Page 23 of Count Your Lucky Stars
She was just happy there was laundry on-site. “I think I might run a load of darks before bed. I can throw yours in with mine, if you want.”
For some inexplicable reason, the tips of Margot’s ears went pink. “It’s fine.”
“Are you sure? Because I don’t mind.” Laundry was one of those tasks she actually enjoyed, unlike washing dishes, which she did, but not without massive amounts of internal grumbling.
Margot nibbled on her lip for a moment before laughing under her breath. “You know what? Sure. You handled my vibrator, like, ten minutes ago. I guess touching my underwear is pretty tame by comparison.”
Handledwasn’t quite the word Olivia would have used. In a perfect world, her ideal scenario of how she might handle Margot’s vibrator would’ve included far less clothing.
“All right.” She forced herself to focus back on the list instead of the fantasy playing out inside her head. “Let’s see. I, uh, kind of googled a list of crucial conversations to have with a new roommate, but some of these sound silly since . . .” Her tongue darted out, wetting her bottom lip. “Like you said, we know each other. Unless you developed any allergies I don’t know about . . .”
“It would be news to me.”
Olivia smiled. “I guess we don’t really need to talk about pets, since you’re alreadywellaware I have a cat.”
Margot snorted. “I don’t know. I asked Cameron what I needed to know about cats. He didn’t give me much to work off, but something tells menothingcould’ve prepared me for what happened in the hall.”
At least she was able to laugh about it. This would’ve been painfully awkward had Margot been pissed.
“How are your brothers, by the way?” she asked. “Cameron’s working as a vet, right?”
If Margot’s earlier statement hadn’t been a clue, Olivia was pretty sure she’d seen his name added to the sign outside the animal clinic a few years back.
“Mm-hmm.” A soft smile crossed Margot’s face. “He is. And Andrew’s down in San Diego, working on his master’s in marine biology. They’re both good. My parents, too.”
Even if they’d spent more time at Olivia’s house growing up, Olivia had always liked Margot’s family. They were loud and expressive and had always made Olivia feel welcome. “I’m happy to hear that.”
“My mom actually asked if I’d heard from you. I told her you were living here now.”
Not for the first time, Olivia wondered whether Margot had told her family,anyone, what had happened between them. Even leaving out the specifics, just thatsomethinghad happened. It was unlikely. “Bet that took her by surprise.”
Margot shrugged. “Kind of? I think she thought you were still married. I know Cam thought you were. Dad knew.” Margot’s nose wrinkled. “He’s such a damned gossip.”
Olivia chuckled. “Is he still teaching?”
“Nah. He retired... two years ago? Being home all the time is driving him nuts, so says my mom, at least. So what does he decide to do? He joins the HOA and this local book club full of grannies. I swear, you can’t sneeze in that town without my dad knowing about it.”
Olivia clapped a hand over her mouth. “I think I know the book club you’re talking about. Brad’s grandmother—the one who actually liked me—is a member.”
She was pretty sure they didn’t evenreadthe books they selected, they just got together to drink and dish the dirt.
“Andthatwould explain how he knew about you and Brad.” Margot shut her eyes and laughed softly. “Leave it to my dad.” She opened her eyes, hair sweeping against the sharp curve of her jaw when she tilted her head to the side. “How’s your dad doing, by the way?”
“He’s good.” Olivia swallowed hard. “I mean, he’s doing better now. He, um, he had a heart attack at the same time I was going through the divorce. So, almost a year ago?”
“Jesus, Liv.” Margot’s brow puckered. “I’m really sorry to hear that.”
Talking about this put a lump in her throat she hadn’t expected, but maybe she should’ve. Margot was the first person she’d told, the first person she’d talked about this with outside of doctors and nurses and hospital staff and Brad. Her friends from school had all moved away, and the ones who had moved back or never left had all acted like divorce was contagious. They’d all been polite, but that was it. An act.
Margot had never been like that. With Margot, what you saw was what you got, and Olivia hadalwaysbeen a fan of what she’d seen.
“Thanks.” Olivia tucked her hair behind her ears and scratched the side of her neck. “It was mild. As mild as a heart attackcanbe, I guess. I had planned on moving to Seattle right after the divorce was finalized, but thenthathappened, so I stuck around for a few more months until Dad practically pushed me out the front door. Told me I was hovering and driving him nuts.” She picked at her cuticles. “I wouldn’t have dreamed of leaving town had his bloodwork been anything less than stellar.”
Even then, a tiny voice in the back of her mind that sounded suspiciously like Brad still whispered that she was selfish for leaving, for putting herself first, even though Dad was fine.
“I’m glad he’s okay,” Margot said.
“Me too.” They shared a smile before Olivia dropped her eyes, scanning the list again. “Communal spaces. How do you want to handle the vacuuming and that sort of thing?”
