27. Olivia
“Mom, will Dad no longer come over to spend the night?”
I’ve been waiting for Riley to ask that question and the day has finally come. I close my eyes briefly, gathering strength behind my lids before I open them and face her curiosity. There’s no sadness there—thankfully, because Luke has been doing his best to call her whenever he can and assure her how excited he is over their next playdate.
And me?
Let’s just say I’ve been trying not to listen in and hear his voice because hearing his voice sends a deep ache inside me that practically turns me inconsolable. Especially at night.
But Riley’s no fool. We might be shielding her as much as we can, but she still picks up on things, much like she picked up on Luke being her father before we were even ready to tell her. She studies me now, waiting for my response and probably prepared with more questions.
“I’m afraid he’s very busy lately, sweetie, so he might not spend the night here as much. Or at all. But you can spend the night at his place when he’s free. I’m sure he would love that.”
And it’s the most I can give him after…everything. I’m still not over the broken look he gave me when I told him I wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Hell, I’m still not over a lot of things.
He was so hurt that I wanted to take everything back and tell him the truth. But I stayed strong—and yes, cold—my desire to keep him protected winning over any temptation. I guess love just does that.
Love also makes it impossible to function sometimes, especially when you have a broken heart. But that’s an aftermath I have to deal with.
“Are you two together, Mom?”
Like I said, my daughter is no fool. It might seem like a random string of questions, but I can tell her mind is connecting things.
God, how do I answer this one? I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“We’re together in the sense that we’re a unit. For you. We’ll always be your parents, so that means we are doing our best to get along.”
“So you had a fight?”
Her expression clears as if she just figured out a mystery. I’m torn between a laugh and a groan, but I tamp both down.
“Kind of. But not a big fight. Just a misunderstanding. You know how people have misunderstandings all the time?”
She nods. “They make up.”
“Yeah. But sometimes they don’t. And that’s okay.”
“Do you miss him?”
Terribly. Like there’s a space in my heart just waiting for him, despite knowing that I might have lost him already. I don’t want to think about the latter too much for fear of breaking down—something I can’t afford to do yet, not with so many things relying on me.
Riley’s happiness. Luke’s moving on.
My next step in life.
“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that it won’t affect how we feel about you and neither of us will ever leave you.”
Riley mulls over my answer. I brace myself, then feel my shoulders losing all the tension when she finally nods and brightens.
“I’ll never leave you, Mom. And Dad, too. And I love you both the same amount, even if you don’t get along.”
My God. I’ve been blessed with the sweetest girl there is. I hug her tightly, trying not to blubber as her cozy warmth comforts me.
“I love you, too, sweetie. I love you like the galaxy.”
That makes her giggle. “But Mom, the galaxy is so big!”
“I know. Now I’m going to give you galaxy-sized kisses.”
Which turns into more giggles and me making all kinds of silly kissing noises. It’s enough to have this girl’s love because, again, this has to be fate—and things will still fall into place and my heart will mend itself again as long as I hang on and put on a brave face.
It has to.
I’m nervous on my way to the museum, mostly because Jennifer’s words over the phone earlier are still overwhelming and unbelievable.
“Listen, I appreciate you telling me about you and Luke no longer seeing each other, but it doesn’t matter. Believe me when I say that I’m thankful he urged me to check out your website, but it’s your talent that kept me hooked—and you. I’m sorry to hear about your resignation, too, but I can’t lie and say that I’m not happy it got you painting me a piece this quickly. Come over. I have three more interested clients and one will be visiting today. You might like what they have to say.”
Can it be? Is this just a streak of luck that will run out soon, or will this be a continuous thing that can sustain me and Riley in the meantime? I’m not saying I won’t be applying to another hospital soon but for now…
I take a deep breath when I climb the steps to the museum, my fingers brushing my hair and patting down any wrinkles on my dress. I text Jennifer that I’ve arrived, and she texts back within seconds to direct me to the back of the museum, where her second office is. It’s already familiar to me since I’ve had two more client meetings here after my first one, but her next text stops me in my tracks.
The client is already in the office. Just go in. Please don’t be mad.
Why would I be mad? I paste on a smile and open the door?—
And her text makes so much more sense now.
Still, I can’t stop staring. Neither can Luke as he shoots up from his chair at my entrance, those dark eyes trailing from my head to toe—no, devouring me. My heart spikes and my breathing stutters, trying to comprehend his presence and the pure magnetism that I’ve been absent from in…gosh, has it only been two weeks?
It feels longer. It’s my first time seeing him since our confrontation at my apartment door, where he was brimming with outrage and despair. But all I see now, aside from those devouring eyes, are the bags under them, the hollowness of his cheeks, the gauntness of his features.
Worry sweeps in. I take a step closer before I can think about it. “What’s wrong? Why do you look like that?”
He blinks. “Like what?”
“Like you haven’t gotten any sleep and…”
I trail off when his jaw clenches and his muscles tense, disbelief sparking on his face. “You really have to ask?” A short laugh comes out, jolting my stomach before he’s back with that look of despair. “Liv…”
I can’t do this again. I can’t be faced with that Luke and not give in this time—not when I’m already feeling this vulnerable at just one look. I clear my throat.
“What are you doing here? Why is Jen saying that you’re my client?”
Luke searches my gaze. I brace for his accusations and questions like before but am surprised when his expression suddenly clears. Then he nods briskly.
“Because I am. One of, anyway, from what I heard. Congratulations on your other clients.”
Oh. Is this going where I think it’s going?
“Thanks. So…you’re here for a commission?”
He nods again. “Yes, I am.”
Oh. It is going where I think it’s going. I should be relieved.
So why the hell am I disappointed?
Just get through this. Keep calm.
I swallow my heartache and dry throat, and any expectation that this is something else until my professional mode can come out and take over. I stick to it like a burr, desperate to just get this over with.
“Right. Of course.”
“I need several paintings to lighten up my building.” His voice is no-nonsense. “You’ve been there. It’s all white and sterile, and I want to change it. Make it more colorful, lively…welcoming.”
“I see.” A memory of me and Riley visiting comes to mind before I block it and focus on what he’s talking about. I even envision it in my head. “What’s the plan?”
“Huge paintings lining up the lobby walls. Then, more muted paintings lining up the inside offices, including the customer service and lab section to cheer my employees up.”
I’m not going to lie. The more I envision it, the more it excites me to do something about it—to make a change to his company interior and bring it to life. I think it over before I finally nod.
“We can do that. Timeframe?”
“Within a year, hopefully. But we can discuss lengthening that timeframe. I don’t mind at all.”
A softness caresses his words, making me shiver. But it must be my imagination because he still looks no-nonsense.
But more time with Luke? While not getting to be anything more than business associates?
Shit.
I mind. I really mind.
But I also have to get through this with grace. For Riley. For myself.
For Luke.
Keep calm.
“I’m sure I can cut the timeframe. Anyway, we can discuss the details over the phone or email, including the designs you want. Whichever you prefer.”
He opens his mouth, then closes it. I brace for him to offer his hand for a handshake and am relieved when he only takes a deep breath.
Please let this be over?—
“There’s more.”
Keep. Calm.
“Yes?”
“I want to ask for your hand in marriage.”
I’m looking at his moving hand. It’s the only reason why it takes longer for his words to register. Then his words punch me, and I’m looking at his hand at the same time, now held out with a gold ring and a sparkling diamond at the center.
And his eyes—they’re no longer no-nonsense. They’re boring into mine with an intensity that can compete with the sun.
“What?”
“I want you as my wife. I want the honor of being your husband. I want to be with you and Riley because my life is white and sterile, too, and you…you provide it color. You make it lively and welcoming—you give it heart, Liv. You make my heart beat, and I’ve been so miserable without you.”
Oh. Oh.
Oh, God.
I wish I could be strong against this, but it’s impossible. It’s too much. My heart caves in like a fragile house of cards with just one tap, but horror follows it when I remember the things I did.
This man loves me. He loves me, clear as day, and I have to tell him the truth. I owe it to him.
“Luke, there’s something I have to tell you…”
To my shock, he shakes his head. “I already know everything. James confessed to coercing you to resign, and Mark confessed to taking those pictures.”
“They…what?” My brain stutters at the information overload before it latches on to one thing. “Mark?”
“Yes. Mr. Asshole himself. Who your friends Wanda and Maria dumped hot water on, by the way. But I took care of the rest myself.”
Oh, yeah, my brain is still stuttering. I take a deep, calming breath.
“Please explain from the beginning.”
And he does, no questions asked.
“I talked to James. I told him he was unfair for making you resign when I should have been held responsible, and he gave me heaps of excuses, from the lawsuit to my reputation in tatters if everyone found out.” A pause. “So, I returned the favor and told him I’d be pulling my products from the hospital if he didn’t tell HR what he did and continued covering up for what Mark did. Oh, and before all that, I told HR we have a kid—we were already connected way before you were hired and did our jobs with no lapses. They were shocked, to say the least, but they saw all the records and agreed that our jobs weren’t affected by our relationship.”
“Oh.” Again, I latch on to one thing, my curiosity getting the better of me. “What did Mark do?”
“It turns out you’re not the only one he tried to get to sleep with him. He’s just good at hiding it. And James is just good at turning a blind eye because apparently, Mark is such a good doctor and they don’t want to lose him.” Amusement glitters in his features. Or maybe it’s smugness. “I’m just better, so now he gets what he deserves..”
I don’t know what this means for Mark. Was he fired? To be honest, I don’t care—I’m just relieved he got exposed and will no longer prey on other unwilling women like me.
“Luke…”
“Anyway, you’ve been cleared and you can return anytime if you want the job. James is very sorry and will be very welcoming if you do. Either way, your working there will no longer be an issue since I’ve resigned.”
God. It’s like getting whiplash. “You what? Luke…”
He shrugs. “It’s the best hospital in the state for me, but I’m fine working in other places since they also offer great facilities. I have connections and I can still land on my own two feet. That’s what power does and I’ve decided to wield it. But that power, it doesn’t matter, Liv. I could have no hospital accepting me right now, and I would still choose to step back.”
“Luke…” Because he loves me. But I still ask, anyway. “Why?”
Just like that, the intensity in his eyes magnify into such pure light, the love clear and bright. I stagger from the emotions brimming from him and sweeping me off my feet, even more so when he finally answers.
“Because I don’t mind losing the job, Liv, or my career. But I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
I open my mouth, but no words come out. Luke doesn’t seem to mind as he ambles closer until there are only inches of space between us. I know the moment he inhales my scent because it sets my skin on fire and quivers my knees.
Then he whispers in my ear. “I’m still mad at you, you know.”
I blink and look up. “You are?”
He nods solemnly, his hand cupping my cheek. Before I can think about it, I lean into the contact. “For not telling me. For pushing me away. I get it, but it hurt.”
I hurt at his words, too, and how much I hurt him, but I find my hands reaching out. Drawing him closer.
“I’m sorry. Luke, I’m sorry for hurting you.”
“I get it. You were trying to protect me.”
But I’m starting to understand now that Luke can protect me, too, and it doesn’t have to be me alone. It’s what he’s been telling me from the start: that we’re a team, and not just when it comes to Riley. And now I get it.
He grumbles, interrupting my train of thought.
“Sorry won’t do.” His hands find my waist. He looks down, frowning, no, pouting. “I need kisses to make it all better.”
Oh, God.
Laughter spurts out of my throat, unbidden but so welcome. My heart heals itself, the cracks slowly mending as he leans his head—and on instinct, I close the remaining distance between us and kiss him as I mean it.
Because I mean it, with all my heart and soul. And I let him feel it until we’re sinking, soaring, flying.
“Is that enough?” I say in between pauses of breath.
His hands grip me tighter as he shakes his head and takes more. “I might need more convincing. And an answer to my proposal.”
The glinting ring snags my attention again, still hooked to his pinky. But he’s much brighter and more interesting to me, so I tiptoe and kiss him harder, involving my tongue this time until his groan echoes in the room. I laugh in his mouth, my joy bursting from my seams.
“Is that enough, Luke? To convince you and as an answer?”
In response, he initiates the next kiss, attacking me with a fervor that leaves me moaning and trembling.
“Fuck. Yes. You’re really going to marry me? You’re really going to be my wife?”
How can one say no to that desperate question?
And really, how can one say no to Luke?
He believes in me when I sometimes don’t even believe in myself. He lifts me while letting me still be myself. He makes me realize that while I will sometimes be at my lowest and need to land on my own two feet, there’s no harm in having a support system—in accepting his and Riley’s love and help.
“What do you think?”
His eyes implore mine. “Say yes, baby. Make all the hurt go away.”
I grin. I hold out my ring finger.
“Yes, baby.”
“God. I love you so much. I love you and Riley so much.”
“I love you, too, Luke.”
And I make a promise to myself that I will make it up to him for the rest of our lifetime.