“You want me to throw myself in the lake...voluntarily?” he said slowly.
She grinned.
“Uh-huh.”
“May God save me.” He sighed.
He watched as she threw her head back and laughed, and he was enchanted. It was one of the most beautiful sounds he’d ever heard. She hadn’t laughed nearly enough in the past weeks; she seemed to carry with her such a deep burden. But he knew in that moment, hearing her carefree laughter and seeing her beautiful smile, that he would do anything to make her happy, even if it meant throwing himself into the damn lake.
They spent a couple of hours eating and laughing and telling stories from their childhoods. Olivia felt lighter than she had since she’d first returned to Mercy. After a while, Theo excused himself to use the restroom, and Olivia beckoned Jackson over.
“Well now, you look happy.” Jackson collected their empty glasses.
“Actually, I think I am,” she replied. “I’ve had a really good evening. Thank you, Jackson.”
“Oh, think nothing of it, though I have a feelin’ twas not I that put that smile on your face.” He glanced in the direction of the restrooms.
“Still, you stood up for me and made me feel welcome, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
“Well then, Olivia, love, it’s glad I am to have been of help.”
“Anyway, we’re gonna get going, I’ve already called an cab. Could you bring the bill?”
“There’s no bill. This one’s on the house.” He winked.
Olivia frowned. “You seem to be making a habit of feeding me for free.”
‘Twice is hardly a habit, darlin’, and I insist.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I certainly can since it’s my business.” Jackson stacked their empty plates.
“You won’t have much of a business left if you keep giving away free meals.”
“Don’t you worry about me, love. I do just fine,” he threw over his shoulder as he headed back toward the kitchen.
The smile faded from her face as someone else took the opportunity to stop beside her table. Her back stiffened and her expression shut down, turning cold and unwelcoming.
“Chief,” she said stiffly.
Chief Walcott glanced down at her from under the brim of his hat. His face was carefully neutral, but underneath she could detect traces of disdain. His eyes narrowed as he rested his hand casually on his gun belt.
“Ms. West.”
Olivia sighed. “What am I supposed to have done now?”
“Where were you this afternoon?” he asked bluntly.
“That’s none of your business.”
“I’m making it my business.”
He leaned closer and placed one hand on the table in front of her and the other on the back of the booth to effectively cage her in. “Now, where were you?”
“And I said, it’s none of your business.” She bit off each word. “I’m not scared of you, Chief, so quit trying to bully me.”
“Keep speaking to me like that, Ms. West, and I will arrest you,” he warned.
