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“Rick?” Her voice caught, like she was fighting back a rush of emotion. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Why shouldn’t I be? I thought we were good. Right? Unless there’s more stuff you need to get off your chest. About Clear Lake or whatever.” Not that he wanted to make her angry, but he’d rather hash things out than have her resent him.
“No. We’re good. But now that you’ve seen me in action, wouldn’t it be easier to hand me over to Grant? You have enough shit going on with him.”
He gave a casual shrug. “What’s a little more? If he gets on my case because our team’s too slow, I can take it. I don’t have anything riding on this gig, not like you do. Don’t you need Dr. Roth’s endorsement when this job is over? For your dissertation?”
“How’d you know that?”
Busted. After that first day, he’d brought up the subject with Stuart when they were building the showers. He’d asked because he still couldn’t understand why Olivia had agreed to take Frida’s place, since she was clearly out of her element.
“Stuart mentioned it. He said this field school is important to you, in terms of getting Roth to serve on your dissertation committee. I get that.”
“You do? I thought you weren’t about academia?”
“I’m not into all the bragging and name-dropping like TJ. But I admire anyone with the persistence to pursue a doctorate in a field they love. Especially the ones who’ll end up teaching. Students need professors like you who are passionate about this stuff.”
“But not you? You aren’t interested in following that route?”
He drove out a harsh sigh. “Olivia, don’t.”
“Sorry. I’m sure you have your reasons. But if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”
“Now who’s being extra nice?”
She laughed. “I’m a nice person. Most of the time.”
“Yeah. You are.” He picked up the bottle of aloe but didn’t want to leave. The Olivia he’d once known had changed a lot, and he wanted to learn more about her. Had she enjoyed grad school so far? Was she still close to her family? What did she dream about at night?
Without thinking, he placed his hand over hers. Rather than pull away, she twined her fingers with his. His breath caught as he leaned in closer, hoping to steal a kiss.
Until the sound of someone coughing instantly doused his desire.
Olivia turned off her flashlight, casting them back into darkness. After waiting a beat, she spoke softly. “I’m not sure if we woke anyone, but I’d better get back to my cot.”
He wished he could convince her to stay, but they’d already risked enough by talking this long. If someone saw them, the rumors would spread like wildfire.
He stood up. “’Night, Olivia.”
“’Night. Thanks for the aloe. And…um…everything.”
Back on his cot, he’d almost drifted off when he recalled his conversation with his sister, Cassie. She’d left him a series of texts, begging him to call their father. He’s going for his biopsy soon. What if it’s cancer? You’ll regret it if you don’t reach out to him.
What was the point? After Rick had left home, he’d tried contacting his dad—he’d called, texted, and even emailed—but the old man never responded. He was still too pissed that Rick had chosen archaeology over law school. His mother called about once a month—usually when his father wasn’t around. Only Cassie had stayed in touch consistently. She’d tried to get their father to forgive Rick but with no luck.
Though Rick hadn’t been back home in four years, at times the longing struck him like a physical ache. Especially during the holidays. He loved traveling, but he missed feeling grounded. Having a place to call home. But who would he be if he went back to California? What would he do for a job? His whole life was tied up with traveling and working. Who was he if he wasn’t Rick the freewheeling shovel bum?
All questions he shouldn’t be pondering at two in the morning. Maybe he’d feel better if he talked them over with someone.
Like Olivia.
