Page 82 of The Recovery Coach
“That makes two of us.”
They sat in silence for longer than was comfortable before Lover asked, “Hey, you know those dresses you got Livy?”
Hazy’s shoulders tensed, but he said, “Yeah.”
“Can you send me the website?She loves them.”
Hazy pulled away from Lover and barked out a humorless laugh.“You can cool it on the gifts.”
“I like having someone to buy gifts for,” Lover said.
“Yeah, I can tell.You’ve delivered a zillion packages here every day.”
“Flowers and coffee don’t count as packages.”
“She doesn’t need presents every day.You’re going to overwhelm her.”
Hurt painted Lover’s face, and Hazy wanted to take his words back.
“She said that?”he asked.
Hazy sighed.“No, but gifts make her uncomfortable.”
“You bought her dresses and a giant ass box of beauty products she’ll never use.And she lives in your house.Why can you get her things and I can’t?”
Running a hand through his hair, Hazy blew out a sigh and said, “She doesn’t like it when I do it either.But I’ve earned the right with twenty years of friendship.She knows I don’t expect or want anything in return.”
“I’m her partner.My gifts don’t come with strings either.”
“Is that what you are, then?Partners?”
“I think so, yeah.I’m not seeing anyone else.Is she?”
“Bro, that’s a conversation you’ll need to have with her.And if you are exclusive, it’s still new.She might feel obligated to keep seeing you—or sleep with you—if you don’t knock it off.”
Lover glared at him.“Do you hear yourself right now?”
“What?”he asked, confused where Lover’s sudden annoyance came from.
“How could you even imply I would buy her things to get her to sleep with me?”
“That’s not what I meant.”Anxiety spiked through him.He wanted to be helpful.Not accuse Lover of treating Livy like a prostitute.
“It’s what you said.”Lover stood up, standing over Hazy as he talked.
“I know you would never do that.”
“Maybe you should remember who I am when you speak to me.Because I know you think better of me.And I know for a fact that I have never made Olivia feel that way.I’m not going to stop treatingmygirlfriend like the queen she is to make you feel special.It’s fucked up for you to claim ownership over gift-giving.And you should spend some time thinking aboutwhyyou’re so worried about it.”Lover stomped his way into the house, leaving Hazy staring after him.
Chapter 29
Olivia
WhenConnorandValentinedisappeared from the table, Olivia leaned into Daisy, bracing herself to do the rudest thing of her entire life: ask their guests to leave.
She would never consider doing it for anyone but Connor.But he was off.Everything—everyone—was overwhelming him.She hadn’t seen him so reserved since they were kids and he was playing on a new hockey team for the first time.
She took a deep breath, preparing herself to say the words when Daisy leaned her head on Olivia’s shoulder.
