Page 34 of Love for a Lifetime

Olivia’s smile cracked at Dawson’s theatrics. Loyalty was one of his top virtues, but he also didn’t hold grudges. That was her only saving grace. “Can you ever forgive me?” she asked.

Olivia’s phone rang before Dawson could answer, and she reached for it on the tray table. Any casual comfort she’d built up poured out of her in a rush as she saw Anna’s name on the screen.

“I need to answer this. She’ll worry if I don’t,” Olivia said.

Dawson sat back in the bed and crossed his arms over his chest, resting the milkshake straw in front of his lips for easy access.

Olivia answered with as much nonchalance as she could muster. “Hey.”

“Hey. What are you up to?” Anna asked.

Olivia played with a seam on the recliner as she spoke. “I’m sitting at the hospital in Cody. Dawson got attacked by a dog today.”

“What? Is he okay?”

“Yes, he’s fine. They wanted him to stay overnight to get some antibiotics. He should be discharged in the morning.”

“Whew,” Anna breathed. “That’s a relief. I’ll head on over there too.”

The bed squeaked as Dawson sat up. He shook his head and waved a hand, mouthing, “No.”

Olivia watched him for another few seconds. Could he hear the conversation? “Um, I think he’s fine. I’m planning to stay with him tonight. His mom wanted to stay, but we didn’t think she should try to sleep in this uncomfortable recliner all night.”

“I don’t mind! I’ll come relieve you. I can be there in forty-five minutes.”

Dawson cupped a hand beside his mouth. “We’re good. Thanks for the offer though.”

“Is that him?” Anna asked.

“Yeah, I’ll put you on speaker.” Olivia pressed the button and held up the phone between them.

Dawson launched into the conversation. “We’re good here, Anna. Thanks for offering to come check on me. These meds are making me drowsy. I’ll be asleep in about ten minutes.”

“Oh, okay then,” Anna said. “Call me if you need anything. I’d be happy to help.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Dawson said, already relaxing back in his bed.

“Call you tomorrow, Liv,” Anna said quietly before ending the call.

Olivia cradled the phone in her lap before looking up at Dawson.

He shifted onto his side and leveled her with an intense stare. “I forgive you. But I also want to know why you wanted me to be Anna’s date to the wedding but not yours.”

Olivia’s chest filled with lead. The organs working to keep her alive jerked to a stop. “What?”

“Why couldn’t I be your date?” he asked.

“It’s not your turn to ask a question,” she whispered.

“This isn’t part of the game.”

Okay, so he wasn’t going to let her get away this time. She put her phone to the side and pressed her fidgeting hands between her knees. “Because Anna needed a date.”

“Anna could get a date faster than I could eat a doughnut. Wrong answer.”

He was right. Men lined up for Anna’s attention. She had a magnetism that few people could ignore. “It would be weird if we went together,” she said quickly. “We’re friends.”

“Our friends are getting married. We’re both in the wedding. We’ll be hanging out together anyway. What’s so bad about being my date?”

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