Page 59 of Count Your Lucky Stars

“The wedding’s been keeping me pretty busy, actually,” she said. That and Margot, but Dad absolutely didnotrequire details there. “The singer in the band we hired for the reception was rushed to the hospital yesterday with a ruptured appendix.He’s fine, but we’re obviously out a band, so I had to make a few calls to find a suitable DJ—”

“Livvy,” Dad interjected. “It’s fine. I just thought I’d check in with you for once. Make sure Margot’s not getting you into too much trouble.”

Margot snickered. “Only the best kind of trouble, sir.”

Dad barked out a laugh, and if Olivia weren’t driving she’d have slumped down in her seat, mortified. She reached for the air vent, aiming it directly at her face.

“Good, good. That’s what I like to hear,” Dad said. “Livvy could use a little fun in her life.”

“Oh, geez,” she muttered under her breath, still loud enough for Dad to hear through the speakers, apparently, because he only laughed harder.

And Margot, traitor that she was, joined in, laughing brightly and chiming in with, “I couldn’t agree more.”

Margot slipped her hand off the center console and squeezed Olivia’s thigh. She kept her hand there, casual as could be, like it was perfectly normal to rest her hand atop Olivia’s leg while Olivia drove. Olivia still questioned her reality, that this was her life now, that Margot was in it and touching her. Maybe it was different for Margot, but Olivia had yet to build up a tolerance to Margot’s touch. She wasn’t certain she wanted to.

Olivia cleared her throat. “You had your appointment, right? With your cardiologist? How’d that go?”

“Everything’s fine. My cholesterol, my blood pressure, all of it.”

Fine.Her nose scrunched. “What doesfinemean? And what about your triglycerides, those were still—”

Dad cut her off with a laugh. “Livvy, relax. The doctor says I’m healthy as a horse.”

She pursed her lips. “Are we talking Seabiscuit, or the Red Pony?”

Margot clapped her free hand over her mouth, muffling her laughter.

“Jesus, kid.” Dad huffed. “You are something. I’mfine. I would tell you if I weren’t.”

Olivia loosened her death grip on the steering wheel, working to swallow past the knot constricting her throat. “Promise?”

Margot’s grip tightened, squeezing her thigh.

“Promise,” Dad said, sounding sincere enough that Olivia was able to breathe again. “Look, I called to see how you were doing and also to let you know that a few of the guys from work and I are heading up to Nolan Creek in Forks to go fly-fishing. We’re driving up on Friday, won’t be back until Wednesday. I don’t know how my reception’s going to be, and I won’t have my phone on me when I’m out on the water. Just wanted to let you know so you don’t worry.”

“Be safe,” she said. “And have fun.”

Dad chuckled. “Thanks. Good luck with the wedding. I’m sure it’ll be fantastic.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Good talking to you, Margot. Make sure Livvy doesn’t work too hard.”

Margot grinned. “Will do, Mr. Grant. Have fun fishing!”

“Bye, Dad. I love you.”

“Love you, too, kid. Talk soon.”

Olivia ended the call with a press of her thumb against the wheel.

“It sounds like he’s doing good,” Margot said.

Olivia blew out her breath and nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

Margot’s thumb swept against the side seam of Olivia’s jeans, warmth from her palm seeping through the denim. “I don’t know, maybe it’s just me or maybe it’s the way you’re driving fifteen over the speed limit, but I’m getting a vibe that you’re not totally at ease.”

“Shit.” Olivia eased off the gas. “Sorry.”