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“Want us to come with you?” Jade asked, her brows drawn in.

Olivia shook her head and grabbed her phone and earbuds from the counter. “No, but thanks. I need some time alone.”

Alone. She was definitely feeling that at the

moment now that she and Jax had pretty much ended. No, alone wasn’t the right term. Empty, shattered, broken.

Olivia started with a jog around the corner of her house and set off down the street. With earbuds in and music blaring, she attempted to focus on the future. She had a new job waiting for her, the new office was being redesigned to her liking, and she was going to have her own team. Her very own team of employees to assist her on projects. It was absolutely her dream come true.

So why did she still have that vise-like grip around her chest? Why was she still blinking back tears?

Someone honked and waved as they passed. She wasn’t sure, but it looked like Mrs. Kinard. The people of this town were so friendly whether you lived here your whole life or were completely new.

Olivia had a really great feeling about the airport and the direction they’d decided to go. If all of Zach’s designs were approved, she knew it would be a big job, but the end result would be amazing. Part of her wished her father was here to see this come to fruition. What would he think of her having a hand in all the changes? No doubt he’d be thrilled she was back and had decided not to sell.

Between reading in his journal and the emotional mess with Jax, was it any wonder she was a walking tissue commercial?

Before she knew it she was heading by Cash’s gym. A familiar black truck sat in the parking lot and Olivia’s heart lurched. Most likely Jax was inside taking out his frustrations as well.

Olivia tried to keep her gaze away from the windows as she focused on the next block up ahead. Unfortunately, her foot landed on a crack in the sidewalk and she felt her ankle give. Olivia hit the concrete hard and cried out as she landed.

Damn it. Her ankle throbbed, her palms and knees were skinned up . . . and all right in front of Cash’s gym. She didn’t dare look up to see if anyone witnessed her wipeout.

With careful movements, she pushed herself up and attempted to put weight on her ankle. Sharp, piercing pain shot up her leg. Olivia sat back down on the sidewalk with a groan. This was not happening to her. Could this day get any worse?

A car door slammed and she closed her eyes and sighed. Apparently, it could because now someone was approaching her.

Please don’t be Jax. Please don’t be Jax.

“Hey, Livie. You hurt?”

Not Jax, but that familiar voice was the next worst thing.

She turned to see Tanner striding toward her in all his uniformed glory. He was definitely hot, but he did nothing for her . . . not like Jax.

“Nope. I just thought I’d stop here to rest.”

Tanner squatted next to her. “I’ll let your snarky comment slide since that was a stupid question.” He glanced up, then back down to her. “Jax is inside. I can go—”

“No,” she all but shouted. She’d rather crawl back home than for Jax to see her now or offer help. “I just, can you help me up?”

“Is it your ankle?” He put his arm around her waist and held her up. When she leaned against his side, he gripped her tighter. “Okay. I’m not even going to ask why you don’t want me to get Jax, but how about a lift home?”

Olivia glanced to the patrol car and laughed. “Can I sit in the back and you’ll turn your lights on?”

Tanner led her toward his car. “You can sit in the back, but I can’t turn on the siren.”

“You’re no fun.”

Olivia actually climbed into the front seat next to Tanner and gritted her teeth as her toes banged against the door panel.

“Hurts that bad, huh?” he asked, leaning down into the car.

“I just need to get home and ice it,” she assured him with a smile. “Not a big deal.”

“Want an X-ray?”

Olivia gave him a side eye. “What do you think?”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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