Page 77 of Until Bax

Olivia

Ipull into the parking lot of the restaurant where I’m meeting my mom and find a spot to park, turning off my car once I straighten out the wheel. Letting out a tired breath, I flip down my visor and frown at my reflection. The past forty-eight hours have caught up with me, and I look as exhausted as I feel.

Yesterday, it took me hours to clean up my bedroom and Kourtney’s office while she was outside with two companies giving her quotes for a security system. And after cleaning, it took me even longer to get through all the laundry I had to do because I had to inspect every item.

Despite wanting to just burn everything, that isn’t an option. Replacing my bras and underwear alone will cost me a few hundred dollars, so there's no way I can afford to replace my entire wardrobe.

Then today, I had back-to-back clients all day without a break since Julie decided to move all of my appointments from yesterday to today, on top of the clients I already had scheduled. And although normally that wouldn’t be a big deal, it was too much after yesterday.

All I really wanted to do this evening when I left the spa was go to Bax’s, change into my pj’s, and lie on the couch with him. But I knew I couldn’t cancel on my mom. She’s already worried about me for numerous reasons; I don’t need to give her another one.

After adding some lip gloss to my lips, I get out of my car, taking my bag with me, and walk toward the restaurant. The moment I pull open the door and step inside, I regret my decision to not go home and change out of my scrubs from work.

The restaurant is obviously upscale and not what I was expecting at all. I’m greeted with oak tables, dark walls, dim lighting mostly hanging over the paintings on the walls around the room, and white tablecloths, with the tables already set and napkins folded into a design on top of each plate.

“Hi.” The young woman behind the podium smiles at me. “Do you have a reservation?”

“I’m actually meeting someone who’s already here.”

“Would you like me to help you find them?”

“I think I can manage.” I move past her as I scan the interior of the restaurant, searching for my mom, who sent me a text about ten minutes ago letting me know she already had a table for us. It takes me just a couple of seconds to spot her, and when I do, anger curls in the pit of my stomach.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whisper.

“Pardon?” the hostess asks, and I glance over at her.

“Sorry.” I force a smile. “I was just talking to myself.”

“Oh.” She laughs. “I do that sometimes, too. Enjoy dinner.”

“Thanks,” I tell her before I begin to move through the dimly lit interior of the room toward my mom and her guest.

As I get closer, Lincoln looks up from his menu, and the moment his eyes meet mine, he gives me an apologetic smile as he stands. Mom turns to look over her shoulder after noticing Lincoln standing, and she smiles happily, getting out of her chair when she sees me.

“Hi, honey.” She touches her lips to my cheek.

“Mom.” My hands ball into fists so I don’t shake her.

“Did you just get off work?” She frowns as her eyes wander over my face and over my scrubs.

“Yeah,” I grit out, and then add, “You didn’t tell me that other people would be joining us.”

“Are you sure? I swear I mentioned it.” Her smile doesn’t even falter as she lies. Taking my hand, she turns us toward the table. “You remember Annmarie, Lincoln’s mom, right?”

“I do. Hi, Mrs. Brooks. Nice to see you.”

“Please, call me Ann.” She wraps her hand around Lincoln’s arm. “And, of course, you remember my son.”

“Of course.” I look at Lincoln, and he grimaces. Yeah, he didn’t know what this was, either.

“Sit,” Mom orders, seeming flustered now.

Taking my seat, I pull out my cell phone before I set my bag on the floor next to my chair. “Sorry.” I look at Lincoln and his mom before focusing on my mother. “I just need to call Bax really quick, so he knows that I made it.”

“Olivia—”

Ignoring her, I press call on Bax’s number and put my phone to my ear while dropping my eyes to the top of the table.

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