She wrings her hands and exhales a long breath.Does she know something?“But she said you were his best friend. And you just said you asked him about her the other day.”
The other day.The other day was a couple of months ago. I’ve upset her for a poor choice of words. I roll my shoulders realizing that Olivia isn’t coming out of the bathroom, so I turn my full attention to the girl, Caroline I think?
“I was.Wasbeing the important word there. And we had unfinished business I had to take care of, so I asked him about her.” My mind begins to race, trying to figure out a way to get in touch with Olivia again, or giving her a way to contact me.
Will she want to talk to me?I rub my hand across my neck.Why didn’t I notice something was wrong when we had our monthly lunches? Why didn’t I push Leo or Malachi harder to find her?Because something is obviously not right. I was so wrapped up in everything I was going through, then healing and trying to get over all that shit. I shake those thoughts away so I can focus.
“Assure her I will not tell her stepfather.” I pull out my business card and hand it to her. “Please give that to her and tell her she can call me anytime she needs to.”
She reaches for the card and glances between it and me. I stare at her for a few more seconds, nod, and walk away. If I don’t walk away, I’ll barge into the bathroom to try to get Olivia to talk to me now, and she’s clearly not ready. I find their server, pay for their meal, and leave. I hope she calls me. Now that I know she’s in this city, I will find her and I’ll make sure Donovan doesn’t.
Chapter five
Olivia
Three Years Ago
It wasn’t him. It wasn’t him. It wasn’t him.I pace back and forth in the bathroom and shake my arms, trying to get myself under control. My heart is pounding, my vision is blurry, and I’m feeling lightheaded. It looked like his car, but I can’t be one hundred percent sure. I thought moving to Mississippi was far enough, but maybe it isn’t. This town is still near the border of Louisiana, and he’s only a couple of hours away.
I close my eyes and try to focus on my breathing.Will I ever not be afraid?I need to get myself under control before someone walks in and sees me like this. Sure enough, the bathroom door swings open. I open my eyes and relax a little when I see Ansley. She’s always been nice. I still turn away and walk to the sink towash my hands, hoping she doesn’t notice how my hands are shaking.
“Hey, Liv. How are you?”
“Alright.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when she goes into the stall. I want to make my escape, but I don’t know if my emotions are under control yet. So I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart and walk toward the door just as she comes out of the stall. Keeping my eyes down, I try to avoid looking at her.
“Are you okay?” she asks quietly, and I close my eyes.
“I will be.”Why did I say that? That makes it obvious I’m not okay. She walks to the sink to wash her hands. It’s lunchtime. I can leave and hopefully be back under control by the time I get back, but the thought of leaving the safety of this building makes my heart begin racing again.
“Want to get lunch together?” she asks.
My eyes find hers in the mirror and I’m met with a small smile. I don’t have friends. I’m not allowed to.
“I…” I don’t know what to say.Can I say yes? I want to say yes.“I’m a mess today.” My voice cracks as I turn back toward the door.Why did I admit that? I don’t confide in anyone.
“Everyone is a mess in one way or another.” Ansley grabs paper towels to dry her hands. I turn back toward her, my heart beating heavy in my chest. She’s not mocking me. She’s not saying that to be mean. Her mouth tips slightly and she lifts one shoulder. “Let’s be messy together.” I don’t know what to say as she puts her arm through mine and leads me to the door. “Let’s take a long lunch and annoy Lincoln while we’re at it.”
I huff out a laugh. “I need this job. I can’t afford to get fired.” She has no idea how true that is, but I don’t expand. At the same time, going to lunch with her will get me out of this building and I won’t be alone.
She smirks at me. “Lincoln seems like a hardass, but he’s all bark and no bite.”
A gasp leaves me when we round the corner and almost run into Lincoln. His eyes narrowed at Ansley like he heard her. She tilts her head as she gazes at him with a smile playing on her lips.
“We’re going to lunch,” she states as she pulls me along.
“Don’t be late,” he barks.
Ansley flips her hair and I swear she flips him off, but I didn’t quite catch it. “We’ll see.” She calls over her shoulder. My eyes are wide and my mouth is gaping open at this exchange. When she sees my expression, she throws her head back and laughs.
“I’ve known Lincoln for a long time. Trust me, it’ll be fine.”
I don’t respond as we grab our purses, and I follow her to the elevator. As Ansley pushes the button for the garage, I realize how quickly she distracted me. She stopped me from getting to the point I needed to release the pressure that was building in my chest. I glance at her from the corner of my eye. She may have saved my life, and she doesn’t even know it.
Present Day
I should be working out any bugs in the app we’re about to launch. Instead, I’m staring at the business card Caroline gave me from Victor. I twirl it in my fingers, my stomach clenching.
