“I hope so.” It was doubtful.
“If he doesn’t, you’re not going to make us leave again, are you?”
“No, honey.” Olivia assured her. “I told you before we were done running, unless it was life threatening. A broken heart isn’t life threatening.” Olivia gasped, when she realized what she said. A broken heart. She was falling in love with Heath. Damn, the one thing she had been trying to avoid for the past ten years, and Heath did it without her even realizing it.
“Mom?” Ivy asked concerned, when Olivia just stared off in thought.
“We aren’t running. Tomorrow, I’m going to look for another job that pays more.”
“What about Kathy? Will I not get to see Susan anymore?” Ivy asked worried, stepping back, like she needed distance to take a heavy blow.
“Of course not. Your friendship with Susan won’t change. If we’re going to live in a different place with two bedrooms though, I need to make more money than I’m making in the diner. You’ll still see Susan at school.”
“What about your ID and everything we’ve been doing to keep a low profile?”
Olivia scrubbed a hand over her face. It was the same thing she had been asking herself. “I don’t know yet, but what I do know is we can’t live here forever.” Olivia had an idea, but it was risky. Either who she was thinking about calling would help her or turn her in. She needed time to think if it was worth it, but first, she needed to go outside and talk to Heath. “I’ll be back.” Olivia kissed the top of Ivy’s head and left, closing the door behind her. The walls were thin enough Ivy could still probably hear them, but it was better than nothing. Olivia took a deep breath and headed outside.
Chapter 23
Olivia stepped out onto the front steps and saw Heath, standing next to his car, waiting for her. The air was cooler, making her wish she had grabbed a jacket, before coming out, but she didn’t want to delay this talk any more. Heath was already looking anxious. He looked up at her, when she stepped out, and his eyes softened. She was momentarily awestruck, forgetting he was angry with her. Heath was so handsome. So virile. He was loyal and protective.
The past few days with him had been a dream, but now, it was time to wake up. Heath wasn’t the forever kind of guy, and he had told her several times. Having a child just expedited their separation.
Heath’s eyes turned hard and cold again.
“Are you ready to talk?”
“Yes,” she answered, taking a shuddering breath. She wrapped her arms around herself, not only to keep warm, but to ward herself against the harsh words she was sure he would flay her with.
Olivia stepped down the stairs to stand next to him, mirroring his actions by leaning on the car. “So, talk.”
Heath turned his head to look at her. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a daughter?”
Olivia was ready for the direct question. Heath was a straight shooter always getting straight to the point. This was also a conversation she had been preparing herself for, for the past week. “Would it have changed anything?”
Heath’s silence was all the answer she needed. Heath was already afraid of commitment; adding a child into the equation, made things worse for him. He didn’t want the responsibility, nor did it allow much time for intimacy.
“You still should have told me.” He said after a moment.
“I should have, and you’re right.” She looked down at her feet in shame.
“Then why didn’t you?”
That was a good question. Why hadn’t she? There were so many reasons why. “For many reasons.”
“Like what? Give me an example. I’m trying to understand.” Heath raked his fingers through his hair. She was starting to learn he did that when frustrated. She felt she owned him the truth, at least, some of it. She had never been good at hiding her feelings, anyway. He might as well know.
“The first time I met you, you know I disliked you. I thought you were too cocky and arrogant. Reminding me too much of my ex for comfort.” Heath backed down, knowing who she meant. There was only one ex she ever mentioned. “I had just moved here a little over a month ago, I just got out of a bad relationship, and you came in like you owned the place and told me you could rock my world.”
“I didn’t say that.” He defended.
“Something to that affect.” Olivia waved away. “I could have said something then, but I didn’t. I assumed you’d go away on your own and find another conquest. Then, you kept coming in, and I secretly enjoyed the attention. When you stepped in to protect me from that customer, you acted like I was a person and not a slab of meat to be bought, and I saw a different side of you. One that wasn’t the smooth talker just trying to win me over to your bed. I saw someone that cares about others. And even though I pushed you away all those times, I started enjoying when you came to the diner and actually looked forward to it.” She admitted bashfully.
“You’ve seen more sides of me than even my own friends have.” Heath looked away.
“I’m sure they’ve seen more of you than you realize. There’s more to you than just an endless line of women.” Anyone who spent more than a day with him knew there was more to him then met the eye.
Heath’s lip twitched, as if he were hiding a smile. “If you enjoyed me coming, then why didn’t you agree to go out with me the hundreds of times I asked you out?”
