Three Wishes (Dreams Come True #3) Read Online Free

so quickly. I’d be carrying her to the car for sure. At five, she was getting harder for me to manage, far longer and heavier than ever, even if she was small for her age.
    “Let the man work.” My eyes flashed at him, willing him to help me. For a moment, I paused. There was something familiar about him.
    He stared down at Ollie, biting his lip. I could see he wanted to help even if he didn’t know how to do so. Already her eyes were welling up with tears. I watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. A shy smile spread across his face. He glanced up to see if I was paying attention. It all came rushing back to me, even as it seemed a thousand years had passed. Squatting down, he passed her the folded linen rectangle. “For you. Dry those tears, Ollie, right?”
    My daughter sniffled and nodded before wiping her tears. “Yes.” Her voice came out a whisper as she stared at the floor.
    “Nice to meet you, Ollie. I’m Benjamin. My friends call me Ben.” He smiled warmly at her.
    My heart beat even harder now than before and slowly I reached up to touch my lips. I’d kissed him. Lord, what had made me do that? Ben gazed up at me, bit his lower lip and I knew he remembered too. This was too much. “Time to go, sweets.” Naturally, she didn’t budge.
    For a moment, she dabbed at her eyes, then she stared at him a moment, her head tilted. “My name is really Olivia.”
    “Olivia’s a great name.” Ben clasped his hands in front of him and I had the distinct feeling it was an act to prevent him from touching her. He understood the concern for germs.
    Shit. I spent so little time around men, if I wasn’t careful I’d be kissing him all over again. This time, in front of my highly impressionable daughter.
    “My mom’s name is Charlotte, but I hear people call her Charlie.” Ollie smiled up at me and laced her fingers through mine.
    Slowly, he stood. “It’s nice to meet you, Charlie.” He stuffed his hands in his jean pockets and shrugged like he didn’t know what else to say, but his eyes spoke volumes. The sparkled like his mind was racing. I felt completely enchanted. If I could, I’d dive into his dark chocolate depths and uncover all his thoughts, but with Ollie, I didn’t see how that would ever be possible.
    “Mama, can I try it for just a minute?” She pointed at the camera.
    Something in me wanted to pick her up and run, oh, but something stronger urged me to stay. What would it hurt? A few more minutes for her happiness, then we’d go back to our life, never to cross paths again. “Sure.” Then I exhaled.
    I watched, completely unable to focus, as Ben told Ollie about the camera and began to teach her some of the basics. Seeing her so happy and excited sparked a hope in me I hadn’t felt in some time, reminded me how much I wanted for Ollie to get her wish in order to make mine come true. I couldn’t be sure how much time had passed, but soon I saw the signs, the yawns, the blinks, and the unsteadiness on her feet. My baby was worn out again.
    “Hey, Olls? It’s time.” I looked to Ben for help, knowing she would object.
    With a barely discernible nod, he began packing up his equipment. “Perfect. I’m done too. I’ll walk you out.”
    My head tilted to the side involuntarily. This wasn’t what I had in mind at all. “We’ll be fine. I’ve got this.”
    Olivia sank into the seat and we both paused and stared at her a minute.
    “Oh, this isn’t for you. I could use the help.” Ben winked at me. Inside, my stomach fluttered. I’d nearly forgotten what that felt like.
    “Of course you do.” I rolled my eyes. “Want me to carry you?” I squatted down in front of my baby girl. She shook her head, but I could tell she wasn’t going to make it on her own. I bit my lip, wondering how I was going to avoid this fight and help her to the car with her dignity intact.
    “So, Olivia, this equipment is really bulky and I have trouble carrying all of it. I was