Page 33 of SEAL's Patience
Finally.
Why did it seem like the two minutes it took were more like three years while she waited for her first cup? Before she could answer, her cell vibrated and then played Oasis’Wonderwall, Livie’s ring tone, from where it sat on the kitchen island.
“Good morning, Livie.”
“Morning? It’s more like lunch time,” Livie said.
Patience could hear Theo’s voice in the background, but not what he was saying. “Yeah, I guess it is. I had a long night.”
“Oh yeah? Spill the tea. Unless you don’t have time.”
She looked at the clock on the microwave. Since she didn’t have to visit Felicity before work, she had some time. “I should make you wait until you’re back.”
“Ugh, please don’t. I probably won’t see you until tomorrow. Theo was checking the road conditions, and he said it’s still not safe enough with me in the car.”
Patience could practically see Livie rolling her eyes. “That’s what you get when you date a protector.”
Livie groaned and giggled. “Yeah, just wait until it’s your turn. Payback’s a beyotch.”
Right. Except that wouldn’t be happening. Not with Quinn’s no dating rule, besides she didn’t have time for dating, anyway. She’d be leaving for Africa in a few months to join her parents before starting her residency. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t hold your breath. I won’t be dating anyone for quite a while.”
“Aww. Your long night wasn’t with Quinn?”
Patience should have figured that would be Livie’s assumption. Grabbing her coffee mug, she took a sip and headed for the living room. Might as well get comfy for this chat.
“It was, but not entirely like you think.”
“Umm, what the heck does that mean? Entirely? C’mon, Patty, spill it.”
Livie was the only one she let call her that, and only when they were alone. If Theo picked up on it, Patience would kill her.
“Okay, the short version for now. I’ll fill you in on the details when you get home, but not the juicy bits.”
“Wait, juicy bits?”
“Uh, huh.”
“Okay, enough. Stop stalling, or I’ll share your nickname with Theo.”
“You’d better not,” Patience grumbled.
“Don’t worry. You’re safe…for now.” Livie giggled.
“Whatever.” Patience rolled her eyes at the phone, not that her bestie could see her. It was amazing how much Olivia had changed over the last few weeks with Theo, and all for the better. “After my shift last night, Carlene wouldn’t start.”
“Oh no. Had it started snowing yet?”
“Yeah, and are you going to let me finish or keep interrupting?”
“Wow, a little testy today? Fine, I’ve got my lips zipped. Go on.”
Patience smiled. She was more on edge than she should be. Maybe because she’d be seeing Quinn. Ugh, if he thought she was going to let him keep pushing her away, he had another think coming.
“Only about an inch. I was so mad. You know she just went in for her oil change and everything. They said she was in good shape. Anyway, Quinn saw me and came over to help.” Patienceexpected Livie to interrupt, but other than her indrawn breath, she managed to not ask anything.
“He tried to jump it, but it still wouldn’t start. I was going to call an Uber, but he practically took my head off about getting into a car with a stranger and insisted on driving me home.” For someone who said he didn’t care about her, he sure had a lot of say about her safety.
“The snow had picked up by then, and on our way home we saw a car slide off the road. Quinn made me stay in the car while he checked on her. Turns out the driver was in labor. He’d called it in, but there was no telling how long it would take them to arrive. So long story short, I delivered my first baby in a blizzard by the side of the road. Talk about winning the BINGO card this month.”
