When Flo returned, Olivia had checked in only three books. “Finish this, please,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as caustic as she felt.
“Uh, sure.” Flo moved closer to her. “Are you feeling all right? Maybe you’re coming down with something.”
“I’m fine. I just have something to do in the office.” Before Flo could ask more questions, Olivia hurried to the back. She rushed inside and shut the door, then plopped down at her desk. Her head drooped as she rubbed her temples, staring at the desk calendar in front of her. She’d missed the due date for her first assignment. She’d been unable to focus on her essay after her talk with Kingston. She never missed an assignment, and now she was thinking about dropping the class, something she never would have considered before. But she had no interest in eighteenth-century English literature. She’d taken the class only because she hadalwaystaken classes.
She also avoided her laptop and her phone. Aunt Bea had left two voice mails after yesterday’s dance lesson had passed—Olivia had spent that time torturing herself by watching the romance movie channel all night—and she’d called Olivia three times already today and it wasn’t even noon. Even though she and Kingston were officially not in a fake relationship anymore, she hadn’t told anyone, even Aunt Bea. She didn’t want to answer a bunch of questions. She didn’t want to tell any more lies.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed. Anita’s text showed up on their group chat.
Can’t wait to see y’all tonight. I’m almost done with my shawl.
Olivia stared at the message. She’d completely forgotten that tonight was their weekly Chick Clique meeting.
Harper:I made ten baby washcloths. Is that excessive?
Anita:I don’t think so.
Riley:I guess y’all heard about Erma and Jasper.
Harper:What? I’m always out of the loop! Are they finally realizing they’re in love?
Riley:Um, about that...
Olivia opened her desk drawer, dropped her phone inside, and slammed it shut. The last thing she wanted to read about was a couple in love, even if it was Jasper and Erma.
A knock sounded at the door. “I’m busy,” she barked. Then closed her eyes. It wasn’t like her to be so touchy and terse. “I’ll be with you in just a second.”
“Olivia, sugar. It’s me.”
She should have known Aunt Bea wouldn’t be ignored.
She went to the door and opened it. “I don’t have a lot of time, Aunt Bea. I’m very busy today.” Then she noticed her aunt’s face. Aunt Bea wasn’t concerned. Or sad. She was angry.
The older woman entered the office in a huff. “I won’t take up too much of your time.”
Dread pooled in Olivia’s stomach. She couldn’t rememberthe last time she’d seen Aunt Bea this fired up. Probably because she’d never gotten in trouble before. Like, ever.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, going to her. Aunt Bea couldn’t be this upset over her and Kingston. It had to be something else.
“Why are you avoiding my calls?” Her aunt whirled around and faced Olivia, a flash of hurt in her eyes.
She walked back to her desk, taking the few seconds to regain her composure. “Like I said, I’ve been busy.”
“Does this have anything to do with you and Kingston?”
Did her aunt know? “What did he tell you?”
“Nothing. But it was obvious he was out of sorts last night at the dance studio.” Aunt Bea lifted her chubby chin. “Extremely out of sorts. And when I asked him why you weren’t at the dance lesson, he didn’t have any idea. That doesn’t sound like a couple in love.”
Her gaze jumped to Aunt Bea. “Who said anything about love?”
“You didn’t have to.” Aunt Bea went to her. “It was plain as day on both y’all’s faces. At my house, at church on Sunday. Everyone could see it.”
Love? Was that what she was feeling for Kingston?
Hadfelt, she tried to tell herself.
Not only was her inner monologue not working, but she was more confused than before. Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t... understand.”
