When We Touch Read Online Free

around the room. “You’re willing to take any risk.”
    His eyes never left her face. She could feel his close regard, even though she avoided eye contact. “Only if I want something badly enough.”
    Olivia’s phone rang, saving her from a response. She was glad. Whether or not he’d meant what he’d said as a pickup line, she’d felt a tingle down to her toes. She prayed her reaction was because her self-esteem had hit an all-time low. She needed to heal before she involved herself in another relationship, especially with someone so likely to use her without a second thought.
    She checked Caller ID. It was her mother. Nancy had been expecting her and must be getting worried. They were supposed to make the favors for the reception after dinner tonight. Olivia had the supplies in her trunk.
    Sending Brandon a look asking his forbearance, she overcame her reluctance to take this call and answered, infusing as much lift into her voice as possible. “Hello?”
    “Where are you? I was sure you’d be here by now.”
    Olivia allowed herself a grimace. “I, uh, had a little accident.”
    “With your car?”
    “No. I tripped while loading up and hurt my hand. So I’m running late.”
    Brandon was watching her, but she continued to avoid his gaze.
    “How bad is it? You didn’t break any bones…”
    “I doubt it,” she said, removing the ice pack to take a look.
    “Do you need Dr. Harris to x-ray it?”
    “We’ll see. I’ll be there shortly.”
    “Dinner’s at six.”
    She heard the subtle threat in that statement. They’d eat without her if she wasn’t there. “I’ll make it.”
    “Good. Kyle and Noelle are here waiting.”
    “I bet they are.”
    Her mother had to have heard the sour note in her voice, but, wisely, she didn’t react to it. Since the news of Noelle’s pregnancy, Nancy had done her best to minimize Olivia’s previous relationship with Kyle. The way she told the story, Noelle was marrying an “old friend” of her other daughter’s. Never mind that she and Kyle had slept together. Never mind that they’d talked about marriage themselves.
    “Hurry. We have a lot to do.”
    “See you soon.” After she hung up, she returned her attention to Brandon. “It was very gallant of you to rescue me from my imaginary bee attack, but I’ve got to go.”
    “You sure you’re ready for what lies ahead?”
    “No, but I never will be. It’s like going in for a root canal. Better to get the pain over with.” She rolled her eyes. “Noelle and Kyle are anxiously awaiting my arrival.”
    “Lucky you,” he said dryly.
    “Exactly.”
    “Where are you staying?”
    “My parents’.”
    He made a face. “Isn’t your sister living there?”
    She drank the rest of her wine, put her glass on the coffee table and got up. “Until Saturday night, when her new husband whisks her off to wedded bliss.”
    “You’re more forgiving than I am.”
    “I could pay for a hotel, but I’d be a hundred bucks poorer. How would that bother them?”
    “Good point.” He stood, too. “Just don’t let loose on any inanimate objects again. You might break your other hand.”
    “I’ve learned my lesson,” she responded, but just hearing her mother’s voice had put a lump in her throat. She couldn’t help feeling betrayed by her parents, too, because they were so eager to throw their support behind this wedding. She knew they had a grandchild at stake, but still…
    After using his bathroom to fix her makeup, she found Brandon standing at the window, looking outside. “What do you think? Can you tell I’ve been crying?”
    “I never would’ve guessed.”
    She suspected he might be placating her, but she didn’t push. “Maybe I should change into something more conservative.”
    “Are you kidding?” He whistled. “Let Kyle eat his heart out.”
    That almost made her smile, until she imagined the reality of the next few hours. “ I’ll probably be the miserable one.”
    Although he continued to