Page 48 of 7 Days and 7 Nights

“Really. I know it’s hard, JoBeth, but you’re doing all the right things. You’ve taken control of your life, and you’re prepared to move on if you have to. But, you know, I heard your Dawg on the air with Matt last night, and I’m starting to wonder if you might not be able to teach him some new tricks.”

“I don’t know, Dr. Olivia. It doesn’t look like he’s going to roll over and play dead anytime soon. And I sure don’t intend to sit up and beg.”

Olivia smiled her first real smile of the day. Evidently, even old people could still see the humor in things. "Well, JoBeth, if we continue the obedience metaphor, we could say that the rolled-up newspaper made an impression. Now you have to decide whether to give him something to wag his tail about or get out the choke collar.”

“Oh.”

“You know, a kind of yummy-treat-versus-electronic-fence decision. You’ve got lots of options, JoBeth, you just need to take the time to sort through them.”

“Uh, okay, Dr. O, thanks. And happy birthday, you hear?”

“Thanks, JoBeth. Keep me posted. Who knows, maybe that Dawg can find his way back home.”

She segued into a commercial break with, “Don’t forget to call in your food pledges. This isLiv Live, reminding you to live your life...live."

Olivia shut off her microphone and stretched her arms over her head to work the kinks out. She stood and strolled over to the kitchen, then turned and walked back to stare out the balcony doors. Outside, a woman and young girl walked hand in hand toward the playground in the tiny park across the road. White dogwoods flowered along the sidewalk, and pale yellow roses twined through the arched park gate. Olivia longed to be out there with them, her own hair stirring in the gentle spring breeze.

She was thirty, and she was locked in a very small apartment with Matt Ransom. Somehow both truths loomed ominously over her, unavoidable and inescapable. Turning, she headed back to the audio console and took her seat just before the commercial break ended.

“This isLiv Live, the thirtieth-birthday edition. We’ve heard from JoBeth, who’s still trying to work things out with her Dawg, and I’m up for another challenge. Give me a call and tell me what’s on your mind. I’ll talk about anything as long as I don’t have to think about how old I am.”

Glancing down at the computer screen, Olivia read the words “dinner,” “birthday,” and “sorry.” With no time to get more information, Olivia took the call. Despite the written warnings, Matt’s voice took her by surprise.

“Happy birthday, Livvy."

Her gaze swung to his bedroom door, but it remained closed. Olivia sat back in her chair, folded her arms across her chest, and instructed herself to remain calm. “Hello, Matt. Howgoodof you to call.”

“My pleasure.”

“Okay.” She kept her voice even and professional, unwilling to let anyone know how completely he rattled her. “Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Why, you are, of course.”

Olivia blinked.

“Getting older can be tough, especially for a woman.”

“And you’re calling to... console me?”

“I’m calling because I have a birthday present for you, and I figure you’re more likely to accept it with your audience listening in.”

“And what kind of gift are we talking about?”

“A birthday dinner. In honor of your being so old and all.”

“What an attractive offer. Any chance we’d be dining out?”

“Nope.”

“Then I don’t think I’m interested.”

He chuckled with maddening good humor. “See, this is where calling you on the air really pays off."

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. Because I know you won’t want your listeners to think you’re afraid to have a birthday meal with me.”

“We’ve been alone for four days now and shared several meals together. Why should I be afraid today?”

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