Page 63 of Love Off-Limits
I glanced Olivia’s way, watching as she pulled out her phone and presumably read my response. She looked down at me and smiled, giving her head a little shake.
When her response came back through, I nearly choked on my water, coughing long enough that the guy sitting next to me pounded on my back, concern etched on his brow.
Olivia: No hints. No second guesses. Once we get three answers right between us, I’ll let you take me out on a real date.
When I finally regained my composure, I glanced down at Olivia only to see her hand pressed to her mouth, her eyes dancing with mirth.
Sorry about that,she texted.You okay?
I’ll recover,I texted back.And I’m absolutely game. What about the rules?
Olivia: *shrugs* Technically, the rules don’t really apply to me because I’m not summer staff.She followed her text with a winking emoji.
Olivia: Want to guess first?
Tyler: Had I known using this soap would make such a difference, I’d have raided your mom’s pantry on day one.
Olivia: HAHA very funny. I haven’t been close enough to actually notice, though now that I know you’re using it, I might have to make more of an effort.
Tyler: I’ll guess. I’ll even go first.
Tyler: But what changed?
Olivia: What can I say? You are very cute on a tractor.
As I considered my next reply, a shadow fell over me, and I turned to find Kelly standing beside my chair, her arms folded across her chest and a look on her face that said she knew exactly who I was texting. She looked at me pointedly. “You’re going to have to be discreet.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I obviously don’t want to stop you. I want Olivia to be happy. But it’ll look bad and probably make my job harder if it’s obvious something is going on between you two.”
“Understood.”
She turned to leave, but then spun back around. “And you aren’t going to be careless with her.” Of all the things she’d said, that was obviously the most important to her.
“Absolutely not.”
She pursed her lips and considered me, her expression inscrutable. “Okay,” she finally said. She glanced over her shoulder at Olivia, who was watching our exchange with unveiled interest.
“You, uh, don’t happen to know what kinds of books are her favorites, do you?”
Kelly lifted her brow, her judgment clear. “Already trying to cheat?”
I smirked. “You can’t blame me for hoping to expedite the process.”
“I don’t blame you.” She smiled sweetly. “I’m also not going to help you.” She took a few steps away before turning back. “You’re on goats first thing in the morning. Once the milking is done, I want you in the strawberry fields for the final harvest before we cut the bushes back.”
“You got it, boss.”
By the time I turned back to my phone, there was another message from Olivia waiting for me.
Olivia: Better not mess with Kelly. She’s the real deal.
There was something weirdly thrilling about texting her, flirting with her right here in the dining room with other people around.Nothing I can’t handle,I texted back.I tried to ask her for a clue, but she completely refused.
Olivia: You’re on your own, farmhand. Give it your best shot.
This felt like the Olivia from the wedding reception. Confident, bold, fun. And utterly intoxicating.
