Page 15 of Love in Fine Print

I’d only taken two steps when Olivia turned. “You don’t need to come.”

I wanted to argue, but I knew it wasn’t my place.

“I’ll be here waiting.”

“Thanks, but you don’t need to stay. I’m fine, really.”

With that, she turned and continued following Charli down the hall.

I watched as they disappeared down another hallway and decided to go and get a drink from the break room. Since I’d been one of the investors when Charli had wanted to start this clinic, I had special privileges which included free snacks.

After getting my drink, I went back to the exam room and saw that it was closed again. I started pacing the hallway. I felt like I was going to come out of my skin. I felt helpless. I didn’t do helpless well. I knew there was nothing that I could do, apart from pay for any and all medical expenses.

I couldn’t believe that Olivia was taking the entire situation in stride. To look at her, I would have thought that she would not be so easygoing and laid-back about her ankle being twisted and her wrist broken. I would have thought I would be sued and animal control would be on my doorstep.

It reminded me of something Gran always said.It’s okay to judge a book by its cover as long as you read what’s inside to find out if you were right or not.

Everything that I was reading in Olivia’s book was not what the cover would suggest. Her eyes were kind, and even, vulnerable. She didn’t want anyone to make a fuss over her, and despite being a ten out of ten, Victoria’s Secret model-level hot, she didn’t seem like she wanted any attention directed her way.

She was a total dichotomy.

I’m not sure how long I’d been pacing up and down the hallway when Charli stepped out with a knowing smile on her face. I tried to walk past her into the room, but I was stopped by a hand on my chest.

“What?” I asked.

“She’s on the phone.” Charli patted me before lowering her arm. “Believe me, you donotwant to be in there.”

Yes, I did. It was my fault that she was in there, and I didn’t want her to be alone. At least, that’s what I was telling myself. And it was partially true. The other half of that truth sandwich was that she was, hands down, the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life, and I just wanted to be near her.

But also, the broken wrist.

“How is she?” I asked.

“She’ll be fine. I mean, she’s definitely not happy about not having the use of her right arm or having to wear a cast but she’s handling it well. I don’t know if it’s your dimples, your boyish charm, or just your lucky day, but I think you might just be in the clear.”

I smiled. “The clear?”

Charli’s eyes narrowed. “You do know who she is, don’t you?”

“Olivia,” I answered.

Charli’s eyes lit up and a wide smile appeared on her face. She took a step closer to me and spoke in a whisper so quiet, I had to tilt my head down to hear her. “The woman who Dolly tackled isOlivia Bradshaw.”

Olivia Bradshaw. Why did that name sound familiar?

“The divorce attorney.”

I nodded. She’d told me that she was a divorce attorney in the truck, but it still wasn’t ringing any bells. I’d never been married, so I wasn’t sure why Charli would expect me to know who a divorce attorney was.

“TheManeater,” Charli emphasized in a whisper.

Oh shit. I had heard of her.

Several guys I knew in the NFL had used her. And even more notoriously, several had tried to retain her and were rejected by her.

“Yeah, so good luck.” Charli patted my chest once before heading down the hall.

From her reputation, the Maneater was a take-no-prisoners, ball-busting ice queen. She was ruthless. Heartless. And soulless.

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