Chapter Twelve

Lying to Shay that morning when she’d asked her to pick Aden up from therapy, caused a pang of guilt in Olivia’s stomach. Well, it wasn’t really a lie. David had called and asked if they could meet for brunch. He had surgery scheduled for two and wouldn’t get out of work until late. She didn’t hesitate to say yes, knowing Shay would help.

A quick drive and a few minutes later, Olivia’s heels clicked against the pavement outside of the Heavenly Brew coffee house. She spotted David through the window, smiled, and waved. In the three weeks since joining him for dinner, Olivia had become fond of him. Very fond.

Both were busy with their careers, and losses in their previous relationships had been painful, so they agreed to take it slow. Could she be this lucky to find a second love?

He was kind, and his gentle humor filled an empty place in her life. She had family in Aden and friends in Shay, Margaret, and Eli, but remained lonely. Her feelings for David were very different from the fiery passion she’d shared with Manny. Somehow, with David, it ran deeper. Now she struggled with guilt.

Don’t, Liv. Don’t feel guilty, the voice inside her head wasn’t snarky for a change. Manny would want you to live a full life and experience the blessing of love again.

“Liv.” David stood as she approached the table and then leaned over and kissed her cheek.

“Hi, I’m glad you called.” Her cheek tingled where his lips touched. “This is a great start to my day.”

When she sat down, the waitress approached the booth. “Good morning, are you folks ready to order?”

“Mmm, I’ll have a spinach, tomato, and basil omelet with a cup of Sumatra,” Olivia answered without looking at the menu.

David ordered the same, and they made small talk over their coffee until the food arrived a few minutes later.

They were finished and sitting back when he asked, “Will you go to the hospital benefit dinner with me next month?”

No one knew they were seeing each other. They kept a low profile as a couple. Was she ready to out their relationship? Olivia twisted her napkin. “I don’t know, David. I kind of like the way we are. I’m not sure I’m ready to let others know about us.”

“Are you ashamed of me?” David placed his napkin on the table.

“No! Of course not.” Her heart began to pound. “It’s just there’s so much going on. And you’re Aden’s doctor…”

“Those are all excuses.” He sat back in his chair. “Tell me the real reason.”

An hour later, they were still sitting at the table, and she’d told him all about Manny. “I loved him so much. At his funeral, it felt like a piece of me was buried with him, not the rose I’d laid on his coffin.”

“I’m so sorry.” David reached across the table and took her hand. “I know what it’s like to lose someone.”

Olivia couldn’t meet his eyes. Before she chickened out and ruined any chance with him, she said, “I don’t know if I could live through losing someone again. I’m afraid to love like that a second time. And David, I think I could love you that way.”

David took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and pressed a kiss to it. “Olivia House, we’ve only known each other a couple of months, but I already love you.”

Her mouth fell open, and her head dropped. Several emotions ran through her. Panic, followed by fear, danced together before both were chased away by hope. Hope that what he said was true. Hope that she wouldn’t grow old alone and bitter, but instead with this handsome and loving man beside her.

“I know it’s all new, but I don’t want to hide us anymore.” David reached over, and with his index finger, he lifted her chin. “I want to introduce you to my friends and family. I don’t want to have to avoid Aden or tap dance around the truth. Will you think about it?”

Still speechless, Olivia nodded.

David stuffed some bills into the black folder on the table. Glancing at his watch, he rose. “I don’t want to leave, but I’ve got to go. Let me walk you to your car.”

He helped her into her jacket and placed his hand low on her back.

Stepping outside of the cafe, Olivia smiled, amazed to see snow flurries, though they were not unheard of in early November. They walked in quiet contemplation to her sedan.

“David…” She broke the silence.

“No, don’t say anything yet.”

He slipped his arms around her and kissed her like she hadn’t been kissed in years.

Cars drove by, beeping at them.

“Get a room,” someone yelled, laughing.

When he pulled back, both were flushed and out of breath. “I’ll call you later, after the surgery.” Reaching behind her, he opened the car door.

She plopped into the seat, then lowered the window, and David leaned in with an adorable, smug smile on his face.

“You okay?”

“Uh-huh.” She didn’t trust her voice.

“I’ve got to go. Drive safe.”

Starting the car, Olivia glanced at the rearview mirror and watched him walk back toward the hospital. She touched her lips, and a huge grin erupted on her face. When David disappeared around the corner, she put the car in drive and pulled out.

Still floating on a cloud, she entered Rock House, but loud arguing brought her back to earth.

Aden’s voice raised. “I don’t want you here.”

Who had made him so angry? Olivia twisted her hands into fists when she recognized the second voice. Kayla.

“Of course you do. It’s where I belong.”

The witch was back in town and stirring up trouble in her cauldron of drama. Good thing most of the staff hadn’t arrived yet to witness her performance.

****

Aden yanked Kayla’s hand away from his face. “Don’t touch me.”

“What’s going on?” Eli exploded from the kitchen. “And what’s she doing here?”

Kayla smirked. “I’m back.”

Eli glared at him.

His partner was not a fan. He despised her almost as much as Olivia did.

“Don’t worry. She’s not back.” Aden reassured him.

“Of course, I am. You need me.” She sidled up, rubbing his arm.

“You’re delusional if you think you can reappear and things will fall into place.” He backed his chair up and spun toward the kitchen. “Get her out of here. I’ve got to talk to Shay.”

“Aden, you don’t mean it,” Kayla purred. “I gave you time after the accident to get yourself together. Now, I’m back.”

“Let’s go.” Eli stepped between them and thumbed toward the door. “You’ve caused enough trouble.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.” She tried to brush past Eli.

“Don’t make me call the police.” Eli growled the words.

“Is everything all right?” Olivia came running into the room. “What are you doing here?”

“I work here.” Kayla’s face flushed.

“Not anymore.” Olivia’s hands went to her hips. “You left and have since been replaced.”

“Yeah, and I saw the replacement.” Kayla hissed, peering around Eli’s broad frame. “Making out with my fiancé in the parking lot. Classy, Aden.”

“We weren’t making out.” He turned away from the kitchen and bit the words out through gritted teeth. White-knuckling the arms of his wheelchair, Aden resolved to end things firmly and completely. “Let her past, Eli.”

Eli stepped out of the way.

Aden rolled up to Kayla. “It’s done. You need to leave.”

“Come on, baby. We have something special.” Kayla peered over Aden’s shoulder before she bent over and lifted her hand to cup his cheek. She leaned in like she was going to kiss him. “Don’t deny us.”

“Kayla, you are not my fiancée. Never have been, and never will be. You and I are over, and you’re fired.”

“We’ll see how long it lasts,” Kayla whispered, kissed his cheek, and straightened. Still smiling, she looked over his shoulder again.

This time Aden followed her gaze to find Shay’s image filling the round window to the kitchen door, her eyes wide in a pale face. Then, she vanished. Aden’s heart sank into his stomach.

“We are nothing.” He shoved the deceitful witch’s hand away. “And haven’t been for a long time.”

“You need to leave.” Olivia now went toe-to-toe with Kayla.

“You’re not the boss.” Kayla sidled around her and stooped in front of Aden’s chair, placing her hands on his knees. “He is.”

Aden tried to get around her to the kitchen. He needed to find Shay. “I can’t say it any clearer. Leave.”

Kayla slammed her hands on the arms of the wheelchair and stood straight. Her face pinched tight. She glared back and forth between Olivia and him before grabbing her bag from the table.

Epic dramatic exits were her specialty, and this one didn’t disappoint.

“You’ll both be sorry. I came back because I pitied you. She can have you. You’re not the man you were.”

Aden flinched. “Get out, Kayla. And don’t come back.”

Raising her hand, she flipped him off before stomping through the door.

When it closed behind her, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hopefully, she’s gone for good this time.”

“Don’t listen to her.” His sister placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re a better man than she ever deserved.”

“Thanks, Livvie.” He patted her hand before gently removing it. “I have to go find Shay.”

He wheeled into the kitchen. No sign of her. “Where’s Shay?”

“Gone, Aden.” Margaret stepped back, giving him room. “Took her coat and said she had some things to do.”

He rolled to the back door at top speed, then opened it.

She was almost to the car.

“Shay!”

The loading dock had no ramp, only steps. He sat helplessly as she drove past, eyes wide with hurt in the reflection of the streetlights. Unable to do anything but watch her drive away, Aden cursed under his breath and went back to the kitchen. He called her phone, and it went to voicemail. He texted. No reply. He threw the cell across the room.