Her gaze softens so much that her lips become relaxed in a slight pout. I want to lean over, brush my thumb across her bottom lip, and take her in a deep kiss.
“To sharing secrets,” she cheers, clinking my glass.
Sharing a secret might not mean much to some, but to me, it’s building a bridge between us that wasn’t there before. All I can hope is that it’s a bridge she will want to cross one day to meet me in the middle. One day.
For now, I’m content.
The room is crowded, but to me, she’s the only one here.
12
OLIVIA
It’s only beena few days since the worst date that ever happened, and I can’t stop thinking about Dr. Carrington.
It’s becoming a real problem. Being with him isn’t possible. He breaks my “no dating coworkers” rule. But everything about him checks all the boxes. He’s driven, smart, handsome, and a bit older with gray hair.
Fuck, I love that gray hair.
So much so that I’m thinking about texting Mr. Wrong Number to get my fill, to allow my imagination to run wild with fantasies.
How can I stop thinking about how Elias tackled my date? He slammed that guy to the ground, breath knocked out of him, and Elias barely seemed flustered.
“What has you lost in space today?” Dr. Warrick asks me as he comes out of his office—looking like he hasn’t slept in days, considering the bags under his eyes.
It’s not like I can tell him the truth. I don’t know how well that would go over.
“Oh, just thinking about your hot friend laying it on me real fucking good.”
I snort at my own thoughts.
“What?” he asks, tilting his head. “Are you okay?” A frown adds to the stress lines on his face.
“Sorry, I’m fine. Too much coffee.” When in doubt, always blame it on the caffeine. “How are you doing, Dr. Warrick?”
He collapses in one of the leather chairs in front of my desk and blows out a large breath. “Exhausted. My son wouldn’t stop crying last night. I think he’s getting sick. He has a low-grade fever, nothing too severe,” he adds quickly so I don’t worry. “He just wasn’t well. Dove is keeping me updated.”
“Oh, no. If you need me to get anything, I can have it at your house in less than an hour. Just let me know.”
He gives me a kind, yet tired, smile. “I know. That’s why you’re the best.” He yawns, showcasing all of his teeth for seconds longer than usual.
My brows rise in concern. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen him like this. “Your schedule is light today. I can move things around so you can go home or try to get some shut-eye on the couch in your office. I’ll make sure you aren’t disturbed.”
He shakes his head, taking a swig of his own coffee. “No, if I sleep, I’m afraid I won’t wake up. I’ll be okay today. It won’t be the last time I’m this tired. What’s on the schedule, Executive Assistant Olivia?”
I grin, sitting up straighter in my chair. “I like the sound of that. You aren’t allowed to call me anything else for the rest of our lives now.”
The desk phone blares and Dr. Warrick busies himself by drinking his coffee.
“Dr. Warrick’s office, this is Olivia. How can I help you today?” I answer, my eyes round when I hear who’s on the other line. “Yes, sir. Right away. Yes. I will let him know. Yes, of course.” I hang up the phone and lift my gaze to Winston’s. “Your dad is on his way here and it’s urgent.”
He stands abruptly. “What the hell is he doing here? Did he say why he came? He never comes here. Not anymore. He’s too focused on the private practice.”
“Your brother is with him—Wyatt.” It eats away at me, knowing that I saw Wyatt at the bar and didn’t tell Winston. I said I wouldn’t, but I have to say something.
“Wyatt? Why is he with him? Did my father say what he wanted?”
“Just that there are things to discuss. He’ll be here in less than ten minutes. I’ll get the conference room ready. I can have the café bring up coffee and snacks?”
