Page 11 of Love Under Construction

“I hate you,” she finally says as she gets up, carrying her trash into the kitchen.

“That’s nothing new, Liv.”

“I hate that you call me ‘Liv’ too.”

“I know,” I smirk. “That’s why I do it.”

Coming back into the living room, she sits sideways on the couch so that she’s looking right at me. “Let’s say you did know more about my dad. Would you tell me?”

“In favor of being honest, no. I wouldn’t. And I know that’s going to piss you off more, but I have my reasons. One day, you’ll get it.”

“Yep. You can go now, we ate. I’m going to pack. You. Can. Leave. But do me one favor?” She stands again. “Have sex with Sara, somewhere else tonight. Let me have what little sleep I may get without listening to you fucking her.”

I shouldn’t laugh, but my resolve cracks and I can’t stand it anymore. “That was a one-time thing.”

“You. Are. A. Liar!” Liv picks up one of her fancy throw pillows and chucks it at my head. “I canhearyou,” she stops. “Unless, oh, eww, is it a different woman every night? Are you some sex fiend?”

Her face is so serious right now. And she’s so very wrong.

“It’s porn,” I confess.

Liv’s mouth drops open then closes again. “No.”

“Yes.” I chuckle. “Once I found out that you could hear what was happening in my bedroom, I decided to have a little fun with you. I mean, I guess you could say it was mutually beneficial, though my hand could use a break. Between banging a hammer and well...banging one out, I think I’m getting carpal tunnel, and I’ve got blisters too.”

She blinks slowly as my words sink in.. “I. You. What the fuck? Do you have some high def sound system in your bedroom or what?”

“Come over sometime and find out,” I say with an eyebrow waggle.

Another throw pillow comes my way. “I hate you even more now.”

“I’m okay with this.” Because I’ve brought a smile to her face, and for a moment in time, I’ve distracted her from the fact that her world is about to crumble.

“Shit,” Liv quickly reaches for her phone. “I have to call my dog walker and see if she can take Peaches on such short notice, while I’m gone.”

I put my hand over hers and stop her from dialing, “I’ll keep her. Don’t worry about it.”

“You. You’ll watch my girl?”

As if she knows we’re talking about her, Peaches perks her head up and looks at the two of us. “Yep. I’ll watch her at my place.”

“Would it be a pain in the ass for you to drop her here in the mornings so her walker can still come by and take her out during the day?”

“No problem at all. It’s not like you live so far away,” I shoot her a wink.

Liv watches me pensively while I gather up my trash and get rid of it. When I’m back in the living room, I stretch and take a quick look around. Moving quickly before she can stop me, I head for where I assume her bedroom is, given her apartment layout damn near mimics mine. “Now, let’s go pack. I’ll take care of your bras and panties.”

Chapter 7

Olivia

Twenty-four hours ago,everything in my life was fine. Perfect. Amazing, mostly. I was blissfully happy and so very unaware in New York. From the moment I stepped off the plane this morning, my world has been flipped upside down.

I thought the airline losing my luggage, since I was one pound over and they made me check my bag, would be the worst of it.I was wrong.Frank, the driver, my parents sent, informs me that we’re heading straight for the hospital as he holds open the passenger door for me.

The drive isn’t long, thankfully. I’m not sure how much longer I can stand the anxiety that’s sitting on my chest from not knowing what’s going on.

Frank lets me out at the main entrance, and I hustle inside. I had hoped my mom would be down here waiting for me when I walked in, considering I called to let her know we were almost here, but she’s not. I give my dad’s name to the woman behind the information desk and watch as her friendly smile fades slightly as she hands me a badge and directs me to the elevators.

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