a weather-beaten rocker on the porch, one leg hooked over the arm of it. With no good answer for him, I just give him a cocky wink.

“I’ll figure it out.” I hope.

His mouth drops open for a second. Then he throws up his hands in a dramatic shrug. “It’s your life, mate.”

“I’ll take my chances. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to check on my bride.”

I knock on the closed door of the bedroom Olivia set up in and hear the two feminine voices inside hush.

“Yes?” Camryn opens the door just a crack.

“Can I have a minute with Olivia?” I ask.

Camryn’s brow furrows. “It’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.”

“It’s okay,” Olivia says from inside.

“Fine. You can talk with her for five minutes.” Camryn glancing at her watch and then skirts around me into the hall.

When I push open the door, I find Olivia seated at a vanity, and our reflections meet in the mirror. Her eyes are rimmed in red, and I wonder if she’s been crying.

Guilt stabs at my chest and I suddenly feel short of breath. “Are you okay?”

I can’t believe how much my relationship with Olivia has grown, how real my feelings have become. The thought of her so upset feels like a physical shove.

She nods. “I think so. Today’s been strangely emotional. All these things I haven’t thought about in a while, like my mom not being here, my dad’s health . . . it all hit me this morning.”

“Come here.”

I pull her to her feet and into my arms. As I bring her close to my chest, her hands settle on my back. I hold her for several minutes, neither of us speaking. When I let her go, Olivia looks more composed. I wonder how she feels about the heir clause—wonder if she’s on board, indifferent, or terrified. I’m guessing the latter.

“I’m okay. I promise.” She gives me a small smile.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her, meaning every word.

She looks down at her simple cream-colored sundress with lace trimming the bust, and smooths it over her hips. “Thank you.” Her honey-colored hair flows in loose waves over her shoulders, and her makeup is light and natural. She looks like the perfect casual beach bride, fit to grace the cover of one of those bridal magazines.

“Are you sure you aren’t going to regret this?” I ask, the moment taking a turn for the serious. I probably won’t love her answer, but I still want to know her honest feelings.

She shakes her head. “All I’ve ever wanted is to run this company. My dad’s been grooming me for this moment for fifteen years.”

I nod, understanding perfectly. We’re in the same position.

“And if I have to do it with you by my side, so be it.”

Olivia thrusts her chin up in the air, and I’m again struck by guilt. She’s putting on a brave front, but I need to know she’s okay. Otherwise, I’m not sure I can go through with this.

“I need to know if you’re really okay doing things this way. Doesn’t every girl dream about a white dress and a big party under a tent?” I know for a fact that Olivia does. But I don’t mention that; she may not have wanted Camryn to tell me something so personal.

She gives me a sympathetic look. “We’ll make it work.”

“It might not be the wedding you envisioned, but I want you to know that it is to me. I really would take care of you if anything bad happened. I know what we have isn’t love, and that you deserve to be loved and cherished by your husband, but I need you to know I’ll always step up and be there for you. So in that sense, my vows will all be true.”

She swallows, and I wonder if there’s a lump stuck in her throat like there is in mine. That thought eases some of my guilt the smallest bit.

“Thank you for that. I know you’ll be there for me when it matters,” she says, her tone soft.

“Damn straight, I will.”

“Thanks, Noah.” She smiles at me.

I pull the creased contract from the inside pocket of my jacket. “I went ahead and signed this. So, whenever you’re ready.” I hand her the contract, and she sets it down on her vanity table.

“Thank you.”

I lift her hand to my mouth and kiss it. “See you out there.”

She nods. “I’ll just be a few more minutes.”

“Okay. I’ll send Camryn back in.”

As I head out into the hall, I’m struck by the feeling that maybe, just maybe, Sterling is wrong, and all of this will unfold naturally between me and Olivia.