Olivia couldn't resist when she pressed her lips to his the first time. It took all her willpower to pull away. His hands burned on her hips and his heart thumped along with her, but he wouldn't admit he loved her. She was tired of waiting. She went to New Haven to see him work, and she would continue to tell him what she wanted.

With her second kiss, she attempted to tell him what she wanted in exchange for being his date. Plus one was semantics. He could call it anything he wanted, but she would be by his side the entire time. He was uncomfortable asking her, but she never would have said no.

With the arrival of her brother and Zach, the house had a festive feel. Sharing the story of her trip to Connecticut made them feel like a couple. Even with Max teasing about Graham, she loved him. Lilli had Zach and Ainsley was with Ian, why didn't Max see they were perfect for each other?"

Once in her room with the girls, Olivia smiled. Her and Lilli's relationship started out rocky, but only because Lilli was jealous. She also set up a training program which infuriated Lilli, but as soon as Zach grew a pair and convinced Lilli he only wanted her, their friendship grew. Although she and Ainsley had fun at Lilli's wedding, they weren't close, but they were slowly getting closer. She made Ian happy, and Olivia loved her brother. All the men she cared about had a strong woman to love them, except one wouldn't accept it.

"Anyone famous coming?" Ainsley asked.

"Lola Lazar. She's currently with a guy from the evening news. It won't last long. They never do."

"Seriously?" Lilli looked impressed. "I know a lot of famous people, but she's the biggest star. I remember watching her on the soap every day after school. Will Sam and Callie be there?"

Olivia paused when Lilli mentioned Kurt's biggest author so casually. "We invited them."

Lilli smiled. "It'll be nice to see them."

After the girls took time putting on their makeup, Olivia watched out of the corner of her eye as the other two changed. Lilli stood talking in her bra and panties. Olivia never lived in the dorms or had a sister, but she had gone to camp. They reached a certain age when they mastered the art of putting a bra on and off with a shirt on. They had maintained more modesty than the two former roommates.

She stood in her closet and took her clothes off before slipping into her dress. Lilli's voice had a hint of a laugh. "I remember getting ready for JJ's wedding in Lois's sitting room. Now you are at Ian's home getting dressed up."

"Ian thinks of Andrew's house as home." Olivia stepped out, Lilli was fussing with Ainsley's hair. Ainsley frowned. "I'm sorry I said that out loud. Olivia, your dress is amazing."

She smiled. "That's not news. Ian moved out at eighteen. I love your dresses."

Lilli bounced. "We need to take lots of pictures. Ainse is trying to make a good impression."

Lilli was the only one not wearing black or a designer dress. Ainsley's dress was the most conservative and possibly the most expensive.

"Don't worry. My mother already loves you." Ainsley blushed.

"It's just as well because if she wore a sexy dress Ian wouldn't be able to act on it tonight." Lilli teased.

Olivia blushed as Ainsley glared. "I feel sorry for Zach then."

Olivia had picked a dress with the purpose of frustrating Max. In her case it would probably backfire because he would go home and get his frustrations out with someone else. She tried to take comfort in the fact he hadn't asked anyone else to be his date for the wedding.

When the three were finally ready to go downstairs, there was smiling and possibly drooling in Zach's case. Olivia scanned the men, but stopped on Max. The man looked impeccably handsome. His charcoal gray suit and crisp white shirt made him look better than the Wall Street pricks who filled the bars on Friday afternoons.

Two cars arrived and she and Max climbed in with Lois and Michael. The birthday boy was to arrive later and pretend to be surprised. In retrospect, the houseguests would have given it away. The best part about the ride was being squeezed in next to Max. If only he were her date.

Lois said, "Olivia, in a city full of men, you should be able to find someone special."

She shrugged and frowned. The mothers spent years putting her with Zach, but were blind to her love for Max.

"More crackers in the box." Max laughed.

"Shut up." She bumped him with her shoulder.

"Just like siblings."

Thankfully, they arrived because Olivia's anger was bubbling over. She wanted to explode to let the world know she loved him. She knew it would be the surest way to lose him. He would probably take a job overseas.

Ronny intercepted Olivia as she stepped inside. They arrived early, and as the others went towards the bar, she followed Ronny while he pointed out all the final touches. They had arranged everything perfectly. Ronny knew a successful party could lead to more Dwyer Mitchell events. It was nine months away, but Olivia was considering the venue for the Christmas party.

Lilli appeared with a glass of wine. "It's beautiful. You did an amazing job."

Olivia smiled. The compliment meant something coming from Lilli. Olivia reached out and shifted some bowls of sauce to be more symmetric. The voices behind her became louder. She turned to see the Sumner and Roche families had arrived.

Olivia caught Ainsley's eye and rolled her own as the focus of everyone's attention was on JJ's pregnant wife, Violet. Shaun Roche walked over with a smile. "Olivia, it's beautiful. You are so talented."

"I'm surprised you came. Where are your kids?"

"Ours are with my mother. We aren't staying over. We flew in on my cousin's plane. I hope you don't mind he's crashing with us." Shaun waved and an extremely gorgeous man walked over. "Jimmy, this is Olivia Browning. She planned this party for her stepfather."

He smiled. "I know your grandmother."

She didn't hide her surprise. "You do? Not my father?"

He smiled. "I know of him, but I was too young when he did his damage. I have to say, Abigail mentioned her granddaughter, but I thought she was exaggerating."

Olivia blushed and felt a jolt of excitement as Max watched her.

Clearing her thoughts, she asked, "Who are you? No one calls my grandmother by her first name."

His blue eyes twinkled. "Call it a flaw, but I can charm the toughest old women. If you mention me, she knows me as James. James Sinclair."

Olivia's mouth formed an oh. "I've heard of you."

"All lies. Ask Shaun or Josh." His smile was just a little fake. Olivia assessed him as he sipped his scotch. He definitely had a reputation as a cutthroat businessman. She glanced at Max who was still looking her way.

Jimmy leaned in. "Who is he? I'll volunteer to make him jealous. I'm good at it."

She laughed. "With my luck it would backfire."

"Suit yourself."

She couldn't help but watch him walk confidently away. Instantly, the Dees appeared at her side. "Who was that?" They asked simultaneously.

"Jimmy Sinclair. He flew our Boston friends to town on his jet."

"Wow!"

Olivia frowned. "You have your dates." She looked up to see both Seb and Graham talking to Max. It looked like he was being nice.

"Let's go over." As she stepped closer to the gathering of guests, Alicia stopped her. Then she was surrounded by Sumners.

JJ greeted her. Sometimes she thought he had never forgiven her for sniffing him that day so long ago. She realized she could have just sniffed them all. As much as Oliver wanted her to kiss Zach, she didn't want to kiss any of them. The only reason she kiss Zach was to see if it would feel different from kissing Max who left a buzzing on her lips. She kissed Ian because she needed to compare again. Zach and Ian's kisses felt like a brother's should, Max hadn't. Nothing had changed, except they had all gotten older.

She frowned. Oliver whispered, "Livvy, you need to move on. Lillian's not letting Zach go."

She smiled at Oliver. "Would you believe me if I told you I never loved Zach that way?"

Oliver laughed and walked away towards Ian who was talking to Josh. She rolled her eyes as they laughed with Oliver. Annoyed, she took her post by the entrance to greet guests.

Lola arrived with a cloud of her signature perfume, sold at the Macy's perfume counter. Her latest man looked ten years her junior and Olivia recognized him from the news Kurt liked to watch. Lola hugged her and whispered. "I've come to meet your discarded date."

Olivia laughed as the couple walked towards the bar. The Mitchells arrived. Olivia was surprised their sons were in town. It was a birthday party, not a funeral. She successfully depressed herself with one thought. The obvious reason was Kurt was loved and respected.

As Sam Mazzarelli walked in, Lilli rushed over to greet him and his wife. Olivia stood back while the three talked. She walked around them to greet other guests. When she turned back, Lilli and her friends were at the bar with Zach. She would have to greet them later. More authors arrived as well as the shelter board members and Kurt's golf friends. She looked around and everyone looked happy.

Emma Sumner walked over. "Olivia, I heard my husband was teasing you. He has no right to. He knows how meaningful a first kiss can be."

"No one will believe me that Zach's kisses have never meant anything to me."

She smiled. "I know. Your secret is safe with me."

"What?"

"I sit back and watch the room. I've been watching you and a certain someone for years."

Speechless, any response was saved by the arrival of the guest of honor. Or Ronny announcing, his car had arrived. Olivia always thought a hoard of well-dressed people yelling surprise was awkward, but the charade played out. Kurt seemed genuinely surprised by the extent of the guest list.

The quartet started playing, and couples danced. Olivia watched, feeling envious. Jimmy was by the bar talking with a few of the board members. As she turned away, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Zach held out his hand. "Lilli is busy charming the room. Let's show people how it's done."

She had been Zach's plus-one for years. Dancing together was as fun as playing in the pool. She took his hand, and he twirled her into him. They had the moves with twirls and dips. She laughed and enjoyed every moment.

"Do you dance like this with Lilli?"

He laughed. "No offense, but I prefer having her body against mine." He sent her for a twirl. "If you know what I mean."

She definitely did. She glanced at Max who was still talking to the Dees and their dates. Much to her surprise he winked at her.

Even more people joined the party. Jimmy was a surprise. If you don't know Sam and Callie the I encourage you to read A Summer Thing, it follows The Arrangement. And as always, please vote ⭐️