Read Online The Man She Should Have Married by Patricia Kay - Free Book Online Page B

Britton could make a lot of trouble for him. What will I do if he says no ?
    She kept checking her phone, but Eve hadn’t yet texted her. Olivia told herself that didn’t mean a thing, that Eve had probably not been able to contact Austin yet, but still she worried.
    Finally, at three thirty, a text came in.
    Call Austin when you’re free. He will take your case. XXOO, Eve.
    A giant wave of relief crashed through Olivia. Thank God for Eve. What would Olivia do without her? Not wanting to wait, Olivia told her supervisor she was taking a break, and she headed for a quiet corner of the cafeteria where she placed a call to Austin’s office. His secretary put her right through.
    â€œOlivia, hi,” he said warmly. “Eve told me what’s happening with your in-laws.”
    â€œYes, and she said you’re willing to represent me.”
    â€œI’ll be happy to represent you. But you know, it may not come to that.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWell, your mother-in-law may change her mind. Sometimes people threaten things, then back down when their lawyers tell them what they’re contemplating is not in their best interests. Or that they can’t win.”
    Olivia wished. “You don’t know Vivienne. She never backs down.”
    â€œIn that case, we’ll be prepared. I’d like to meet with you to go over everything. When would be convenient?”
    â€œI’m off tomorrow.”
    â€œGreat. Tomorrow afternoon works for me. Could you come here to my office? Say about two?”
    â€œI’ll be there. And, Austin, thank you. I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have you in my corner.”
    â€œLike I said, happy to do it. I’d been meaning to call you anyway.” He hesitated a moment. “See if maybe I could take you to dinner some night.”
    Olivia could hear the smile in his voice. He really was so nice. Eve was right. Olivia could do a lot worse. She resolutely pushed all thoughts of Matt out of her mind. Matt had nothing to do with this. Could have nothing to do with it. She needed to remember that. She especially needed to remember it tonight. Because even if she were willing to take on the wrath of Vivienne Britton, she could never do that to Matt.
    * * *
    Olivia was still thinking about Matt and how to let him know, without ever saying anything directly, that there could never be anything more to their relationship than there was now, when he arrived to pick her up for dinner that evening.
    â€œRight on time,” she said as she answered the door.
    When he smiled at her, her traitorous heart skittered. Why did he have to be so handsome? So sexy? And those eyes of his. An inky blue, they reminded her of the ocean at twilight. A girl could drown in their depths. He was everything a man should be. Not just sexy and good-looking, but strong, smart and kind. It still bewildered her that Matt had gone so long without marrying.
    You could tell he was a Britton. There was an unmistakable resemblance between him and his siblings, although Matt was taller and darker than Mark had been. His hair was more chestnut, whereas her late husband’s had been blond like Vivienne’s.
    Matt looked more like his father. So did Madeleine, the youngest of the family, who lived in Austin. Olivia was sure that’s why Vivienne had favored Mark; he was the only one of her children who clearly belonged to her.
    â€œYou look very nice,” Matt said now. His gaze swept her in admiration, taking in the black pencil skirt, the pretty pale blue silk sweater Eve had given Olivia for her birthday, and the black heels that fostered the illusion Olivia was taller than her actual five foot two.
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œShall we go?”
    â€œI’m ready.”
    â€œI thought we’d go to the inn.”
    Olivia frowned. “Are you sure you want to do that?” She knew he’d understand she was referring to the fact The