Page 162 of See You Maybe
“I need to get back,” Olivia insisted, as she dressed two days later in the clothes Declan had arranged for her.
She watched as Declan shoved a hand back through his hair. “I can’t leave so soon after I’ve been reinstated.”
Disappointment hit her hard. Olivia had known when Declan said they would go back to Atlanta right away that it wasn’t likely. “I know. It’s fine.” She slipped her feet into a pair of heels she’d found inside the shopping bags. “I’ll see you in a few days for Cami’s birthday.”
Declan looked at his watch. “If I move my meeting with the finance department, I can ride with you to the airport.”
Olivia swallowed, anxiety thickening in her throat. They would make this work. They had to.
“It’s fine. Oscar and I have your driver.”
Declan’s eyes clouded. “Alex has assured me that the Albanians are no longer interested in me, but your security will still be with you. I’ve made arrangements for us to stay at the St. Regis until the repairs on your house are finished. The contractor doesn’t think it will take more than a week.”
“I saw the email.” Olivia said. “Structurally, the house is fine. It’s only windows and doors.”
Declan looked uncertain. “If it weren’t?—”
“I understand, Declan. You need to be here right now for the transition.”
Olivia understood, but it didn’t mean it hurt any less. Declan carried her bag and set it on the back seat of the black SUV that had stopped in the circular drive.
“I’ll be back for the party. I swear.”
Olivia forced a smile and pressed her lips to his. “You better, because I’m pretty sure they are announcing more than just Cami is a year older.”
“What do you mean?” His brow furrowed.
She shook her head. “I mean, she didn’t drink any wine at our girls’ night, and the look on her face when she insisted you be there.”
“She was being polite.”
Olivia cupped his face. “No, Declan. Your family wants you. Not the CEO or the fixer. They want their brother there for all the important moments.”
She resisted the urge to kiss away the tight lines between his eyes. “I’ll see you soon.”
Declan gave her a hand up into the SUV, but hesitated before shutting the door. “Olivia.”
“I love you, Declan.”
It wasn’t until she was curled up under a blanket and staring at the clouds that it hit Olivia that this would be their life. Comparing schedules, finding windows where they could spend time together… a tear slipped down her cheek.
Meetings took up most of her afternoon, but Olivia was finding it almost impossible to focus. Her thoughts were consumed with Declan and their future. He’d fought so hard to get Bloom Communications back, she couldn’t ask him to give that up now. But she also didn’t want to live a separate life from him. Only one real option remained. She would have to leave Armstrong Electronics.
Melissa popped her head in the door, interrupting her thoughts. “Stuart called. He needs you to meet him in the warehouse.”
Olivia frowned. “Not in his lab?”
Melissa shrugged. “I couldn’t hear him very well. You know how bad the coverage is out there. He said you needed to see something before your meeting with the senators.”
That doesn’t sound good.
Olivia closed down the file she was working on. Stuart wasn’t a worrier, and if he said he needed her, something must be wrong.
Taking the elevator to the first floor, Olivia swiped her badge to access the hallway leading to the attached warehouse. The door slammed shut behind her just as a hand covered her mouth, followed by a sharp sting in her neck. Olivia immediately fought. A loud grunt sounded in her ear when her heel connected with a shin.
“You said it would knock her out.” Through the fog quickly overtaking her brain, she recognized Kyle’s voice.
Concentrate, Olivia. Stay awake.