Page 65 of Yours Temporarily

Olivia winces.

So Damien pivots to her. “You knew about this?”

She doesn’t answer.

When he asks Lexi, she raises both hands. “Don’t include me in sibling issues. I like you both, and I still need a place to stay… so.”

“Yes, I told them not to tell you.” The words are slow and painful as I drag them out of my mouth. “You didn’t like Jeremy in the first place. I didn’t think you’d be on board with it.”

“You think I’m all for being lied to?” Damien’s chest rises, then falls. The depth of disappointment as he looks at Olivia slices through my heart. He must be hurt that his best friend kept this from him.

“It’s me you should blame,” I say, but it doesn’t make things any better.

He pushes back from the island, seeming not hungry anymore, leaving his cereal untouched as his sullen gaze sweeps over us. “You all decided to keep me in the dark?”

His pained voice makes me ache. I’m so disappointed in myself. Ugh, I’m such a terrible person. How does God put up with people like me?

“Jeremy told me to tell you, but…” I shake my head, needing to make sure he doesn’t go attacking Jeremy over this.

“I can’t believe this.” He fists his hands into tight balls and walks to the dining table to grab his computer bag. “You could’ve told me you needed funds for your business.”

He’s forgetting he has looming college funds to pay for. Now isn’t the time to remind him of that.

“You can’t keep taking care of me. I didn’t want you to know about my needs.”

He shakes his head, then goes to the hall, and heads upstairs.

We stare at each other. Olivia’s shoulders drop, and her gaze lowers to the cereal. “I should’ve told him.”

“I know.” I dragged everyone into my lies.

“He tells me everything, and I kept this big thing from him.” Olivia plants a hand on her cheek.

Great. I’ve caused strife in their friendship.

We’re sitting in silence, Lexi munching her cereal and Olivia staring at her bowl when Damien returns. Gone are his work clothes, exchanged for jeans and a black hoodie. He snatches the car keys from the counter.

“You’re leaving?” Olivia hops up, wringing her hands.

“I’ll be back at ten.” He doesn’t bother to look at us.

I know better than to attempt to talk to him when he’s upset, so does Olivia. I’ll reason with him after he cools down tonight.

The back door slams. Olivia pulls flour from the pantry, then swings open more cabinets. “Chocolate chip cookies are perfect for dinner.”

Lexi lifts another spoonful to her mouth, then wags the empty spoon at our friend. “I get it—you and your bestie had a falling out. But cookies for dinner are not going to cut it.”

Regardless, we end up settling for Olivia’s cookies and cereal for dinner.

With Damien still mad at us the next day, he drives his car, leaving Olivia and Lexi to drive separately. Olivia is barely talking to me either. Until things work out with her and Damien, our friendship will be on edge.

I hold it together as I meet with my employees. Instead of the three I’d thought, Jeremy insisted I start with five and let one go later should I realize I don’t need that much help. I’ve made that clear to the fifth hire. We go through our objectives and strategies for next week.

After the meeting, I linger in hopes Jeremy will show up. Of course, he doesn’t.

The end of the day isn’t much different at home, except it’s worse when the girls return and we talk about dinner plans.

“Damien went on a date with Jessie.” Olivia drags out the words, her hands resting on her chin. “Good for him.”

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