14. Luke
Being in Olivia’s house again after taking her so thoroughly a week ago feels more intimate than I anticipated, but it’s also exciting. It’s my third playdate with Riley, who doesn’t have movie-watching in mind this time.
“I still have homework, Luke, and I should finish it today.”
“Oh. Do you want help with it?”
“No. I want to do my homework by myself. Mom says to ask for help if I’m confused, but I’m not confused.”
It’s another way of saying she’s independent, which amuses me as I follow her to a room that her mom made into her homework area. The small table is already littered with books, crayons, and the like. I watch Riley start coloring before I gingerly sit on the stool beside her.
Immediately, she giggles. “You’re too big for the chair, Luke.”
I grin. “It’s okay. I just want to watch you.”
She finishes coloring and starts on some math problems. I wait for her to ask for help. But she doesn’t. Realizing my presence might be a detriment more than anything, I carefully stand up and back away, then wander back to the living room.
Olivia’s still upstairs, where she excused herself to finish some laundry. After some hesitation, I go upstairs, intent on checking if she wants help—not that I expect it, since Riley’s independent streak definitely comes from her. I don’t find the laundry area, but I do find a half-open room with something colorful inside.
Curiosity pushes me forward to take a peek. Then my attention is snagged as I open the door further and step inside, where I’m bombarded with what can only be deemed as Olivia’s art room.
There are oil paintings on canvasses leaning against the walls. There are rough sketches and more intricate drawings taped on the higher parts of the walls, scattered in every inch that it feels like the room itself is art. My gaze lands on an oil painting of lush fields and a flower-filled meadow, with a thick forest in the distance and the sunset bathing everything with a warm orange glow.
“That’s the back view of the house we used to live in. We don’t get the sunset from that direction, so I painted what I thought it would look like there.”
I glance at Olivia standing by the doorway and observing me. I clear my throat.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
But she shrugs. “It’s fine. I never kept my art a secret from you.”
A warm but almost shy tinge to her voice tells me she’s open to questions but still hesitant. I carefully search my mind.
“Are these for personal view? Or are you selling them?”
“I have an online site for selling. I’ve sold quite a few pieces already, though not a lot.” She steps inside, too, and wanders around, her fingers pointing here and there. “Those are for sale. Those are samples to give people an idea of my art style in case they want to commission me. Those…they’re personal. They’re my private collection.”
The personal ones are the faces of Riley, herself, and others who must have been a part of her life in the past. I see an older woman who looks a lot like her, especially depicted around the well-drawn eyes and smile.
“This is fantastic. You’re really talented, Liv.”
“Thanks. I’m not kidding when I say it’s to relieve stress. But I suppose having the talent for it helps, too, since my hobby also has a reward.”
“And I’m not kidding when I say anyone would be lucky to have a piece of your artwork. Can I purchase that meadow one?”
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
“For the pricing…”
“I’ll pay whatever you ask. It’s that good.”
She flushes, pleased with my comment. I can tell it means a lot to her, but I’m more honored that she’s allowing me to see this side of her so openly. It makes me want to reciprocate so badly, and an idea forms.
“We’ll discuss it more later. Are you and Riley free after she finishes her homework?”
Her brows furrow at my question, but she nods. “We might be. Why?”
“There’s somewhere I want to take you. To show you another side of me, too.”
“Luke, is this all yours?”
Riley is bug-eyed again as she takes in the large building and the sleek, modern lobby. To be honest, it’s such a common sight to me considering the number of times I’ve spent here, but seeing it from her view makes me giddy. And nervous.
“Yes, Riley. It’s my building. It’s where they produce what I sell.”
“You own the whole building?” she asks, her voice filled with awe.
“Yes, I do.”
“What do you sell?”
“Let’s walk around while I explain.”
Olivia’s quiet, but there’s no missing the awed look on her face, much like how awed she was when she stepped into my penthouse suite for the first time. But this isn’t meant to be a brag. This is meant to show her that I’m not just a doctor—and that me being one has a greater purpose.
“Riley, this is where they reproduce the device I patented. Patented means it’s my original creation. Do you want to know what the device is for?”
At her nod, I try to explain in simpler terms that the device is for monitoring neurological behavior without having to go to the hospital and getting attached to a piece of heavy equipment. While it might not be as thorough as the heavier equipment, it can monitor enough to warn a patient if something’s not right so they can head to the hospital right away for further checkup.
I then direct them to the IT area, where my group of programmers is located. I explain that I came up with the idea for software that helps analyze the images the device produces at a basic level, and my team is working on developing it for easier access to the public. Riley is engrossed with everything I’m saying, seemingly interested in the idea of helping other people out.
Olivia, in the meantime, is staring at me point-blank. When her stare doesn’t waver, I finally look at her.
“What?”
She hesitates, then says, “You’re amazing.”
I soften. “I am?” Then, because I can’t resist, I keep going. “Why?”
“Because despite already doing all of this and having everything, you’re still dedicated to being a neurosurgeon.”
I don’t expect her answer to be so sincere and it catches me off guard. I nod, my throat dry.
“I was a doctor first. The technology helps, but it’s just an asset. Being a doctor is more important.”
“My point stands. That’s amazing. You’re amazing.”
Emotion rises inside me, creating a lump in my throat. Wanting to keep things light, I sidle closer and whisper in her ear.
“Amazing enough to let me touch you again?”
Her breath hitches, softly enough that only I get to hear it. Her eyes flash with heat, too, confirming that I’m not the only one not over it. I expect her to rebuff me, though…not to turn her head so she can whisper back, her lips deliberately brushing against my earlobe.
“That depends on how late Riley sleeps tonight.”
Shit. Just like that, I’m hard as a rock and having a difficult time with my tightening pants. I glare at Olivia, who bites back her laughter and takes pity on me as she steps away to catch up to Riley, who’s just a few steps ahead.
The building’s main office provides a welcome distraction, with Riley oohing and aahing over the big, polished desk and chair. But she grows bored soon enough and sends me a pleading look.
“Can we get cake after this?” The pleading look then turns toward Olivia. “Please, Mom? Like the cupcakes that Luke got us the last time?”
I glance at the time, then at the amused Olivia. I answer for her. “Only if you eat dinner first, missy.”
“Sweet!”
Now Riley’s obsessed with comparing strawberry shortcakes to cupcakes, and I humor her as I take the cake side and say that bigger is better. Olivia takes Riley’s side, arguing that cupcakes make for better bites. We’re still debating when we reach the lobby, where I spot a familiar figure approaching us.
“Luke, hey. Fancy seeing you today. Do you guys have a meeting?”
I shake my head and greet Henry Milton, then introduce him to the two. “Henry, these are Olivia and Riley, my guests for today. This is Henry, the head of our customer service team.”
Olivia tilts her head. “You have a customer service team?”
I nod. “Yeah. For when the software has some technical problems and someone has questions about how to use the device.”
Henry shakes their hands, including Riley’s. A seasoned veteran of life, he’s friendly, outgoing, and pretty much will shake anyone’s hand, which makes him perfect for his department. “Pleased to meet you both. Luke hasn’t brought a lot of guests here, so it’s good to see some new faces. Are you customers of the product? Or perhaps you’re a new member of the team?” He beams at Riley. “And who’s this sweetheart?”
I look at Olivia, unsure how to play this. But before I can answer, Riley speaks first.
“I’m Luke’s daughter.”
It’s like a bomb dropping—at least, it feels that way to me and Olivia, if her wide eyes and stupefied expression are any indication. My head whips toward Riley, who is smiling at Henry, with Henry eyeing her curiously.
“You are?”
She nods. “Luke is my dad.” Then she turns to me. “You’re my dad, aren’t you?”
Color me stunned and rendered speechless. It takes me a while to recover, but Henry either doesn’t mind or is trying to help me out as he laughs.
“My, my, isn’t this a lovely surprise? I’ve never met his family in all my years working here—and that is a lot of years—but I’m happy to hear the ruthless businessman we all know has a family of his own.” Henry shakes his head. “It’s a pity for the others, though, now that he’s no longer an eligible bachelor.”
He means it in jest, but I can already tell the problems it will cause if the news spreads. Subtly, I nudge Henry in a corner while Olivia keeps Riley distracted. Then I tell him a short version without revealing my relationship with Olivia and am relieved when he agrees to keep it on the down low.
When I return to Olivia and Riley, the former sends me a concerned look.
“Will he tell?”
I shake my head. “No. He’s been with me since this company started and has kept my trade secrets. He won’t blab about this one.”
She still looks uncertain, but my focus is now on Riley. I stare at the girl, noting the curiosity in her green eyes. Shock is still ringing inside me when I kneel to match her height.
“Riley…how did you know?”
Olivia watches, also waiting. Riley shrugs.
“I heard you and Mom talking about it. And that you wanted to tell me at the right time. You’re my dad, right?”
The casual way she says it leaves me speechless again, but this time, I recover faster. One more glance at Olivia confirms my answer, the one I’ve been wanting to tell her for a long time now.
“Yes, honey. I’m your dad.”
She brightens, seemingly pleased with that. Her expression echoes deep inside me. “Is this the right time, then?”
Oh, this girl. I nod. “It’s the perfect time.” Then, because I can’t help it anymore, I clear my throat. “Can I hug you, Riley?”
Her silence hits me with the fear of rejection. Then she opens her arms and steps into my outstretched ones, her tiny hands grab tightly as she buries her head against my neck. My heart pitter-patters, then practically explodes when she giggles, the sound soft and excited.
“Luke, you smell strong.”
“Strong?”
“Like soap. Not the one mom uses.”
I lean back a bit. “Do you hate it?”
She considers it, then shakes her head and snuggles against me again. “I like it. It’s different.”
Every sigh and cling of those tiny hands unravels me like never before until I’m nothing but putty in her arms…hell, until I’m ready to promise her the moon and the stars. I’m about to tell her that, too, but one glance at Olivia tells me there will be consequences.
“Luke, can we get strawberry shortcake ice cream, too?”
Olivia raises a brow, amusement flashing on her face and indicating that this is the consequence she’s thinking about. I grin and shake my head.
“Maybe another time, Riley, since we’re already getting cupcakes today after dinner. By the way, I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Can you call me Dad? If it’s just me, you, and your mom around?”
I watch surprise flare in Olivia’s eyes before she softens completely at Riley’s nod.
“Okay, Dad. Dad, can we get the ice cream next week?”
Now I’m biting back a laugh. “Sure, sweetie. But don’t you think you should try other flavors, too?”
At that, she pulls away from my hug and gives me a stubborn look. “No, Dad. It beats chocolate by a mile.”
“Who taught you that by-a-mile thing?”
“Cheska! She’s my friend from school and learned some cool words from her brother.”
“And how old is her brother?”
“I don’t know.” She wrinkles her nose. “But he has a girlfriend and always talks about her. Cheska says it’s gross.”
“That’s…” Amazing. Wonderful, because this girl can tell me anything and I’ll be a happy camper just listening. “Great.”
“Dad?”
“Hmm?”
“Will you stay in our life forever?”
I’m taken aback at the last one, unsure how we switched from talking about Cheska to her asking me this. But her solemn green eyes are on mine, expecting an answer. When I look at Olivia, she’s no longer amused but watching us carefully.
My instinct is to say yes. But my instinct also tells me that saying that will only disrupt the bridge that Olivia and I are slowly building. No matter how precarious that bridge is, I want to keep building it until we reach the pinnacle of what this relationship is all about.
Whether it’s just attraction or something else, I don’t know. I have a hard time telling, although it’s definitely becoming harder to resist her. All I know is that I want to keep exploring it while she lets me because I know there will come a time when she won’t let me anymore.
It sends a pang in my chest. But I focus on the now.
“I’ll stay in your life forever, Riley. That’s a promise.”
I don’t emphasize the your, but I say it as sincerely as I can. Riley seems satisfied with it, hugging me again before she tugs me to my feet and impatiently tells us that we’re getting late for dinner. I glance at Olivia again.
But she doesn’t look at me anymore.