I stood beside him, my fists clenched at my sides.Numb.Empty.The pain would come later.The grief, the rage, the bitter ache of loss.But for now, there was only the yawning void where my mother had once been.
“Why?”The word tore from my throat, raw and bleeding.“Why did she do it?”
My father shook his head, his shoulders slumped in defeat.“I don't know, Carter.I guess the pain was just too much for her to bear.”
Those final words echoed in my mind, a bitter reminder of all I had lost.
I couldn't let myself care for Olivia.It was too risky.I had to keep my distance, to maintain the walls I had built and fortified.
And yet, even as I made the vow, I knew it was futile.Because somewhere along the way, without even realizing it, Olivia Friedman had slipped past my defenses.She’d had a fleeting glimpse of the wounded boy beneath the cold facade.
And God help me, I wanted her to keep looking.
CHAPTER SEVEN
OLIVIA
I bit backa moan of relief as I settled my aching body into my new ergonomic chair.Carter had surprised me with it this morning, along with a standing desk that could be adjusted to my preferred height.The thoughtfulness of the gesture took me by surprise.
I squinted against the glare of the rising sun as it blasted through the large windows of Carter's office, bathing the meticulously organized space in brightness.I glanced at my to-do list, already half-crossed off despite the early hour.Calls made, meetings scheduled, correspondence handled.
A soft ping from my computer alerted me to a new email.I scanned the contents then swiftly crafted a response, my fingers flying over the keys.The familiar rhythm of work settled over me like a comforting blanket.
“Olivia?”Carter's deep voice startled me from my focus.I looked up to find him leaning against the doorframe of his inner office.“I need you to reschedule my 3 o'clock with the zoning board.Something's come up.”
I nodded, already pulling up his calendar.“No problem.Any preference for the new time slot?”
He ran a hand through his dark hair, leaving it charmingly disheveled.“Tomorrow afternoon if possible.And can you get Emmett on the phone?I need to discuss the changes to the community center plans.”
“Of course.”I reached for the phone, my fingers hesitating over the keypad.“Um, Mr.Cassidy?”
He raised an eyebrow.“Yes?”
I bit my lip, suddenly self-conscious.“I wanted to say thank you.For the chair and desk, I mean.It's...it's made a big difference.”
An expression flittered across his face, too quick for me to decipher.“It's nothing.”His tone was brusque, but I caught the hint of warmth beneath it.
As I dialed Emmett's number, I couldn't help smiling.Maybe working for Carter Cassidy wouldn't be so bad after all.
The morning flew by as I juggled calls, organized files, and even managed to squeeze in some research on sustainable building materials for Carter's latest project.By the time lunch rolled around, I felt more alive than I had in months.
“I'm heading out for a bit,” I called, grabbing my purse.“I'll be back in an hour.”
He grunted in acknowledgment, not looking up from his blueprints.I shook my head, amused by his single-minded focus.
My mind was still buzzing with the events of the morning when I pulled up at Sunnyside Nook.The familiar scent of coffee and pastries enveloped me as soon as I stepped through the door.I spotted Mom at our usual table by the window, her face lighting up as she waved me over.
“Honey!”She stood to embrace me, her bird-like frame so similar to my own.“You look...different.”
I slid into the booth across from her, unable to contain my smile.“I feel different, Mom.This job, it's challenging, but in a good way.I forgot how much I missed working.”
Mom beamed with pride, but I caught the flicker of worry beneath.“That's wonderful, sweetheart.But you're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?With your condition?—”
“I'm fine, Mom.Really.Mr.Cassidy's been surprisingly accommodating.”
She raised an eyebrow.“Oh?Do tell.”
I launched into a recounting of the morning's events, pausing only to order my usual turkey club and Mom's chicken caesar salad.As I spoke, a weight lifted from my shoulders.It felt good to share my small victories, to see the joy and relief on Mom's face.
