Page 15 of 7 Days and 7 Nights

“What?”

“Do you feel good about the advice you just gave that poor woman?”

“I don’t know which poor woman you’re referring to unless you mean one of the naked ones you’ve been ogling for the last forty-five minutes.”

“I’m talking about JoBeth and all that bullshit about cows and free milk.”

“It may be bullshit to you, but to that woman, it’s a question of self-preservation. I’m entirely comfortable with the advice I gave her. If it weren’t for commitment-phobes like you and that Dawg she’s in love with, relationships wouldn’t be so damned difficult.”

They glared at each other, neither willing to look away first. After a long moment, Olivia drew a calming breath and pulled her wrist out of his grasp. She’d known all along that the only way to survive the week was by maintaining her distance. Turning her back on him, she retrieved her tote bag from the floor next to the console and pulled out a sheaf of papers.

Coming to stand in front of him, she waved them in his face. “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up some suggestions for our time together.”

She saw him bite back a laugh and watched the insulting glint of amusement steal into his eyes.

“I’ll be glad to read them to you, if necessary. They don’t have as many pictures as your usual reading material.”

She handed the pages over one at a time, practically nailing them to his chest with her finger. “This is a bathroom schedule. I’ve blocked out the mornings for myself since I have to be up and on the air by nine o’clock. I wasn’t sure what time of day you liked to shower, so I left your side blank.”

When he didn’t comment, she continued. "I usually just grab a sandwich or something, but I’m willing to make extra for you and leave it in the fridge so we can eat

in shifts. That way we won’t be tripping over each other in the kitchen.”

He studied her from beneath sable lashes most women would kill for.

“I figured whoever ate last could handle cleanup. Obviously, on this chart you’re ‘M’ and I’m ‘O.’ ”

“Obviously.”

"We should probably work out a schedule for the television, too. There are only a few shows I want to keep up with, but I don’t really care when I watch them.” She handed him a blank form and cleared her throat. “I’ve gone ahead and divided the living area into two sections so that we each have a place to sit and relax without intruding on the other.”

Matt walked the three steps to the refrigerator and took out a beer. Bringing it back to the living room, he took the diagram she handed him—the one with a dotted

line down the middle of the sofa—took a long sip of beer and sat right in the middle of her section. Then he put his feet on “her” half of the cocktail table and looked up into

her eyes. “Tell me, Olivia, just what is it about me that makes you so uncomfortable?” He took another swig of beer while he considered her from beneath hooded eyes.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Matt. I just want to be sure you understand what’s acceptable. Take dressing and undressing, for example.”

“You’re planning to tell me when to dress and undress?” He set his beer down and flipped through the sheaf of papers. “I can’t wait to see this diagram.”

“There is no visual aid because there’s only one rule: If you’re not dressed, you need to be behind closed doors. No wandering around out here shirtless or in your boxers.” Lord knew she didn’t need the temptation.

"Well, you’ve certainly spent a lot of energy thinking all this out, Olivia. It’s very... industrious of you.” He paused. “I’ll be sure and give your suggestions the consideration they deserve.”

He folded the sheaf of papers in half, doubled them over once more, and shoved the whole wad into the back pocket of his jeans. Then he cocked his head in her direction and said, “I guess getting you to put on that thong would be out of the question right now?”

Chapter Six

Lunchtime at the Magnolia Diner was no time for

deep thought, a fact JoBeth appreciated at this particular point in her life. She’d already wasted an inordinate amount of time worrying over her relationship with Dawg Rollins, and an embarrassing amount in tears since she’d moved out two days ago. Crying over her disappointments was a luxury she’d never before allowed herself, and she wasn’t wild about the idea now. She might not have a whole lot else, but she’d always had her pride.

Hefting her loaded tray high over one shoulder, JoBeth snatched up a fresh pot of coffee with her free hand and backed through the swinging door. Before she swung around to face her waiting customers, she found and put on her brightest smile. A good waitress didn’t bring her personal problems to work. And she didn’t slack off because some fool man had gone and mangled her heart.

“Hey, Bert.” One-handed, she set the tray on a serving stand and commenced to dole out the food, refilling coffee mugs as she worked her way around the table of four.

“How’s that new grandbaby of yours?”

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