Page 159 of Finding Olivia (Trace + Olivia 1)

I sat down at an empty table beside the windows and basked in the quiet atmosphere as I gazed out at the dark ocean. The sun wouldn’t rise for another forty minutes or so.

The seat across from me scraped across the tile floor and I looked away from the window to meet Trace’s green-eyed gaze.

“So, you’re feeling better?” He asked, looking me over carefully.

“Much better,” I smiled. I wasn’t surprised that he was awake, and down here, he was such a light sleeper.

“Good,” he seemed relieved. “I was worried you were getting really sick and it would be all my fault.” He drummed his fingers against the tabletop.

“If I got sick, it wouldn’t be your fault,” I shook my head at him and his silliness. “Go get something to eat,” I nodded to the spread of food set out on the bar.

Reluctantly, he pushed back from the table, and made himself a waffle.

By the time he sat down across from me, again, I had finished my breakfast.

He kept glancing at me skeptically, waiting for a cough or a sneeze.

“I’m fine, I promise,” I smiled at him. “I’m going to go get some coffee,” I explained, getting up.

Trace kept looking at me like he expected me to fall over dead or something.

I poured the coffee into one of the Styrofoam cups provided, and then added a heaping amount of sugar, and creamer. I honestly didn’t know why I drank the stuff since I had to doctor it up so much.

I returned to the table and Trace was almost finished with his waffle.

“Are you sure you’re-”

I held up a hand to stop him. “Yes, I’m sure. You have nothing to worry about except for my nerves that you’re wearing out.”

“Sorry,” he grinned sheepishly, adding more syrup to his last bite of waffle.

“I understand that you’re concerned, but you don’t need to be so overprotective,” I said, taking a hesitant sip of coffee so I didn’t burn my tongue.

His eyes narrowed. “When it comes to you, I’ll be as overprotective as I want.”

I shook my head, smiling. “I’m not a kid, Trace.”

“I know,” he chuckled with a small smile. “But I-” He stopped, swallowing thickly. “Never mind,” he wet his lips. “I’ll stop nagging you.”

We ventured back up to the room, and I took my coffee with us, sitting down on the couch. As much as I wanted to go out on the beach, I was afraid to tempt fate, so for the time being, I looked out the window at the ocean.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Trace asked and the worry was clear on his face. I thought it was sweet that he was so concerned, but I didn’t like that he was worrying unnecessarily. Plus, it was getting really annoying.

“I’m sure,” I answered, taking a sip of coffee. I didn’t bother to say anything about his promise to stop nagging me. “I don’t plan on going down to the beach today, but I don’t feel sick. Please, don’t worry about me,” I begged.

He ran his fingers through his dark hair, rumpling it further. “I’m not normally a worrier,” he admitted, “but something about you…” He paused, glancing at me. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, on my watch.” His voice was soft and his eyes were serious.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Trace,” I took his hand and pulled him down beside me on the couch. “I’m going to get sick and I’m going to get hurt. It’s a part of life. You can’t freak out because I have the sniffles.”

“You’re right,” he groaned, dropping his face into his hands. “You’ll be the end of me,” he chuckled humorlessly.

I grinned mischievously, trying to distract him. “If we’re not going out, there are plenty of things we can do inside.”

He turned to me, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “And what would that be?”

I smiled slyly, and climbed onto his lap. “How about I show you?”

???

---