Page 60

Melissa flicked her hair over her shoulder and smiled. “We’re not bickering.” Then she leaned closer to him and said, “I think your receptionist has a crush on you. I can’t blame her, but I just don’t want her to get her hopes up.”

I shoved my chair back and got up. “That’s enough, okay. Listen to yourself! Making fun of me while I’m right here? I don’t know what I ever did to you to deserve this kind of treatment. And just so you know, Doctor Grant is all yours. Beware, though, one mistake, and you’ll be out of his life without so much as a flinch from him.”

I ran away and pushed through the crowd. My breath came in rapid pulses as I tried to stop my eyes from watering. I might’ve felt like I was ready to explode with emotion, but I wasn’t going to break down in public.

Right before I got to the exit, I bumped into my mother.

“Olive?” she asked. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, afraid the tears would come if I spoke.

“Is it Lewis? Are you guys still fighting?”

I nodded again.

She gently took a hold of my arm. “It’s good that I ran into you because you’re needed backstage.”

“What?”

Mom weaved through the crowd without letting go of me. She opened the door to the backstage, as she had called it, and led me inside. It was really just an area where supplies for the fundraiser were stocked, like extra servings of pie and pots of homemade jam. Then she opened another door that led to the stage.

“Wait here,” she said, leaving me alone at the back of the wooden stage. The red curtain was closed, blocking most of the sounds from inside.

I blew out a big breath and slumped down. I didn’t know why my mother had claimed she needed me here, but what I did know was that crying never felt so good.

All the hurt and doubt that was bundled up inside of me flew out in a steady stream of tears. I hated the fact that Lewis had told me we couldn’t date after all. I might’ve acted as if I was mad at him earlier, but the truth was that I was mad at myself for having feelings that would never be reciprocated.

Sure, he’d told me he wanted to date me, but then he changed his mind, going on and on about how confused he was. If you truly wanted to be with someone, there was no room for doubts. The fact that he needed time to think told me more than enough.

The door to the stage swung open again, and I shrieked. I got up and swiveled around, only to see Lewis standing in the doorway. My mother pushed him inside.

“Olive?” he asked.

“Mom? What’s going on?”

“You two are going to figure this out.”

“Colleen, what do you mean?” Lewis asked, a look of terror in his eyes.

She cocked her head sideways. “As if I need to explain. The entire town can see you two are perfect for each other. It’s time you put your silly differences aside.”

“Please don’t meddle, Mom,” I pleaded.

She shook her head. “If I don’t meddle, you both lose because the two of you are as stubborn as a dog with a fresh bone.” Mom turned to me. “Honey, you’ve got to face the fact that blabbing about Addy’s pregnancy was unprofessional. It’s only natural Lewis got upset about it. It shows he’s got integrity, and I can only applaud that.”

“But—” I started, but Mom shushed me.

“And you,” she said to Lewis with a shake of her head. “I know you’ve had a horrible experience with one of your colleagues back in England, but you’ve got to learn to trust again. Do you want to end up old and alone?”

“No,” he replied hesitantly.

“Good. Now you two don’t come out of here before you’ve patched things up.” Mom turned around and went out, locking the door behind her.

I ran to the door and turned the knob, but it wouldn’t budge. She had actually locked us in here. I pounded on the door, feeling like I was a princess being locked in a tower by some evil witch.

“Olive,” Lewis said in a soft voice.

I heard him walk toward me. He put his palm on my hand and led me away from the door. My heart was beating in my chest so loud that I was certain he could hear it.