Chapter 40: Olivia

“Well…okay. If you’re sure you don’t want to join us.” Her face looked as crestfallen as she sounded.

Patrick kept smiling, doing his best to mollify the disappointed woman. “We’ll see you tonight. Enjoy your afternoon,” he said as he followed Olivia into the elevator, the doors closing right behind him.

“You could have gone with them, you know,” Olivia said once the elevator jerked into motion, her stoic gaze fixed on the doors. “I said I’m going to take a nap.” Why she was instigating the brewing argument, she didn’t know. She just didn’t want him to feel like he was obligated to stay behind with her when there was somewhere else he’d rather be. Or someone else he’d rather be around.

“Maybe I didn’t want to go with them.” He didn’t glance at her, but instead, continued staring at the climbing digital numbers. “Maybe I want to be with you, like I said.” The elevator stopped on the eighth floor and he gestured for her to exit first.