My mind is whirring with a long checklist of things that need to be done. By the time I step inside the clinic, I’m already stressed. It only gets worse when I realize it won’t be Samuel, I’m talking to, but Travis.
What happened yesterday in the office before his dad walked in feels like it is worlds away. In that timespan, I had my house broken into, talked to the police, and slept at my neighbor’s house, a neighbor who I’m pretty sure still hates me; yet, I let him kiss me. Things in my life are starting to get crazy. Beyond unpredictable.
I wait until after lunch, before I knock on Travis’s office door to talk to him. His gruff response is the only indication I get for me to come in. He glances up briefly, pausing when he sees me. Something that looks akin to a smirk twists the corner of his mouth. I stifle the urge to roll my eyes. I’m sure he thinks I’m in here to discuss yesterday and probably welcome more of his advances, but he couldn’t be more wrong.
“Hey, Travis. I was wondering if we could talk.”
“Of course. Close the door, please.”
I pause, a strange sense of dread filling my stomach. Even though I don’t want to, I close the door and take the open chair opposite his. Settling my hands in my lap, I begin twiddling my thumbs nervously. I’m just about to open my mouth to say something when he beats me to it.
“I’m glad you stopped by, Olivia. I’ve been thinking about you. A lot.”
I shift uncomfortably. Good Lord. It’s only been a day since he’s last seen me. How could he possibly think about me that much?
“Oh. Wow,” I breathe, unsure of how to respond to this man, without triggering him.
“Look, I realize our situation isn’t ideal, but I meant what I said yesterday, Olivia. There’s something between us. I know you feel it, too.”
I slam my eyes shut. “Travis…that’s not why I’m here. I told you before. I’m not interested in pursuing anything with you. You’re my boss. I was in a long-term relationship for a while. All I want to focus on, right now, is my career and building my life here.”
Travis’s face shutters, and I know I’ve made a mistake by saying that. Even though it sounded sincere and nice in my head, it obviously didn’t come off that way to him because he’s damn near scowling at me from across the table.
“What’s the problem then, Olivia?”
I clear my throat, trying to summon the courage to keep speaking, even though doing so now, after that, feels anything but welcomed. He’s rifling through files on his desk, no longer interested. “Well, my house was broken into last night.” I expect his eyes to widen at my words or at least an ounce of sympathy to enter his eyes at the news, but I get nothing, just a cold, bored glare. He doesn’t even seem all that surprised. “I was wondering if there was any way I could get the afternoon off to head to the police station and check on the progress. They pulled fingerprints, and I guess…I’m a little bit scared to go back home. My front window was shattered. The person got away. I just want some peace of mind that something will be done. I can make up the time I’ll be gone, if I need to.”
Travis sighs, toying with the file for his next appointment, trying to make himself look busy. “Look, Olivia, we’re trying to run a business here. I can’t show anyone special treatment. I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to wait for your day off, just like everyone else.”
I jerk back, confused by his cold demeanor. Is he serious?
He can’t be.
That voice in the back of my head whispers affirmations.
You knew this would happen. You turned him down. Now look. He’s angry. Embarrassed. Ego deflated.
“Travis, please, this isn’t for something as simple as a dentist appointment. This is because my house was broken into. This is important.”
Travis rises from his seat, tossing his file down onto his desk with a loud slap. “That’s not my problem. Now, you should really get back to work. Your lunch is almost over.”
I deflate against the seat, not even flinching, when the door slams shut behind him.
“What a fucking asshole,” Kass grunts under her breath, as she helps me lift the wooden board out of the back seat of my car. After I got off