by Debbie Mason
“So congratulations aren’t in order then?”
“No, Finn and I are just good friends. You know what kids are like.”
“Oh, but I thought I heard you were dating.”
She laughed like it was all a big misunderstanding. Given George and Mia’s schoolyard gossip, it was past time Olivia and Finn ended their fake relationship. It was confusing for George…and for Olivia. “You know what small towns are like. A hotbed of rumor and innuendo.”
“I have some girlfriends who will be very happy to hear that,” George’s teacher said, and then her smile turned upside down. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, why? Did I make a face?” Of course, you did, she berated herself, and that jealous twinge you got in your chest is just more proof you need to stop spending so much time with the man. Ms. Ryan gave her an odd look. Olivia had to say something. “If I did, it’s because we’ve just gotten patient waiting times under control, and I’d hate to see us go back to standing room only. You know, Finn bikes every morning on the boardwalk. Maybe they could catch up with him there.”
“Thanks for the tip. I’ll let them know.” She turned to smile at George. “Thanks again for my cupcake flowerpot, George. I hope you have a wonderful summer. I look forward to seeing you in September.”
George swallowed hard and gave Ms. Ryan a wobbly smile. “’Kay. But if I practice my reading and numbers over the summer, can you maybe put me in my friend’s class later?”
Olivia crouched in front of her and adjusted the backpack straps on her shoulders. “You passed, George. All that hard work you did paid off.”
She blinked her big blue eyes and then threw her arms around Olivia and held on tight. It was the first time George had hugged her, and Olivia found herself blinking her eyes too. She’d forgotten how it felt to be held by a child. Olivia cleared her throat before she became undone in the middle of the playground. “Okay, now say goodbye to your friends.” It took a few minutes before they were able to get away. Other parents had arrived and numbers were exchanged and playdates arranged.
“What do you say we have a celebration?” Olivia asked, taking George’s hand as they crossed the road to where she’d parked the Range Rover.
“After we’ve finished work?”
George had been coming back to the clinic with her after school. Finn had set up a small table and chair for her in his office. Before speaking with Ms. Ryan, Olivia had every intention of going back to work. “No, today’s special. We can’t work on special days. We have to celebrate.”
The clinic closed at five, and Dr. Bishop was in today too. Surely between the two of them, they could handle things. Besides, it wasn’t as if she was on the payroll. She didn’t owe Finn an explanation if she decided to leave early. She pulled out her phone and texted him that she wouldn’t be back and then opened the rear door for George. “Where would you like to go?”
“Aren’t we going home to get Pete, Wolfie, and Finn?” George asked, because apparently, it wasn’t a party without the bunny, dog, and Olivia’s fake boyfriend. Another sign that she had to get a handle on this sooner rather than later.
“I thought we’d go to the manor. Maybe we’ll have a picnic on the beach.”
Finn had been in a bad mood since three o’clock yesterday afternoon. By six that evening, he was ticked the hell off, and his mood hadn’t improved. In fact, it had gotten worse. He’d been out for his early morning bike ride, enjoying the sun on his face, the sound of the waves hitting the rugged shoreline below him, and the birds flitting from the leafy branches overhanging the path when he was accosted by two women in two separate incidents.
Okay, so maybe accosted was too strong a word. Propositioned was more of an apt description. And why did the women think he was fair game and know where to find him? Because his girlfriend—his fake girlfriend, his erstwhile receptionist, his supposed friend, and sort-of neighbor—had ratted him out.
And she’d been the one to put him in a bad mood to begin with. A mood that had steadily grown into a giant-sized ticked-off ball in his chest since she’d blown off work as easily as she’d blown off his repeated texts. And then, to make matters worse, he’d discovered she and George had gone to the manor and celebrated George’s passing kindergarten without him.
He banged into the clinic, letting the door slam behind him. So much for his dramatic entrance. It didn’t faze Liv. She didn’t even look up from the computer screen. He saw the reason why as he crossed the empty waiting room. She had earbuds in. He stopped in front of the reception desk and stood there waiting for her to acknowledge him.
While he did, he kind of checked her out. It was a bad habit that had started last week, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to shake it. Her don’t-mess-with-me vibe got to him every time.
She’d taken to wearing her hair pulled back in a sleek knot that went with the classy sleeveless tops she wore tucked into her straight-cut skirts that she paired with sexy heels. Today she wore siren red from head to toe.
She glanced up and gave him a raised-eyebrow look.
He gave her one of his own and crossed his arms. Mostly to stop himself from reaching over and shoving his hands into her hair and messing it up, and then maybe he’d take her face and kiss the red lipstick right off her mouth. Whoa, where the hell had that come from?
She took out her earbuds. “What’s up with you?” she asked in a snotty, Ivy League voice.
Oh, she did not just go there. “What’s up with me?” He parked his ass on the edge of her desk. “I think the better question would be, what’s up with you?”
She lifted a shoulder and returned her gaze to the computer screen. “If you’re cross because I didn’t come back to work yesterday, I’m sorry, but I had things to do. Besides, this isn’t a paid position. I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart.”
“Even volunteers honor their commitment, Liv.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Neither was not responding to my texts. I was worried about you, and then I found out you were celebrating George passing kindergarten without me.” He realized then he wasn’t just ticked off; he was hurt. Liv wasn’t the only one invested in the kid. He’d been helping George with her homework too.
“Who told you?”
“You were at the manor. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”
She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth, releasing it to say, “I’m sorry. If it makes you feel better, George was disappointed you weren’t there.”
“But you weren’t. You didn’t want me there.” Dammit, he sounded like a ten-year-old who’d just been told Santa wasn’t real.
“No, and trust me, when I tell you why, you’ll be glad I didn’t. George and Mia have been telling people we’re getting married.” She gave him a look. “See, I knew exactly how you’d react. But don’t worry, I took care of it.”
She read him right. Just the mention of his name and marriage in the same sentence caused him to break out in a cold sweat.
“Let me guess, you were the one who told everyone we broke up. And then you decided to share my morning routine, on what, Instagram? Is there anything else you shared? You’re not giving out my cell number, are you?”
“No, and all I did was mention your morning ride to George’s teacher. For your benefit, I might add. I did it so you wouldn’t be inundated at the clinic. And I’m pretty sure I found you a receptionist and nurse.”
“When you make up your mind, you don’t fool around, do you?” He was disappointed. He wouldn’t share that with Liv, but he was. He’d gotten used to seeing her every day. He liked having her around. He might tell himself it was because the woman had scary-good organizational skills and had organized not only the clinic, but him too. It was more than that, and he knew it.
He’d been fooling himself. He was developing feelings for Liv that went way beyond friendship. But Liv had George and a crapload of baggage. He wasn’t ready for any of it. He might want Liv
in his bed, but he didn’t want everything else that went along with having her there. She’d want more from him. Way more than he was able or wanted to give.
“I have my job at the manor and George. Add in the time I spend here, and it’s a lot to juggle.”
He stood up. “You’re right, and both Doc Bishop and I appreciated you filling in, Liv. You’ve been a big help. Is George in my office?”
“No, she’s with Emma at the beach. Her new babysitter,” she said when he cocked his head at the unfamiliar name, and then added, “Emma’s a certified lifeguard trainer.”
He didn’t know if she told him that to reassure herself or him. Surprisingly, it did make him feel better. Liv wasn’t the only one who had become important to him; so had George. Liv was right. The sooner they put a stop to this, the better. For all of them. Someone was going to get hurt.
“Okay, you should go join them or take a couple of hours to yourself. You’ve earned it, Liv.” He held out his hand. “Thanks again for everything.”
“You want me to leave?” She looked around the reception area. “But I have Ava and Dorothy coming for an interview at ten.”
“Our Ava? To work here? But I thought she loved being head chef at the manor. And who’s Dorothy?”
“Dorothy’s a retired nurse. She’s dating Ava’s dad and was best friends with her mother. They’re very close and would work well together. And while Ava loves working at the manor, she used to love nursing. She’s been doing a couple of classes online.” Liv shrugged self-consciously. “I thought working here would be a good opportunity for her to decide what she wants to do.”
“It’s a great idea. Doc Bishop’s coming in shortly, so he can handle the interviews. Looks like we’re all set thanks to you.” He stuck out his hand again, practically forcing the words through his clenched teeth. He was even more irritated than when he woke up this morning. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Oh, I…So this is it? This is goodbye?” she said, slowly coming to her feet. His fingers closed around hers. She looked up at him, her whiskey-colored eyes shiny.
“Yeah, it’s probably for the best.” Jesus, what was going on with him? His throat was so tight it was a struggle just to get the words out. Who was he kidding? He didn’t want to end this now. He didn’t want to picture what his days would be like without Liv in them. And that was it, the reason he had to say goodbye before he did something he’d regret like fall in love with her. “I’m only here for a couple more months, Liv. It’s not fair to George, and—”
She blinked and then nodded, tugging on her hand to get him to let go. He hadn’t realized he was holding on so tightly. “Of course, you’re right. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and George. You’ve been a good friend, a truly lovely friend,” she said, and stretched up on her toes to kiss his cheek.
He swore in his head, fighting the urge to take her in his arms and say to hell with it. To hell with— The door to the clinic opened. Finn frowned. It was Stanley.
Liv slowly lowered on her heels and turned to face the older man. “Stanley, what are you doing here? What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, Livy. I tried to talk them out of it.”
“Who? You tried to talk who out of what?”
“Celeste and Walter are suing for custody of George.”
Chapter Seventeen
Olivia stared at Stanley. It was like her body couldn’t process two emotional hits at once. She couldn’t say goodbye to Finn and lose George at the same time. It wasn’t fair. Was this how her life was destined to be from now on? She’d find her happy only to have it ripped away?
If it was, she didn’t know if she could take it. Maybe it would have been better for both her and George if she’d just walked away from her in-laws’ house that day. Maybe it would have been better if she’d stayed far, far away from the man who just then placed a warm and heavy hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.
“Don’t worry, we won’t let them take George from you, Liv. You’re her legal guardian. Nathan’s parents don’t have a leg to stand on, do they, Stanley?”
She heard the words uttered in Finn’s deep voice, but she wasn’t able to completely process them because her mind was currently occupied with her thoughts of moments before. They’d been like random puzzle pieces but were now melding together to form a clear image in her mind. In the center of the picture were George’s and Finn’s smiling faces.
They were Olivia’s happy. No, that wasn’t quite right. They were the reason she was able to find it again. They gave her back the ability to feel and know happiness. For so long, life had played out for her in black and white, but now shades of warm, vibrant color seeped into her days.
How had she not noticed that the smiles and laughter that she’d faked for so long, that she’d felt only on the surface, had become real and bone deep? She’d never expected to be truly happy again. To have those moments of pure joy that set your heart and mind on fire.
Maybe that’s why she hadn’t recognized the emotion for what it was. It had been creeping up on her slowly, quietly. Like George, Finn had found a way past the thick, ropy scars that had developed with each battle Cooper had lost until they fused together to form a hard, impenetrable shell. So now that she knew how she felt about them both, what was she going to do?
She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. Finn grinned. “George is rubbing off on you.” He kneaded her shoulder before he looked at Stanley and repeated his earlier question. “The Sutherlands don’t have a chance, do they?”
Dr. Bishop walked into the clinic, turning to hold the door open for two patients.
“It might be best if we have some privacy,” Stanley said.
“Take Stan to Doc Bishop’s office, Liv. I’ll be right there.” As though Finn registered her surprise that he planned to sit in on their meeting, he said, “You’re not dealing with this on your own. If I hadn’t called Nathan’s parents, this wouldn’t have happened. You have to let me help.”
“I want you to be part of this, Finn. But not because I blame you. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You were doing what you thought was best for me and George. Celeste and Walter would have eventually found out she was here.”
“Thank you,” he said, looking relieved, and then he went to speak to Dr. Bishop.
“I’m sorry, Livy. I should have known how far Celeste and Walter would go once word got out about George,” Stanley said as they made their way down the hall.
“I haven’t told anyone from my past about George, Stanley. I’m sure Anna wouldn’t have said—”
“When you stopped by your house that day with George, the Langstons and Ashbys saw you. They remarked on how much the little girl you were with looked like Nathan and Cooper. Obviously, Celeste assumed you were moving back to Boston, and word would eventually get out, so she gave her version of the story before you did.”
Olivia sighed and opened the door to Dr. Bishop’s office. Large with a sitting area, it was a better choice than Finn’s cramped, messy space. No matter how often Olivia organized it, he managed to turn it upside down within a day. “I should have known what was behind this. They don’t want George. This is all about saving face, presenting themselves as the dutiful grandparents.”
“There is that, but there’s more to it, Livy,” Stanley said as she closed the door. He took a seat in the plaid armchair.
She noted his ill-at-ease expression as she sat across from him on the small, brown leather couch. “Ah, I see, so they believe I’m unstable, an unfit parent,” she said, repeating words they’d said to her in the past.
If they were going to talk about this, she was glad Finn wasn’t there. She didn’t want him to know what she’d done. It would change how he looked at her. She didn’t want to see the judgment in his eyes.
Stanley made an uncomfortable sound in his throat. “I’m afraid so. But there were mitigating circumstances, and it was two years ago, so I don’t think we have to worry abo
ut that if you decide to fight them on this, Livy.”
“What do you mean, if I decide to fight them? Of course I plan to, Stanley. George is mine.”
There was a touch of self-satisfaction in the smile that creased his face. “Does that mean Nathan and I are no longer the horrible, callous bastards you thought we were last month?”
“Just because I’ve come to love George doesn’t mean you two somehow become the heroes of the story, Stanley.” Though she wouldn’t admit it to him, she no longer saw them as the villains either. It seemed that lately she was looking at the world and the people in it through a different set of lenses. Ones that weren’t colored by pain and sorrow.
“You don’t know how happy I am that she’s found a place in your heart, Livy. I know Nathan would feel the same.”
“And Isabella, I wonder how she would feel?” Olivia had been making a concerted effort to regularly mention both of George’s parents to her.
She wanted the little girl to feel comfortable talking about them. And she never wanted George to feel that she was trying to replace them, especially her mother. Just as Olivia made sure George never felt like she was using her as a replacement for Cooper. As though George was using her own psychological ploys against Olivia, she brought up Cooper almost daily. Olivia found that the pain wasn’t so all encompassing when she talked about him now. It seemed she and George were healing together.
Stanley shrugged. “I didn’t know Isabella that well. Her family were missionaries from France. She grew up in Kenya. Loved the land and its people. It’s something she and Nathan…” He trailed off, looking uncomfortable.
“It’s all right, Stanley. Having George around has made me examine my relationship with Nathan more closely. Cooper getting sick changed us. Or maybe not so much changed us as showed us who we really were, how we perceived things, how we dealt with things. We hadn’t worked for a long time. We didn’t function as a team,” she said at the same time Finn opened the door and walked in, looking as ridiculously handsome as he always did in the light-blue shirt that matched his beautiful eyes.
