She bites her bottom lip and looks out my office window for a few seconds.
“When I first became friends with you and Ansley, I was self absorbed. I had been isolated for so long and I know that’s not an excuse, but it was a self defense tactic, I think. If I looked out for myself and didn’t care for others, I couldn’t get hurt. You know?”
She looks back at me. I nod, not sure what she’s getting at, but I do understand what she means more than she probably realizes.
“And now,” her voice cracks slightly. She cries easily these days. “Bailey and I are close again. She has Bec and I don’t think she’s ever had friends like she does now. Ansley is back from Atlanta.” She gives me a watery smile. “We’ve created this family, you know?”
Emotion wraps around my heart.
“Something is going on with you. I know you have secrets. It’s one of the reasons you don’t like to talk about yourself and it’s fine. I’m not here to push you to tell me anything you don’t want to. But I want you to know I’m your friend. Your sister by choice. I love you and if you ever need anything, I’m here. Okay?”
I nod, unable to speak right now. She caught me off guard and this week has been a rough one. I’ve been avoiding Victor, but it also feels like he’s avoiding me because he hasn’t eaten lunch with me like he normally does. For the first time since all of this started, I want to tell someone about this weird relationship we have, but don’t know how to explain it.
“I like Victor,” I finally say. “A lot.” I think I’m in love with him, but don’t say that.
Caroline tilts her head at me and smiles. “I’m pretty sure he likes you too.” I shrug one shoulder, not sure what to say. “He’ll come around. Just like Lincoln did.”
I nod. Part of me feels like this is the beginning of the end. I finally voiced to Victor that I wanted him to try, but he didn’t. Why didn’t he? For the first time in months, that ball of tension returns to my stomach.
It’s Friday.Does he want me to come over this weekend?Maybe it’s over and he’s trying to figure out a way to tell me. Caroline stands and walks around my desk to give me a hug before saying she has to go to the bathroom. The rest of the day, I replay every single moment that happened last weekend with Victor.
Walking out to the lobby at the end of the day, I have to hide my disappointment when I see Lane instead of Victor. “Hey, Liv. Victor had a slight hiccup at one of his construction sites. So, he had to go take care of it. He told me to take you home and he’ll let me know when he’s done so I can take you to the house.” I smile and nod.
Victor has his hand in so many pots it’s amazing he has time to do anything. He started out in construction. The guy he has running it now pretty much does it all, so Victor can focus on his restaurants. Occasionally he does have to go take care of things. As soon as we get to my house, I smile. I’ll go work in my garden while I wait. I still haven’t planted anything at Victor’s house.
He told me we’d go buy things for me to do it, but that was months ago and he still hasn’t done it. It’s one of the reasons I think all of this is probably temporary for him. Of course, I haven’t said anything. But he could have changed his mind. It is his house, after all. I change into jeans and a T-shirt. My phone vibrates right as I’m about to go outside. Connor’s name flashes on it. Why is he calling me?
“Hello?” I answer.
“Bailey has been attacked by some fucker that’s been stalking her,” he says in a way of greeting. My heart stops beating and I reach out to grab the counter so I don’t fall. I hear Caroline in the background crying. “Don’t go to her house, but I’m trying to call everyone to let them know.”
“W-what should I do?” I ask. My eyes dart around the kitchen. “I need to be there for Caroline.”
“Meet us at the hospital. I’m sure she’ll have to go there to get checked out.” He doesn’t wait for me to answer before hanging up. I lock the back door, grab my purse, and car keys, not thinking about Lane being in the car outside, then race to my car and back out of my driveway. My phone begins ringing.
“Hello?” I answer, not looking at the caller.
“Where the hell are you going?” Lane asks.
“My best friend’s sister was just attacked. I’m going to the hospital,” I tell him.
“Shit. I’ll follow you and let Victor know.”
Not responding, I hang up and force myself to do the speed limit on the way to the hospital.
Unlocking my front door, I motion for Bec to come in. She glances around and offers me a small smile. “You have a nice home,” she says.
“Thanks.” Tonight turned into something much worse than was expected. The guy that attacked Bailey was going to try to shoot her. Connor got there just as it was about to happen and jumped in front of her. He took the bullet. So, now they’re both in the hospital. Bailey woke up before we left. Connor, though, he’s in the ICU and hasn’t woken up yet.
Bec is not handling it well. Apparently, she’s loved him since she met him. They’re best friends, but nothing’s happened between the two of them. Not yet anyway. I’ve received a dozen texts from Victor, but haven’t answered any of them. I’m being a brat, but I’m so upset with him and hurt. Honestly, I just don’t want to talk to him right now. Maybe he’ll actually punish me for it.
Once I get Bec settled in the guest bedroom, I walk to my room and close the door, then lean against it. My phone vibrates again and I sigh. I lift it and swipe it open.
Victor: Call me. NOW.
I can hear his Dom voice through the text. He’s pissed, but for once I don’t care. Since we signed that damn contract, even before that, I have wanted to be so good for him. Eventually hoping more would happen. Was I scared? Yes. But I trust him. Looking at his text again, I can’t keep avoiding him. So, I press the green button next to his name. He answers before the first ring even finishes.
“Olivia,” he answers. He is not happy.
