Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I ask her about her work. She works in a bank in middle management, which doesn’t surprise me. I always knew that Melissa would be successful whatever she did.
She glances at my fingers. “Are you seeing anyone?”
I groan and shake my head. “That’s another long, messy story. It’ll need a stronger drink than coffee.”
Melissa laughs. “We have a date then. You can tell me about your messy love life and hopefully, I’ll have something from Georgina. You always did make my life more exciting.” She grows solemn. “I’ve missed you, Olivia.”
“I’ve missed you too.” We exchange numbers and promised to meet next week on Friday for a drink. We hug outside the cafeteria and I make my way to the elevators.
I’m still smiling at my stroke of good luck in meeting Melissa when the elevator doors open and I enter.
“Hold the elevator,” a familiar voice calls out.
Jace sprints in and presses the button to close the doors. “Hey, I see you made a new friend.”
I shrug. “A face from the past. We used to be in college together.”
Jace is not listening. He’s eyes are glued to my lips. He closes the distance between us and pulls me roughly into his arms. A giggle escapes my mouth. It dies in his mouth as he gives me a bone-tingling kiss.
Chapter 25: Jace
After my meeting with the representative of a medical supply company, I head to our small PR department to check on the progress of the brochure. It’s a three-person department, headed by Heather, a woman in her thirties with a passion for marketing.
The brochures are ready and she shows me a sample. It’s colorful with pictures of smiling patients and staff. My interest though, is in the pieces that Olivia wrote. I turn the booklet page and see her name. She will be so proud to see her first byline: By Olivia James.
I read the story and within seconds I’m pulled into the story of Essie, a thirty-eight-year-old woman whose time was running out to have the baby she so badly wanted. She opted to go with a sperm donor and chose The Anderson Clinic for its good reputation and experience, having been in the industry for almost twenty years.
It’s a story I’ve heard from our patients many times but the way that Olivia has written it makes it personal and different. It’s a short article but it’s heartwarming and it leaves you feeling like you know Essie.
“She’s good, isn’t she?” Heather says. “She ought to be writing as a full-time job. She’s better than so many professional writers. Has she taken a writing course?”
I shake my head. “Not that I know of.” The first time Olivia showed her work was to Ivy. I wish she could hear the compliments. “Yes, she’s very good. Can you send me a digital copy of the brochure?”
“Sure,” Heather says.
I read the other two stories and they are just as good. If I was going through fertility challenges and read those stories, I’d be on my way to The Anderson Clinic. I’m so proud of Olivia. It’s insane that she’s keeping that kind of talent to herself.
It’s one thing to encourage her to do something with it but maybe she doesn’t know how. In all my arrogance, I haven’t considered that not everyone can see the straight path of their career. What practical help can I offer Olivia so that when she leaves the clinic, she can focus on her writing? If I don’t do something I’m afraid she’ll apply for another temp job and who knows, that one might become permanent and there goes her dreams.
I know it’s easy to lose sight of your dreams when you get caught up in something else. The answer comes to me. I’ll send Adam, an old friend of mine and the editor of a small publication that comes out once a week, samples of Olivia’s writing. Adam will give me some ideas on the way forward for Olivia. Back in my office, Olivia is on a call but she shoots me a smile and blows me a kiss. I go into the office feeling like I’ve won love’s lottery with Olivia in my life.
Heather has already sent me the digital copy of the brochure. I click on it until Olivia’s first article shows. I read it again and I’m impressed all over again. I open a new email document and after writing to Adam, I attach the brochure. I hit send and sit back, proud of myself.
Olivia and I have lunch together at my offices. Chicken sandwiches brought up from the cafeteria and coffee from the kitchenette. Dylan and I used to bitch when Alec started dating Ivy and he rarely wanted to meet up with me anymore. I get it now. I’d rather have lunch with Olivia in my office than go meet my brothers at the café downstairs. I mean, we’ve been together all our lives.