The Right Mr. Wrong by Natalie Anderson Page A

out. She’d never felt so nervous in her life. Not even in that moment when Oliver had asked her to marry him in front of everyone, when she’d been so terrified of the reaction and so unsure which way to go.
    This was a million times worse. Because this time she knew exactly what she wanted, exactly how much it mattered.
    It meant everything.
    ‘I got sent a parcel,’ she began. ‘Actually I got two.’
    His brows flicked.
    ‘You told them my address, didn’t you?’
    He said nothing. Didn’t ask who she meant but she knew he understood exactly.
    ‘I know it was you,’ she said, managing a smile. ‘There’s no one else it could have been.’
    He rubbed his lip with his index finger. ‘What was in the parcel?’
    Her eyes filled before she could get the words out. ‘All the letters they’ve written to me over the years and never been able to send.’
    ‘Have you been to see them?’
    She shook her head.
    He jerked. ‘Don’t you think—?’
    ‘I had to see you first,’ she interrupted roughly. ‘I needed to see you.’
    He froze, his gaze riveted to her.
    Vivi stepped forward. ‘The second parcel was from Nico.’ She cleared her throat and pulled the portrait from its bubble wrap and put it on the desk between them. ‘Did he show it to you?’
    Liam slowly lowered his gaze to look at the picture. Vivi watched his face, saw the flicker of a muscle in his jaw before that rigid control took over again. He looked at the picture for a long time.
    Finally Vivi took that last step forward. ‘I don’t want a picture,’ she said, suddenly feeling liberated at putting it all on the line. Her heart thundered and chills feathered over her skin but adrenalin pushed her on. Finally saying what she really wanted—and knowing that at this moment he was listening so intently. ‘I can handle people in a business sense. But you were right—I wasn’t asking for anything for my personal life. I was avoiding anything very personal. But not any more. Not after...the other night. I’ve contacted my parents. I was scared but I offered the olive branch and I think it’s going to be okay.’ She breathed in deep. ‘And then there’s you.’
    ‘Are you offering me an olive branch?’
    ‘No. For you...’ she paused to draw in some steel ‘...I’m fighting.’
    ‘Fighting me?’
    ‘If I have to.’ She walked around the desk.
    He leaned away slightly, letting the desk take some of his weight as he regarded her. ‘I was an idiot,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry I lost my temper.’
    The smallest smile appeared on his lips. ‘I was glad you weren’t afraid to with me.’
    ‘I was afraid,’ she admitted softly. ‘That’s why I sent you away.’
    ‘It hurt.’ He barely moved as he spoke.
    ‘I’m sorry.’
    ‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘I deserved it. You accused me of not listening to you. And you were right, I didn’t. Not back then. Back then I was too busy trying to figure solutions on my own. It was what I was used to and I was too proud to let you in. I’m sorry about that. But last week I should have. Then you put the words in my mouth—that I wouldn’t want more from you—’
    ‘Words you’d once said.’
    ‘But it’s not only women who’re allowed to change their minds.’ The corner of his mouth curved. ‘And honestly, for me it wasn’t a change of mind, it was more a recognition of what’s been true all along.’
    Vivi’s heart was almost bursting from its speed. ‘What is it that’s true?’
    ‘That I love you. I realised I’d never actually told you. But I do.’
    ‘I never believed you felt for me as strongly.’ Her eyes filled again, this time the tears spilled.
    ‘How could I not ?’ He jammed his hands into his pockets. ‘I fell so hard. I gave up everything for you.’
    ‘So did I.’
    ‘I know that now.’
    And she’d just thought he’d done it because it was a challenge. And that once he’d had what he wanted he’d got bored. She hadn’t ever realised he’d