Page 58 of Wicked Oath
She stands up and grabs her purse. “You don’t need to be bitch just because you’re having problems with James. Don’t take your anger out on me. And if I want to crush on Owen, I’m going to do it forever if I want to. I hope you figure things out with James because I don’t like how you’re acting.”
“Lucy …”
She storms out of the restaurant, and a few people glance in her direction as she leaves. When Lucy makes a scene, shemakesa scene.
I slump back in my chair. Great. Now I’m fighting with my best friend. And the truth of the matter is she’s right. I’m taking my frustrations with James out on her, which isn’t fair.
I still think she’d be better off if she stopped crushing on Owen since my brother has never spared her a glance. But that’s something to deal with another day.
Right now, I need to talk to James, and I’m not going to stop until I get answers.
* * *
Of course,James isn’t home when I return to the house. So, I just sit at the kitchen table and stew until he does.
When he finds me at the table looking pissed, he pauses. “Olivia?”
“What’s going on, James?”
He deflates a little. “I thought we already went over this. I need you to trust me.”
“But that’s the problem. I’m not sure I trust you.”
“But you just said this morning you do.”
“Well, I lied, ok?” I cross my arms. “I’ve had my doubts for a while now.”
James crosses the room slowly until he sits in the chair across from me. “Why haven’t you said anything?”
“Because I want to trust you!”
“Then why don’t you?”
“Because I love you, and I don’t want to get hurt!” The minute the words pass my lips, I wish I could take them back. James’ eyes widen. I knew I was falling in love with him, but the minute I say the words, I know I truly love him, and that’s why I’m so scared. If he really is a traitor, he’ll just break my heart.
“You love me?” he finally asks.
I slump back in my seat, all the energy leaving me. “I do. I’ve known it for a while now.”
“So, why are you struggling to trust me, then? What have I done that has made you not trust me? I’ve been kind to you. I mean, I literally saved your life, Olivia. What more do you want from me?”
“The truth! I want to know what has you so stressed out at work that you’re pulling away from me.”
“Nothing you need to be concerned about.”
“Why not?”
“Because it doesn’t have to do with you or our marriage.”
I lean forward. “Then who does it concern?”
He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. He drops his hand, and it lands on the table with a thud. He finally responds, saying, “Your father. It concerns your father.”
This pulls me up short. “What about my dad? Is he causing you trouble? I can speak to him if you need me to.”
“It’s not that. It’s just something that has been in the works for a while now. I’ll deal with the issue, and when I do, I promise things will go back to normal.”
James’ vague answer leaves me feeling even more frustrated. “I just don’t understand.”
