Olivia’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “I didn’t get over you, Sammy. I never did.”
Sammy’s chest cracked in two. “Stop. Lying.”
He hated this. Hated fighting and arguing and feeling vindictive. Just when he and Olivia were almost on good terms again, something had to come along and fuck it all up. In this case, that “something” was five feet eight inches of pompous ass with whom Sammy had the misfortune of sharing a family tree.
They couldn’t catch a break.
“I’m not lying.” Frustration echoed in Olivia’s words. “I was young and stupid and let my mom make me doubt myself. I did a lot of things I’m not proud of, but our breakupdestroyedme. All these years, I held onto my anger over the things you said because it was easier than owning up to the fact that I still want you. I always have.” Her lower lip trembled. “I’m not lying,” she repeated.
Sammy closed his eyes, the pain and hurt from the past mingling with a seed of hope. He didn’t know what to think. Part of him wanted to let bygones be bygones, but this was one of those cases where the mind and the heart did not line up. He hadn’t realized how messed up he was from Olivia’s rejection all those years ago until now.
He’d proved his naysayers wrong and grown Crumble & Bake into something bigger than he could’ve imagined, but the knowledge that the person he’d loved more than anything hadn’t believed in him? Had been ashamed of his choices, even? That cut deep.
When Sammy opened his eyes again, they glittered with challenge.
“Prove it.”