Complications(21)

But instant relief coursed through him when he heard her softened voice, “No, Alex. Of course not. No regrets whatsoever.”

The utter honesty in her tone pacified him and he relaxed. She was a marvel. Alex was used to women who manipulated and lied to get what they wanted. Julia. Any of his past lovers or girlfriends. They had all been the same.

But Olivia was different. Even though he had known her for less than a week, he didn’t think her capable of being cold. Everything she felt, all her emotions were front and center. Not locked away or hidden behind sultry smiles and carefully applied make-up. It was a beautiful thing to see. And to experience.

“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” Alex admitted quietly even though he felt slightly uncomfortable with the revelation. He wasn’t someone to voice what he was feeling liberally. He had learned that early in life.

He could hear the smile in Olivia’s voice when she shyly replied, “Right back at you.”

Alex looked down at his feet, feeling his heart beat faster. Christ. He was in trouble when it came to her. Big trouble. “What time will you be done cleaning up tomorrow?”

“Um, probably sometime around eight,” came her response. He could imagine her biting her full bottom lip, brow furrowed in concentration.

“Do you want me to come pick you up? I can stop by after work,” he suggested, wondering if she had transportation since her shop was so close to her apartment.

“I’ll probably swing by my apartment to change first. I have a car, so I can just meet at your place. Do I need a permit at all for guest parking?” she asked.

Amusement blossomed in his chest at her thoroughness. “No. I have a house, so you can just park in the driveway.”

“Oh, okay,” she said, sounding surprised. He figured it was rather odd, since he was only 30 and had no family. But the house fit his modern tastes perfectly and he had never liked apartment style living.

“Do you have something to write down my address with or do you want me to text it to you?”

“Wow, I’m shocked you didn’t take a stab at my aversion to texting,” she teased.

He grinned, “I’m always a gentleman.”

“You thought about a wisecrack though, just admit it,” she responded.

“I may have,” he said nonchalantly, enjoying her playfulness. “It would have gone something like ‘I’d rather you write down the address since you’d probably accidentally delete it.’”

“Just for that, I want you to text it me,” she said. “I’ll even text you back when I receive it.”

“Deal,” Alex murmured. Her sassiness was seriously turning him on right now.

Commotion sounded on the other end. He heard a female voice say, “Jeeze, I’m sorry, Livy. Boss from hell was being a bitchy tyrant today after we got in a shipment.”

“Alex, I have to go. My friend’s here. I’ll see you tomorrow night though,” she said.

“I’ll text you my address now. See you soon.”

They said their goodbyes and Alex hung up the phone smiling. He opened up his text messages and wrote out a text to Olivia with his address.

He was slipping on a jacket about to head out his front door when his phone beeped. It was from Olivia.

See? I’m a perfect texter. I deserve a medal.

Alex grinned and pushed reply. I stand corrected. I’ll reward you tomorrow night with something better than a medal. ;)

A few minutes later as Alex folded himself behind the wheel of his car, Olivia replied.



Looking forward to it. I’d do the winky face too but I can’t figure out how.

Yes, Alex was definitely in trouble when it came to her.





Chapter Eight




Olivia blew out a nervous breath as she pulled into the curve of Alex’s semi-circular driveway. She parked behind a sleek, black Audi and figured it was his car. Olivia stared at it and then at the house just beyond it. Just two more reasons why Alex was so out of her league.

Yet, here she was.

With a final deep breath, she climbed out of her trusty Honda. She grabbed her large tote bag from the backseat, which held a fresh change of clothes, her toothbrush, and some makeup. Her weekend manager would be running the shop for the next couple days, giving Olivia a much needed break, but she still wanted to look decent for Alex tomorrow morning.

She noticed the air was a bit crisper than normal. She had gone home to shower quickly and change after work, but her dark wash jeans and light lavender cardigan suddenly seemed more suited for warmer weather. Not that it mattered. Alex would surely tempt her soon enough with his dark eyes and her carefully chosen outfit would turn into a wrinkled pile on the floor.