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“She didn’t want you to know.”
“Why? I’m her friend. I’m angry; she didn’t tell me.”
“Because of Cassie. She knew how sensitive you are to the subject.”
“Be that as it may, she should have told me. I’d like to throttle that asshole fiancé of hers.”
“She thought Joshua changed, but it seems that he’s the same old guy. When they last broke up, I know she said that it was because she was going to California, but a lot of other things weren’t going right in their relationship.”
“He sold her a bill of goods just to get back in her life?”
“Pretty much. I never liked him. His family isn’t very nice to her, either.”
My blood begins to boil. I want to get her right now, right this very minute.
“I’m going home,” I grind out. “We’ll get this worked out. I want to go to Chicago to get her. Can you give me Jordan’s number so I can speak to him? Olivia needs some support, not just a nurse.”
Lexi nods and reads Jordan’s number to me so I can add him to my phone. I kiss her, and JC walks me to the door.
“Olivia has a long hard road, but she needs to be home where people love her,” JC says before I leave. His underlying statement is not lost on me.
“JC, I think I do love her. I think I’ve loved her for a long time. I let my guilt overtake my true feelings.”
He nods. “She needs you now.”
When I get home, the first thing I do is fall apart on the terrace. I can’t lose Olivia the way I did, Cassie. To lose two women that I love would break me forever. After I’m all cried out, I go to the bathroom to wash my face with cold water. Then I steel myself for the conversation I’m going to have with Olivia.
The phone rings a few times, making me nearly lose my nerves before she picks up.
“Lucian, how are you?” She sounds tired and weak.
“The question is, how are you?”
A pause. “You talked to Lexi, didn’t you?”
“Olivia, why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Lexi told me that you’re coming back to New York. I want to take care of you.”
Rather than responding to my offer, she says, “I can’t stay here with Joshua. He’s been so horrible to me.”
I ball my fist up so tight that my nails dig into my palm. “Where is he?”
“He went out with his friends. He said this isn’t working for him.”
“I swear, if I come out there, I’m going to beat him within an inch of his life.”
Olivia starts to cry. “I made a mistake. I should have known. I have such shitty judgment when it comes to relationships.”
“We’re going to get you home. Jordan is going to send a plane, and I’m coming to get you. We’re hiring a nurse for the trip.”
“I don’t know how I’m going to thank everyone. I feel bad about Lexi having to bunk the two kids in together.”
“You’re not staying with her. You’re staying with me. I have a guest room, and I can take time off work to take you to your treatments and care for you.”
“Lucian, I can’t. It’s too much.”
