Page 67 of Ice Cold Hearts
Don't freak out. That's going to take some time, and by the time she does anything, everyone who matters will know already.
It feels ugly for me to be grateful for the rift between Oliver and his family, but I can beat myself up over that in therapy. Right now, anything that makes it harder for her to get those pictures and ruin our lives is a win in my book.
Note to self: do not reschedule therapy with Dr. Feller again this week.
She turns to me with a cat-like smirk. “Come to think of it, I’m fairly certain you knew Oliver before this as well, didn’t you? I think I remember your coming in a little over four years ago. Maybe you can give us a little then and now blurb about Oliver, hmm?”
“Will you tell Oliver we're here? I'm his ride today,” I say, refusing to give her any kind of reaction.
“Oh, I’m sure you are.” She grins nastily. “But I’m afraid he’s not here.”
“I’m just going to text him,” I say flatly.
I do not have the time or the patience to deal with this today. I whip out my phone and text our group chat.
Emily - Not sure if she told you, but we're here.
Oliver - OMW.
Liza’s eyes narrow when Oliver appears, but her smile remains plastered on her face.
Audrey plants her hands on her hips. “Giant, I’m here to get you.”
He growls. “Try it, Little Pea, and I’ll eat you up.”
Audrey squeals then launches herself at him. Oliver tosses her up in the air and blows a massive raspberry on her cheek before settling her onto his hip.
“How come you didn’t tell me they were here?” Oliver asks.
Liza affects a concerned tone. “With all the media attention you’ve been getting lately, I was worried. There are some real freaks out there who will do anything to get to you. I didn’t want some deranged fan to come in and hurt you. I wasn’t even sure she knew you until she texted you just now.”
He raises an eyebrow but nods understandingly at Liza. “Well, these ladies have V.I.P. access to me from now on.” He turns to the receptionist and winks. “Make a note of that, Phyllis, and there’ll be a spa basket in it for you.”
She beams. “Yes, Mr. McKenna.”
“So sorry about that mix-up.” Her voice is friendly but her eyes are frigid.
It feels like she’s dissecting me with her glare, and I fight the urge to squirm under her gaze.
Oliver escorts us out with a polite wave to Liza and Phyllis.
As we climb into the car, he says, “I know how you feel about her, but she’s not that bad. She’s just a little too overprotective sometimes.”
If Liza tells him before I do, she’s going to spin it in the worst possible way, and based on his reaction to her “explanation”, there’s no way he’ll ever listen to my side of things.
I have to stick to my plan and tell him, but how?
22
ALEXEI
Ihad no idea how much went into getting a toddler ready for a night away from home. Emily makes it look so easy. She just shows up here toting a magic bag containing everything Audrey can think to ask for. I now know the reality is far more brutal.
Not even in my wildest dreams would I have believed that Mrs. Hayes could be anything like Coach, but when we were putting Audrey’s things together, I don’t know that I could have told them apart. All Emily’s mom needed was a whistle and they’d be completely identical. She was frighteningly efficient. She managed to walk me through the entire process of packing the bag while simultaneously dropping hints about ideal proposal times. If Emily had been there, she would have been furious, but I found it rather amusing.
It’s all made worth it when Audrey comes bursting into the living room like she’d been shot out of a cannon. She immediately starts rummaging through the bag and pulls out a doll.
“Princess Fettuccini! I knew they wouldn’t forget you!” She squeezes the doll to her chest.