Olivia's heart took off when she saw her grandmother's call.

The older woman's voice was calm. "Olivia, your father called me. He would like to talk to you."

They had never spoken on the phone. "Um. Okay."

"I will give him your number. Call me after you've spoken."

"I will."

She held her phone in her hand like a piece of dynamite. Max looked poised to pounce. "My father is calling me."

"Are you okay?"

She forced a smile. "He's still alive."

Her phone rang. He said, "Should I leave?"

"No!" She held out her hand and Max lunged to take it in his. "Hello."

"Livvy, my girl."

"How are you?"

"Still breathing. I need more oxygen. The coughing is worse."

Max nodded and squeezed her hand. He could hear as well.

"I'm calling to let you know something important. I hired an attorney who worked out a bargain with the government."

"A. What?" Would he die in jail?

"I'm free. The statute of limitations has expired, but I've paid restitutions. I'm no longer wanted and my assets are my own."

"Did you do it for me?"

He coughed, and she shut her eyes and waited. "I did it because it was the right thing to do. It had been in process before you visited."

"Thank you."

"The news might pick up the story. My mother will handle it."

"Grandmother knows?"

"Yes. Sweet Livvy, I want you to accept my parting gifts. Keep it or donate it. It's your choice."

"Dad."

He started coughing. Kyrenia said, "He can't talk now."

Max pulled her into a hug. She clung to him and tried not to cry. "Liv." He pressed his lips to her ear. "You were right to forgive him. The man is making amends."

"I know, but why did he wait so long?"

"Facing death is a powerful motivator. I saw last minute reconciliations right outside the OR doors."

"Did the patient die?"

He chuckled. "No, she had a great doctor."

She slapped his back. "Cocky."

"No, I was a second-year resident. That's why I wasn't in the OR waiting."

She pulled back smiling. "Thank you for making me laugh." She moved her face towards his cheek but angled it at his lips at the last minute. He didn't pull back as she pressed into his soft lips. When she stepped back, she said, "I have to call my grandmother."

He nodded. "Make it quick Cinderella, we have a ball to dress for."

"I have a dress, not a ballgown."

Her heart was beating in a lovely rhythm. Even her father couldn't steal the joy of Max's lips on hers.

She placed her call while Max cleaned up the peanut butter. Abigail reassured her she would handle the press. "If any contact you, say 'no comment' and walk away with your head held high like the strong Browning woman you are."

As she watched Max wash a knife, she felt strong and wouldn't back down from a challenge. Olivia took her makeup case and robe into the bathroom. Her signature look was minimal makeup - the girl next door meets three-inch heels and a fabulous dress. It was perfect for a wedding or book release reception. She might feel out of place as the girl from Manhattan in the designer dress, but she was a Browning.

When she stepped out of the bathroom with her robe on and her hair pinned up, Max was tucking his crisp white shirt into his trousers.

"Do you need help?"

He smiled, but no laugh came across his slightly parted lips. He stopped his task as his eyes swept the length of her. "Liv."

"Eyes back in the sockets. Wait for the dress." She picked up her dress and returned to the bathroom but didn't bother closing the door. Let him look. With her dress on she walked out and turned her back. "Can you help me?"

She heard him swallow and his warm fingers brushed her back as he slid the zipper up.

"Thank you." She had managed with her own zipper for years but the moment fulfilled a long held fantasy.

He had tied his tie, but his collar was still up. "Here. Let me."

She righted his collar and pulled on his tie. Her fingertips brushed his smooth cheek. She stood on tiptoes and put her slightly parted lips on his. His lips parted and moved with hers. The line of men she kissed, ending with Graham, could never compare to Max. Every part of her body came alive as she pressed her legs together.

She pulled away. "Maybe later it'll taste like lemon."

His face gave nothing away, but his words made her knees weak. "I'm counting on it."

She stepped back and slipped into her two and three-quarter inch black glitter pumps. They were her favorite dressy shoes. She looked up and smiled as Max watched her. Lilli might have been oblivious to how sexy putting on shoes could be, but Olivia wasn't. How could she have been when she listened to Zach describe the reasons for his boner for two years? Her eyes darted to the front of Max, but his suit coat hid too much.

She smiled as she picked up her sweater and handbag. "I'm ready."

He had a little pink on his lips, but she liked it. The heat of his gaze made her smile. They were bound to combust before the night was over.

Max walked to the passenger door and opened it. She smiled at him and ran her hand down his arm. "You never did this for your cousin."

"Let's pretend for one night. You can be my cousin tomorrow."

"Max, I'm not pretending."

"Liv."

She put her hand up. "Fine. I don't want to ruin it. We're pretending, but I was always good at it as a little girl. Beware, it might feel real."

She watched the map Max had set up on his phone while she peppered him with questions about the bride and the groom. "There should be friends I haven't seen since medical school.

"I hope no one gets sick in Connecticut, all the doctors are at a wedding."

"Ha, ha. Some are in other states like Massachusetts and New York."

"Ironic." When the GPS indicated they were five minutes away, she broached the critical subject. "We need a sign."

"A sign? For what?" He chuckled.

"A signal, so I know who you slept with."

"Who I what?" He exploded.

"Come on. Can you honestly say there won't be anyone?"

"I don't. Maybe. What does it matter?"

"It matters to me, because women are mean. She'll let me know, and I don't like to be blindsided."

"Are you mean?"

"If you ever show up with another woman, I'll be mean." Devastated.

"I told you I won't have time for a relationship?"

"I've heard the recording before. Sounds complicated."

Max sighed. "You know too much about me."

"Not who you slept with except the one I met at the hospital."

"None of them meant anything?"

"None?"

He pulled into a church parking lot. "No one I slept with at Yale. Okay? Now let's have fun."

"Okay. Maybe I'll meet a cute NYC doctor."

"Seb's not here. He's taken."

"Was he invited?"

Max slipped out of the car and laughed, as he walked around the car. He opened the door and said, "No, he used to date the bride."

"So deductive reasoning means the bride is at least one you never slept with."

When she stood up, he didn't step back. She bumped up against him and he steadied her with a hand on her hip. His voice sounded rough in her ear. "I'm not a whore. A few consenting adults through the years." He held up one hand with splayed fingers. "A few."

Olivia didn't want to admit it was less than she expected. She put her hand over his own on her hip. She linked her finger through it. With her diving board brave smiles, she said, "Let's go to church."

Max smiled back. As they walked up the entrance hand in hand, it felt right. Somehow Olivia was going to get what she always wanted.

Brave Livvy ⭐️