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)
My thoughts turn to Adam. I can’t wait to hear what advice he’ll have for Olivia.
“You look very pleased with yourself,” she says and takes a sip of her coffee.
“I enjoy looking at you.” I’m so excited that I sent Adam her work. He’ll be excited about her writing as everyone is, apart from Olivia herself. I have no doubt that she’ll go far if she makes the decision to pursue her passion. I hope she’ll be open to it. When it comes to her writing, Olivia can get weird.
“I’ll miss you this evening.” I’m going to my parents’ house for dinner and Olivia is meeting with her friend for drinks and dinner. “You can change your mind if you want.”
She laughs. “Melissa will kill me if I cancel.”
“I know.” The memory of her refusing to meet my parents comes to my mind. Maybe one day, she’ll want to meet them.
I finish the rest of my sandwich and wash it down with a huge gulp of coffee. “I finally have an idea for the free clinic that will work.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ve never been for the idea of a one-day free clinic and not because I don’t like helping.”
“I know. You are the kindest, sweetest person I know,” Olivia says.
I’m glad she doesn’t think I’m some kind of mad capitalist obsessed with the clinic’s profits. “Thank you.”
“What’s your idea?” Olivia says biting the last of her sandwich. Her appetite has improved considerably and if I’m not mistaken, she’s filled out a bit.
“What if we get several referrals a month, say five, from the local hospitals then we can treat those patients for free using all our resources. Just as we would a paying patient. That way, we won’t interfere in the running of the clinic and we won’t shortchange our paying clients. What do you think?”
Olivia mulls over what I’ve said. That’s another thing I love about her. She doesn’t jump in to give her opinion. She thinks things through so that when she does state her opinion it’s well thought out. She would make a great journalist.
“It’s a genius idea,” she says. “You give back to society without compromising the quality of care that you give your patients.”
“Exactly.” We stare at each other in perfect understanding. I hope that my family, especially Dylan, will think it a great idea, though it’s unlikely. He’ll accuse me of being precious about wealthy people but that’s not it at all. It’s about keeping the clinic’s standards and the promise we make to our patients. He doesn’t get that or he doesn’t want to.
Olivia and I leave the office together at a few minutes past five. I give her a ride to her apartment as she left her car at home. I park outside her apartment and kill the engine, not ready to say goodbye. She’s not in a rush either and we sit chatting for a few minutes.
When the conversation lulls for a few seconds, I turn to Olivia. I need us to discuss the future. I need to know that Olivia cares about it as much as I do. I understand that there are people who are into letting things flow and I’m guessing Olivia is one of those. She doesn’t like making plans for the future at all. Not with her career and not with us. I’m the opposite. I need goals and plans. I need a road map or I feel lost. And right now, I’m feeling a bit lost.
“I feel as if we are on a countdown. Three weeks to go and Sarah is back.”
“I know what you mean. It’s on my mind a lot. I’m going to miss you.” Olivia becomes teary which takes me by surprise.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere.” I’m touched by how emotional she is but it’s not necessary. “Come here.” I slip my hand around her neck and pull her to me. The tip of her nose feels warm to the touch and she giggles when I rub my nose against hers. “That’s better.”
“I don’t know what came over me,” Olivia says, her warm breath fanning my face.
“It’s okay. We’re used to being together all day. It’ll take some getting used to.”
Olivia cups my face and brings her face to mine. I revel in the delicate softness of the light kiss. Her lips are full and gentle, the touch of her fingers electric on my face and burning me from the inside out. For some inexplicable reason, the kiss leaves me feeling sad. As if it’s the last time we’ll be together. I’m not normally a morose person.
I’m not the only one who is feeling it. Olivia leans her forehead against mine. I feel her sadness as acutely as I feel my own. I slant my lips over hers to kiss her again. She melts into me and lets out a soft moan. A moan that is begging me to take off her clothes and make love to her. I wish we weren’t in the car.