Page 71 of Olivia's Only Pretending
We all started to laugh.
“You’ve always been our world, Mama,” I said softly, trying to hold back the tears. “You’ve given us so much, like you said—your food, your time, your paycheck, youreverything. If we can save you any bit of hurt, make your life any bit easier now, we’ll do it. Even if it’s something dumb like snooping on your dates.”
“The dating world is ridiculous out there. I didn’t want any jerks creeping around my mom.” Lucy shrugged. “I know I get carried away. But it came from a place of love.”
“I thought it was fun to wear all black and pretend I’m a spy. Okay?” Gracie admitted, making us chuckle.
Lucy gave her a shove.
“Listen, I know my daughters. I’m sure it came from the best place. But if I could step back and let you three make some very questionable relationship choices, you can step back and trust your mom can handle a few dates.”
“Um, questionable choices? Those two, maybe. I’m with Adam,” Lucy said, glancing at her watch.
“Lucy, I had to let go while you pretended this man who was just perfect for you was some cartoonish villain and let you figure it out,” Mom said.
Lucy smiled. Even just the brief mention of Adam had her grinning from ear to ear.
“On one hand, it’s hard to keep tight-lipped about the walking red flags you girls might date, but it’s equally hard to keep a tight lip when I watch my girls pushing away chances at something real and true. Pushing away their own potential for happiness,” Mom said, her eyes catching with mine. “You know what, though? I trust you three. I trust God. I know the women you’re becoming, or have become, so I can let go and know you will figure it out. You’ll end up in the pages of whatever beautiful story God’s writing for you. Even if you keep throwing in ridiculous plot twists.”
A nurse popped her head into the room. “Do you ladies need anything else?”
“We were just heading out, thanks,” Lucy said, chuckling.
We Rhodes women had a habit of staying places way too late and then apologetically scurrying out.
We were laughing, hurrying down the fifth-floor hallway toward the elevator.
“I thought we would probably get caught by Mom, because, well, she’s Mom and we always get caught, but I didn’t expect to wind up in the ER,” I said, lacing my arm through Lucy’s.
“Yeah, getting hit by a golf ball surprised me a little, too,” Lucy said dryly.
“Oh, think how I felt! I was on a date with this handsome man when I heard all this commotion and glanced over to see what was going on to find Lucy lying on the ground behind the bushes!” Mom said as we arrived in front of the elevator doors.
“I’m sorry we ruined your date with the handsome man.” Gracie turned to Mom, shoes squeaking on the shiny linoleum floor.
“Oh, he thought it was funny. He said he was surprised it wasn’t his daughters snooping. He’s already texted me about grabbing dinner another night.” Mom smirked.
The elevator doors opened, and there stood curly-haired Adam in his white button-down, and behind him was Victor with his dark eyes immediately on me.
“Lucy!” Adam said, racing straight from the elevator to scoop Lucy up in his arms. “Are you okay? Let me see it.” He grasped her face in his hands and studied her bruise.
“I’m fine. No concussion, only a gnarly bruise,” Lucy reassured him. Our family’s little bodyguard was now in the arms of her own personal defender.
He kissed the wound, then left a trail of kisses down her cheek until they met her mouth. I looked away to find Victor walking toward me.
“We literally ran out of a meeting to get here. He threw me his phone and had me reading him every update you sent, so thank you for those. They probably saved us from running a few reds,” Victor said. “She really okay?”
“She’s going to be just fine,” I said.
Our group crowded into the elevator.
Adam’s eyes scanned us. “Why are you three in all black? Do I even want to know?”
“The Rhodes girls were up to something again.” Victor shook his head. “I’m betting it ties into winding up in the hospital.”
“Basically, I make a terrible spy.” Lucy pointed to her bruise.
“Spy?” Adam’s brows furrowed. “How does that include minigolf?”
