Page 78 of See You Maybe

The weight on her lungs eased a little as she brought the world around her into focus. A few more controlled breaths and she lowered her hand, grateful that she’d made it to the privacy of her office before the attack had gotten really bad.

Intellectually, Olivia knew there was nothing to be embarrassed about. She no longer saw Dr. Turner regularly, but the therapist had helped her understand that the panic attacks and anxiety-induced migraines came from years of living in a perpetual state of fight or flight in her home.

Olivia didn’t have them for months at a time, but she didn’t need to look far to see what had brought them back. The stress of the last few months had been extreme, and Olivia hadn’t been eating or sleeping well. Add in Declan’s reappearance…

Her heart finally slowed to a regular pace, and with a shaky exhale, Olivia slipped her shoes back on. Freaking out wouldn’t solve anything.

Conversation buzzed outside her door and she knew everyone was worried, wondering if they were still employed. Olivia couldn’t promise them anything yet, but she could make sure her numbers were bulletproof and do her best to advocate for them.

Would it be enough?

Over their last few interactions, there had been moments Olivia saw glimpses of the Declan she remembered: taking care of her in New York, teasing her in line at the liquor store... But it was almost as though those pieces had slipped out against his will, and the weakness angered him.

A knock sounded on her door, and Olivia sighed, lifting her hands off her keyboard.

Melissa stuck her head in the door, eyes wide. “Richard has left for the day.”

Olivia frowned. Why was that something she needed to know? Richard rarely worked full days anymore.

Her receptionist bit her lip. “Um, Kyle is storming around screaming downstairs. What do you want me to do?”

Olivia stared at her for a second before making a decision. “Nothing. He’s not my biggest problem right now.” Melissa started to close the door, but Olivia called her back. “Can you send out an office wide memo for me?”

“Did you fuck him?” Kyle snarled when she came out of the ladies’ room late that afternoon.

“Go away.” Olivia moved to brush past him in the hallway, but his hand clamped hard on her wrist, wrenching it up between them as he stepped into her space. She could smell the alcohol on his breath, and her stomach twisted. Kyle and liquor were never a good combination, and the knowledge that they were likely alone in the building, because she’d sent everyone home early, sent fear spiraling through her.

“Let go of me.” Olivia tried to keep her voice firm, but it came out breathy and she hated herself for it.

After two years, why did he still have this effect on her? She had no problem standing up for herself with anyone else.

Instead of moving back, he used his grip to shove her backward, and her head bounced against the wall.

Kyle’s eyes glittered. “I saw the way he looked at you. Did you fuck him in New York? Did you come up with this plan to screw me. Was that your plan all along?” Tiny bubbles formed at the corners of his mouth, and Olivia’s throat closed.

His chest slammed hard into hers, pinning her to the wall, making it hard to breathe. As much as she wanted to be brave, her eyes slid away. “Kyle?—”

“Tell me the truth!” He roared in her face, his body shaking like he might lose control.

This is not good.

“I was just as surprised as you were today.” Olivia hated her mollifying tone, but she needed to get away from him. Sober Kyle was bad enough, he never did anything that left a mark. Drunk Kyle was a totally different story.

“Did. You. Fuck. Him.” His eyes narrowed, and he pushed his face even closer, his hot breath on her face making her want to throw up.

“Of course not.”

Kyle leaned his head back and stared into her face. Olivia held perfectly still, ashamed that he could still elicit this reaction from her.

He smirked. “You tried though, didn’t you? I saw how you were staring at him during the gala. I saw how drunk you were. Stumbling up the stairs… You made a fool of yourself.”

Olivia didn’t defend herself. It would only make things worse. Kyle gave her arm a vicious twist before letting go and stepping back. Olivia let out her breath slowly, not wanting him to see how terrified she’d been.

“He rejected you, didn’t he?” He gave her a quick once over. “Been there done that, right?” Kyle’s laugh was cruel. “Jessica told me all about how that guy played you. Had you spreading your legs like a whore after you met him in a bar. Lied about who he was.” He adopted a falsetto. “Be nice to her, Kyle. This is hard for Livvy. She really had a thing for this guy, and he didn’t even remember who she was.”

Olivia felt the blood drain from her head and ice spread through her stomach.

Jessica told him? Why?