Page 9 of Love Under Construction

“I’m not discussing this with you over the phone. Olivia Frances Hawthorne, get your ass on a plane and come home now. I’ve already booked a flight for you. You’ll be here by 10 am tomorrow. I’ll have our driver pick you up from the airport.”

My mom can be so damn dramatic sometimes, and I wonder what’s going on even though I’m scared out of my mind right now. “I’m sure he’s going to be just fine, Momma. What are the doctor’s saying?”

Before I can protest further, my mom hangs up. Calling her back is useless; she sends me straight to voicemail. Add one more thing to my growing list of things to do tonight. I guess I’ll be spending my night with Chinese food and packing a suitcase after I find Jameson and deal with his incompetent employee.

I’m not in the mood for any bullshit when I stop by my favorite Chinese carry out a block from home. I place my order and thank Mrs. Chow for the best beef and broccoli in town before turning away from the counter to take a seat and wait for my food. When I do spin around, I come face to face with Jameson.

“What’s a guy gotta do to buy you dinner?”

“I think you might owe me dinner considering I stopped by the construction site only to find that Elijah and your incompetent team have decided to narrow the doorways. And the asshole refused to change it when I pointed out what the ADA standard was.”

Jameson holds his hands up in surrender. “Whoa, settle down. My team is far from incompetent, and I can assure you thatIdidn’t authorize that change. Monday morning, I’ll have it fixed right away and whoever did decide to go against the plan will be dealt with.”

“Good. Now, if’ you’ll excuse me, I’m waiting on dinner and not in the mood for your bullshit.”

“Hmm, that wasn’t what I heard last night. There sure was a lot of buzzing and moaning going on next door while I was trying to sleep,” He whispers in my ear.

The nerve! “Jameson. You have got to get over yourself sweetheart. I’m sure the buzzing you heard was nothing more than a reminder of the jackhammers buzzing in the concrete.”

“I’ve got a jackhammer for you, babe.” He smirks.

“Jameson. You leave Miss Livi alone!” Mrs. Chow scolds as she steps around the counter to hand me my takeout bag.

It’s my turn to snicker. “Yeah, take Mrs. Chow’s advice,” I smile innocently and reach for my wallet to pay for my food.

“I’ve got it,” Jameson offers.

“No. Absolutely not,” I protest.

“He pay. I give you extra on his tab.” Mrs. Chow smiles knowingly and hands Jameson his bag.

“That’s okay, Mrs. Chow, I can pay for my food,” I try again.

“He already take care of it. I tell you. Now you two go play nice.”

“You heard the lady, let’s go play nice,” Jameson tries to hook his arm with mine, but I pull away.

“I wasn’t kidding when I said, I don’t want to deal with you right now,” I tell him as we walk out of the Chinese restaurant.

“Come on, Liv. We’ve been getting along pretty good, lately. What’s wrong with two...friends, sharing a meal?”

“Us?” I point a finger back and forth between us. “We, are not friends Jameson..”

“I beg to differ. Regardless, it’s a nice night. We both need to eat. Why not have some company while we do?”

I don’t get why he’s been so damn persistent about this. I could and would rather be alone, inside my apartment with Peaches, without having to deal with him. I liked him better when he stayed the hell out of my way.

“Call Sara; I’m sure she’ll join you.” I snap at him as we step onto the elevator in our building. After all, I am pretty sure she’s been occupying his time quite well, considering I can still hear his bedroom theatrics happening several times a week.

“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Liv.”

I ignore him as I step off the elevator on our floor and head straight for my apartment. He can leave me the hell alone. Before I can shut my door behind me, Jameson sticks his foot in the way, stopping me and making me groan in frustration.

“Liv. Wait. I know about your dad. I’m trying to be a good person right now.” His voice comes out serious, and gentle.

I freeze and look at him again. “What did you just say?”

He brushes past me and effectively lets himself into my apartment. The door closes behind him as he repeats himself. “I know about your dad. I know he’s in the hospital and that you’ll be on a plane back to Georgia tomorrow morning.”

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