Oliver’s reaction to his arrival surprised him. She was glaring.
“Hello Ryan.” Tia Jane said from where she stood behind the counter. She was wearing a working apron, which was strange for someone of her status.
“Hello, Lady Austin.” He said politely. “I came by to talk to Holly about—”
“I’m out.” Oliver interrupted him. “I don’t want anything to do with your family.”
“Holly.” Tia Jane put her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “I told you, he had nothing to do with it.”
“I don’t care.” She shot back. “Over time, he’d turn out to be just like his father. I just know it. I don’t want anything to do with that stupid company. Trevor can take it, for all I care!”
Ryan’s heart sank. Obviously, Oliver’s experience of the past few days had been different from his.
“Holly, think about what you’re saying.” Tia Jane, unaware of the circumstances, pleaded with her daughter. “I know that was a shock, but don’t throw away your happiness. You love him, don’t you?”
“No.” Oliver told her the truth. “It was all a scam. I’d help him get the company and he’d help my store. It was nothing more than an act.”
Her words stung. Ryan had thought they could have a chance. Apparently, he wasn’t as good at reading people as he’d thought.
“I’m sorry to have wasted your time.” He said solemnly. “I won’t bother you again.” He backed out the door so neither Oliver nor her mother would see the roses he’d been hiding behind his back.
A block away from Hopeful Readings, he dumped the flowers in a rubbish bin. As he walked away, her voice echoed around his head. ‘Your cousin’s a jerk, by the way.’ ‘Trevor can have it, for all I care!’
That was it. Trevor would get the company like he wanted, Oliver would live with her mother, and Ryan would move in with Peter. He’d focus on helping them raise Ellie and take care of Maggie’s father.
Ryan’s thoughts consumed him. He didn’t hear the tires screeching until something collided with his leg. He felt his body spinning and heard glass breaking.
What— He thought as he collapsed on the ground and lost consciousness.
***
Holland finally felt her anger subside a few minutes after Ryan left. Less than twenty-four hours ago, they’d been laughing and enjoying each other’s company. It was true that truth can set people free, but sometimes people don’t want freedom.
“What do you mean, it was just an act?” Tia Jane breached the silence. “You weren’t really engaged?”
She shook her head. “He asked me to pretend for him.”
“But the two of you looked so happy together.”
“All an act.” Holland reached for an envelope to mail the order. “I don’t know the first thing about him.”
“What do you know?”
She sighed, but indulged her mother’s request. “I know he’s next in line for the Gale company. I know that, to get that company, he has to get married. I know that he has a brother and a sister-in-law who live in the country with their daughter. I know he likes books.” She stopped, realizing she knew more than she’d thought.
“I know he’s very close with his brother. I know he acts like a kid when he’s happy. I know he didn’t care if I was a boy.” Holland covered her mouth as tears fell from her eyes. “I know we had fun.”
“Isn’t that enough?” Tia Jane wrapped her daughter in her arms. “He isn’t like his father, Holly. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to that family. He’s the best thing that’s happened to you.”
You don’t know that. Holland almost told her. But this wasn’t about her anymore. Ryan hadn’t once said he wanted the company, just that he didn’t want Trevor to get it.
“I’m so stupid.” She laughed, slipping out of her mother’s grasp. “I haven’t felt this happy since dad died. I can’t believe I said those things to him.”
Tia Jane wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead. “Go see him. I’ll watch the shop.”
Holland nodded and grabbed her bag. But before she could reach the door, it was thrown open and Tucker ran in.
“Oliver!” He gasped for breath. “You have to come now!”
“What’s wrong?” Tia Jane looked between Holland and Tucker. “Who is this?”
“This is Ryan’s friend.” Holland quickly introduced them. “Tucker, what’s wrong?”
“It’s Ryan! He’s in the hospital!”
***
Everything hurt. Ryan wanted to go back to sleep, but he couldn’t get rid of the pain. Reluctantly, he opened one eye.
Harsh lights looked down on him from the ceiling. Everything was either a soft cream colour or baby blue. The material rubbing against his skin was rough and stiff. Where…
“Ry?” Someone said from beside him.
He slowly opened his other eye and saw Tucker sitting beside the bed he was apparently lying in. The small table beside him was covered with cards and flowers.
Tucker smirked. “You dead yet?”
“You tell me.” Ryan tried to push himself up, but his arms hurt too much. “What happened?”
“You were hit by a car.” Tucker chuckled. “According to the driver, you just walking out into the street. Why’d you do that?”
The memory came back and the pain was worse than that in his limbs. He turned his head away in case he started crying. “Oliver’s out. We need someone else.” He felt the tears pricking behind his eyes. “I messed up.”
“You didn’t do anything.” A new voice entered the room and Ryan’s tears spilled over. He didn’t have to turn his head to know Oliver was there, standing in the doorway.
“You’re father ruined everything.” She continued. “Tia Jane told me he did it for your company, so I got mad at you because you’re tricking people to get the company.” She choked back a sob. “Sorry. I was being an idiot.”
She walked around the bed so he could see her. She put a small carton beside him. “It’s cake from the bakery down the street from my shop. Best I’ve ever had.”
Ryan smiled, not caring she could see his tears. “Thanks.” He reached out and took her hand. “Are you still mad?”
She shook her head. “Right now, I’m just glad you’re alive.” Tears were running down her face as well. She brushed them away, laughing at herself. “I haven’t cried like this since my father died. I guess she was right. You are good for me.”
Ryan pulled her hand up to his lips and brushed it with a kiss. “I think we’re good for each other.”
Tucker cleared his throat, calling for their attention. With Oliver’s help, Ryan turned over to see his friend pull a box from his pocket. “Guess I’m still the prepared friend you met in high school.”
He passed the box to Ryan, who passed it to Oliver. “No more pretending.” He smiled up at her. “This time, it’s real.”
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