I nodded, already mentally reshuffling my schedule to make room for this new initiative.“Set up a meeting for next week.We'll brainstorm and see what we can come up with.”
As we found a spot to eat, I noticed the way Olivia's eyes darted around, taking in every detail of the site.Her gaze was sharp and appraising, but there was also a softness there—a genuine care for the people and the community this project would serve.
“You miss it, don't you?”I asked.“Working directly with the community, I mean.”
Olivia's eyes snapped to mine.She looked taken aback.I was as surprised as she was.I wasn’t sure where my insight had come from.She was quiet for a moment, considering her words.“I do,” she admitted.“Don't get me wrong, I love what I'm doing now.But there was something special about the hands-on work at the shelter.”
“It's different here,” I said, gesturing to the bustling site around us.“The scale is larger, the impact more abstract.But it's no less important.”
Olivia's smile was gentle, appreciative.“I know.And I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.It's just...different, like you said.”
We lapsed into silence.I studied Olivia's profile, noting the set of her jaw, the spark in her eyes.She was more than a pretty face or a competent assistant.She was a force to be reckoned with, a woman with dreams and ambitions of her own.
I wanted to understand what drove her, what made her eyes light up with that fierce passion.I wanted to be the one to put that smile on her face, to take the worries from her shoulders.
Shit.
I stood abruptly, crumpling my taco wrapper.“Break's over.We should get back to work.”
She looked up, startled by my sudden movement.“Oh, okay.Is everything alright?”
I nodded curtly, already turning away.“Fine.Just a lot to do.”
As we walked back to the main part of the site, I felt her concerned gaze on me.But I kept my eyes forward, my jaw clenched against the tide of unwelcome emotions.
I couldn’t do this.Not with Olivia, not with anyone.It could only end one way.
But as we rejoined the team, I had the nagging suspicion that it might already be too late.
I'd let her in, however unintentionally.And now, try as I might to deny it, Olivia had become more than my assistant.She'd become a complication.A risk.
Worst of all, a part of me was starting to think she might be worth it.
CHAPTER NINE
OLIVIA
“Ope, ‘scuse me!”I navigated through the throng of patrons, dodging waitstaff balancing drink-laden trays, until I reached the booth in the back corner.“Hey guys.Sorry I'm late.Traffic was a nightmare.”
“There she is!”Emmett crowed, raising his pint in salute.“The woman of the hour!”
A flush crept up my neck as I slid into the booth next to Carter.“Hardly.I’m just happy to be here.”
Carter's thigh brushed against mine as he shifted to make room, sending a pulse of awareness through me.I snuck a glance at him.He looked different here, away from the job site—softer.More relaxed, the ever-present furrow between his brows smoothed away.His button-down was rolled up to the elbows, revealing muscular forearms.I hastily averted my gaze so he wouldn’t catch me staring.
“You're too modest, Liv,” Wick said, leaning forward on his elbows.“You killed it out there today.The way you handled that subcontractor?Masterful.”
I shrugged, fighting a smile.“I just did my job.”
“And you did it damn well,” Callie chimed in.“Seriously, Olivia, you're a natural at this.You were clearly born to wrangle egos and put out fires.”
The praise warmed me from the inside out, chasing away my lingering doubts.I'd been nervous about joining them for drinks.It’d been years since I’d been out like this without Ethan.I’d been afraid I’d have forgotten how to socialize properly.
“Livvy, what's your poison?”Emmett asked, flagging down a waitress.
“I'll have a hard cider.But just one!”
“Oh, that sounds good.Might have one myself,” Carter said.
