“Nothing to worry about, Luke. Like I said, I take my job very seriously. Though, I’m a little offended you would think I’d talk to people.”
“Right… Well, I apologize. I tend to have a hard time trusting people in my line of business. Just know I appreciate what you’re doing.”
“Well, you’re welcome, Luke.”
“When I was told my parents went to see you, I wasn’t told much else.” Luke paused for a moment. His voice started to crackle at the beginning of the last sentence. “Is…everything going to be okay?”
“Ah, Luke, I just told you that I couldn’t reveal any information about any patient, including your mother’s. What makes you think I’m going to disclose anything to you?”
Luke chuckled. “Well, I thought since it’s Mama that you would, considering our past.”
“Water under the bridge, Luke. That doesn’t even factor in. You thought wrong if you expected me to utter a word to you.”
“Olivia, I’m not asking for a lot here. Just let me know if she’s going to be okay, please. I can’t think straight while out on the road knowing that she was at a neurologist’s office. I’m thinking the worst here. My mind is running a race with itself over all the possibilities. I haven’t been able to sleep since I heard the news.” The faint sound of a lighter sparked in the background.
People heard the word ‘neurologist’ and thought the worst. She’d seen it over the years during her training and working in the field. Her heart was aching knowing how difficult it must be on him, especially being so far away.
“I’m sorry, Luke. I can’t say anything.” She hated having to do this with him, knowing he was suffering.
“Dammit, Livy. Clearly, I’m not going to say a damn word. It’s my mother. Just give me something, anything.”
“I...can’t. Luke…ugh…”
“Care Bear…please…”
Just hearing Luke’s voice crack across the phone made her reminisce about the past. Taking a deep breath, Olivia closed her eyes and counted to ten. She knew she shouldn’t, yet Olivia couldn’t stop the words he wanted to hear from flowing from her mouth.
Quietly she whispered into the phone, “Don’t worry. I’m just waiting on some tests results to come in, but she should be okay. It’s nothing we aren’t capable of treating.”
A snide, snickering laugh coming from Luke made her skin crawl, like hundreds of red ants coating her body. Shit. She knew immediately that she screwed up. Irritated with the situation, she squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head. What had she done?
“Was that all it took? A few lines of begging and pleading for you to give me info, Livy? Was it that easy for you to break your oath?”
“Luke, I… I was.” Olivia was stammering now.
“Ah, ah, ah. You were what? Breaking your doctor’s oath? Seriously, Livy. This is my family you’re caring for, not to mention, there are fans following me trying to get any little piece of information about me. How the hell am I supposed to trust you with my mother’s life if you give it up to me so easily?”
“You’re playing dirty. That’s not fair. And don’t ever mock me again.”
“All is fair in love and war.”
“Love and— What love? What war? Are you kidding me right now? You’re at odds with me for what? Over something that happened years ago that you apparently can’t seem to get past? Don’t act like a child, Luke. I’m not going to play games with you.”
Not only was her blood boiling because she’d been tricked and fell for it, but because Luke was bringing up the past and using it against her.
“I told you because I didn’t want you to worry. I’d never do that for anyone else. I actually have a heart and feelings, unlike you.” After pausing for a brief moment, Olivia decided it was time to finish this conversation. Just before slamming the phone down she said, “And Luke? Don’t call me ‘Care Bear’ ever again.”
Closing her eyes, Olivia couldn’t believe what had just transpired. She rubbed her throbbing temples and contemplated whether or not to just take the rest of the day off. It had crossed her mind at one point that once she began treating Luke’s mom she would probably encounter Luke. She just hadn’t expected it to be this soon.
Standing up, Olivia smoothed down her white lab coat and made her way around the desk. She still had half a day left and she was determined to finish it out. Luckily for her, it was Thursday, which meant drinks with Shelly after work. At least she had something to look forward to.
Sweet baby Jesus, Olivia thought at the blaring alarm clock. It sounded like a freight train coming straight through the bedroom. Turning her head under her pillow, her eyes felt like sandpaper as she peered to the right to read the clock.
4:30 a.m.
How stupid was she to stay out late with Shelly?
Livy…Care Bear…
Not wanting to go there, Olivia raised her arm and slammed it down on the snooze button. The black alarm clock tilted on its side and fell flat with a clang. Just a few more minutes…
Rushing through the back door of the office building and into her office, Olivia threw her purse onto her chair. After snoozing through her alarm, she over slept and woke in a panic.
Pulling her thick waves into a messy bun, a knock sounded at the door. Jesus Christ. Why couldn’t Shelly just follow directions and walk in?
“Yes, Shelly!”
Shelly hesitantly opened the door, alarmed by Olivia’s tone. “Umm…you have a call.”
“Who is it?”
“It sounds like the guy from yesterday…the Care Bear guy. He won’t tell me his name.”
“Thanks, Shell. I’ll take it from here. I, ah, didn’t mean to snap at you.” Shelly gave a timid smile and left her office.
Picking up the phone, Olivia felt like death inside. She had a hangover like never before and her stomach was in knots. She was never drinking tequila again. Her eyes burned. All she wanted to do was go home, close the blinds and crawl into her soft down bed and go to sleep. Too bad that wasn’t happening any time soon.
“This is Dr. King. What can I do for you?” Olivia said in her sweetest, sugary voice possible.
“Livy—”
“What, Luke? I don’t have time for your games today.” Not bothering to hide her feelings of disgust.
“Damn…you sound sick. Are you okay?”
She knew she sounded worn out. Olivia had been working herself to the bone, and last night didn’t help.
“I went out last night and had a couple drinks.” Why was she telling him that?
“Ah...whiskey girl. Not drinking whiskey anymore I take it? Because your voice never sounded like this.” Luke laughed lightly.
“Don’t call me that. I wanted something a bit stronger last night, not that it’s any of your business. I had more than usual but then again I don’t get out much.” Seriously, why was she telling him this? And why did he have to bring up the past yet again?
“Right… Anyway, I’m calling because I wanted to apologize for tricking you yesterday. It was wrong of me. I was worried and upset and took it out on you.”
“Right. I’m an easy target.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. This is an unusual situation, and I need to remember that. Listen, Luke,” Olivia said rubbing her eye with the heel of her hand and collapsing into her chair with a huff. “I’ve never released information about a patient to anyone before. Nothing. You have to trust me and take my word on this,” she said tiredly. “It’s someone’s life I have in my hands and I take it as seriously as I take my own. You’re just…different. I guess maybe because I didn’t want you to stress while out on the road? Oh, I don’t know. Just know that I would never hurt your name or your mother’s. I swear to you.”
Luke was silent. At one point she thought he’d hung up.
Finally, Luke asked, “Listen, do you want to maybe catch up and do lunch sometime when I get back?”
Olivia gulped. “I’m
not sure. I’d have to check my schedule.”
“Alright. I’ll take it. And Olivia? Thanks. I really do appreciate what you’re doing. I know what I did was sneaky, the way I went about it and all. I’m sorry. I just freaked out.”
Clearing his throat, he said, “I had no idea you left New York.”
Could he make her morning any worse?
“Yeah, I’m back in Georgia, but I live in Savannah now. Listen, Luke, I need to go. I have patients waiting.”
Luke’s eyes zoomed in to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating.
And he wasn’t.
He also couldn’t believe that was his whiskey girl, either.
Luke watched Olivia from his parked truck on the side of the commercial street as she shoved the heavy glass door open, emerging from her office building. With the puffy, light purple circles under her eyes, Olivia looked beyond exhausted and worn out as he stared through his windshield at a face he hadn’t seen in many years.
After his flight landed in Georgia last night, guilt left him restless all night. It wasn’t normal for Luke to be conniving, so he needed to apologize for acting like an ass. He did a little research and within three minutes found out where Livy worked, jumped in his truck and hightailed it north. Judging by the looks of her, Luke partially blamed himself for the tiredness in her eyes, or at least blamed himself for adding to whatever was going on in her life. But as his heated gaze traveled down her body, he noticed how much Olivia had changed over the years.
Holy. Hot. Damn.
Olivia had always been beautiful to him, but over the years she’d changed into a stunningly, gorgeous woman. Just a glance and his body roared to life.
Granted, Luke hadn’t seen Livy in ages, but Lord have mercy. The white collared shirt was plastered to her chest and the buttons down the center looked about ready to pop. The outline of her bra held much fuller breasts as his gawking gaze traveled south. He’d never seen a woman look so curvy in all his life that left him hard and wanting so bad so quickly. She looked mouthwatering in the tight navy blue skirt that hugged her new curves—and he meant hugged her wider hips to her thighs and down to her knees. From the looks of it, Olivia had softened around her hips over the years. And it looked fucking amazing on her. Sexy as hell. The skirt was glued to her like a glove. Man, he’d love to see what was underneath it too, in an honest way of a hungry male who saw a beautiful woman that made his jaw drop. Luke’s imagination was running wild. He pictured his hands slowly skimming up the inside of her thighs, squeezing every few inches as he went, making her sigh and purr in pleasure from his touch as he eased his way closer to her.
Olivia’s long brown hair billowed around her face in the breeze, and Luke noticed the worn out look once again. It was a look she often wore while back in college when studying for exams. His chest seized at the memories of them studying together on his bed all those years ago, remembering how it would turn into more than just studying. Now he couldn’t help but wonder if his behavior yesterday had given her the drained look she wore in her eyes.
Luke had to admit he was edgy walking up to Olivia. Adrenaline combined with anxiety pumped through his veins and his body didn’t know how to react. He was jittery and had a love/hate relationship with this kind of high. Luke wanted to walk right up to her, but he’d be fooling himself if he said he wasn’t nervous as shit. It had been a long time since they’d seen each other and he wasn’t sure how she’d react to his presence.
When Luke planned to return home after tour, he never expected to see Olivia, let alone talk to her. He thought he’d just go back, kick it with Chase and visit his family. But with the news of his mother and the way he treated Livy on the phone, Luke’s plans changed the moment he walked on the plane.
Seeing Livy so close, literally just steps away after no contact after so many years, was a lot to take in. He didn’t think he’d be so nervous about walking up to a woman, but then again Livy wasn’t just any woman. Memories of them from the past surged through his brain and he instantly felt like an ass for being so condescending to her.
Pulling out a cigarette, he lit it and took a hard drag before he strolled up to Olivia. He watched the tip turn into a blaze of crimson gleaming in the shadow of his palm. He exhaled, the dry smoke rolling casually from his lips. Once in front of Olivia, blocking her path, he waited for her to look up from rummaging through her purse.
“Hey, Livy.”
Olivia’s head snapped up and she stiffened. Luke was standing larger than life in front of her. The sound of the noisy street faded into the distance as she stared. The only thing Olivia could hear was the pounding in her chest as her body went on high alert. Luke wore a ball cap, just like he used to with his dirty blond hair flaring from the sides, and gold aviator sunglasses shielding his eyes. She couldn’t help but look him up and down, more so in shock than anything else. His skin tight white tee was paired with dark jeans and finished off with tan combat boots. It seemed not much changed with his attire.
“It’s Luke.”
That voice… That smoky voice sent a tremble throughout her body that she wasn’t prepared for. It was deeper than she remembered and made the beat of her heart speed up even more. Closing her mouth, and her eyes because of the embarrassment she felt for gaping at him, she cleared her throat and finally she responded.
“I know.”
Luke grinned broadly at her. “So you remember me.”
Not finding his humor funny in the least bit, Olivia quickly grew irritated. Standing taller, she answered him.
“Of course I remember you,” she deadpanned. “As if I could forget. You’re on the damn radio all the time. What are you doing here?”
“Just wanted to make sure you knew it was me. It has been a long time and all.”
Looking into Livy’s eyes, Luke shifted from one boot to the other. He took another pull from his cigarette that was pinched between his thumb and forefinger. Blowing the smoke out to the side, he said, “I wanted to come and apologize in person for what I did yesterday.”
“I didn’t think you were already in Georgia.”
“I flew home last night, actually. I have some time off and wanted to come home.”
Luke had a few days off and drove up to Savannah to see her? The thought tickled her even when it shouldn’t.
“Oh…well, there was no need to make an apology in person since you already did earlier on the phone. Or did you forget? Savannah is a small hike from South Fork. You just wasted a good part of your afternoon coming up here. Thanks, I guess, but I need to get going.”
Luke reached out to stop Olivia, but pulled back quickly before he touched her. She looked down at his hand and then up to Luke with a question in her eyes.
“Did you need something, Luke? I already told you I’ll keep everything strictly private. No one in my office will know who you or your parents are.”
“Can I make it up to you?”
“There’s nothing to make up. I’m on lunch right now and have a lot to do. I need to go.”
“So...where are you headed?”
Olivia’s nostrils flared. She was growing more and more agitated by the minute. She didn’t remember him being this persistent, or was it something he acquired? Luke may have been pissed with her for leaving, but she was just as angry for him shutting her out completely.
“I just told you, Luke. I'm on my lunch. I'm headed to get the fattiest, greasiest burger I can find with fries. Happy that you know my plans now? Anyway, it was nice seeing you, but seriously, I need to get going,” she answered brusquely.
Olivia placed the strap of her purse on her shoulder and walked around him on the sidewalk.
“Livy— Wait.”
Olivia spun fast and looked back at Luke, but as soon as she did she regretted it.
Fuck. My. Life, she cursed under her breath.
A hangover.
Luke.
And the suns strongest rays burning a hole into her eyes.
“Shit,” she mutt
ered, placing her sunglasses on her face. Not only was she seeing bright silver circles, she could feel moisture trickling down the hollow of her breasts from the high humidity.
“What, Luke? You and I have nothing to talk about. I’m treating your mother, not you. What part of that don’t you understand? Or is it the fact that you probably have people kissing your ass on a daily basis and aren’t familiar with anyone telling you ‘no’ so you’re being an asshole and won’t leave me alone now?” Olivia snapped. She couldn’t help the attitude.
“Want to get lunch together? Maybe catch up?” Luke gave Olivia a lopsided, cautious smile.
Olivia’s mouth gaped open, completely dumbfounded by his question. Was he joking?
“Are you out of your ever loving mind? Catch up? Catch up on what exactly? The past nine years? We're completely different people now, Luke. There's nothing to catch up on. It would take entirely too long to even begin that voyage down memory lane, and quite frankly, I'd rather leave the past in the past.”
There. That wiped the smug smile right off his handsome face. She needed to be done with this conversation ASAP.
Luke couldn't believe his eyes—or ears. He had to fight the grin that tugged at his mouth. Olivia had just chewed him out and he took it all, not giving it back to her. Hell, he was caught off guard by her spicy mouth that he couldn’t stop himself from asking her to lunch. Seeing her eyes flare the way they just did made him want more. Luke had forgotten that Olivia hardly ever took his shit, and it was one thing he loved about being with her. He’d watched her face heat and her eyes flicker as she became exasperated while he toyed with her. It fueled him now just like before.
“Bitter about the past, are we? I don’t think you have any right for the bitterness, to be honest. And all I did was ask if you wanted to get lunch together, not go for drinks.”
“Bit—,” Olivia had to bite her tongue. She was dangerously close to going off at this point and had every right, just as he did.
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