Page 22 of Dark Torment

OLIVIA

It’s only beena few days since that awful date happened, but I find myself looking for Jonathan all the time.

He said he would be back to adopt a dog, and I really hope he shows. I want to thank him for saving me from Jeff.

I only went on that date because I was hoping I could prove my brother wrong, but now I just feel is foolish.

“God, why is business so slow today?” Shelby whines beside me, and I give her a half-hearted laugh.

“Maybe we’ve just taken care of all the dogs in the area, and we’re getting a break?” I reply with as much sass as I can muster.

“Are you still sore over the fact that lawyer boy hasn’t come back to adopt a dog?” She looks at me pointedly, and I sigh.

“A little. Not for me though, but for the dog that he would have chosen and given a home!” I try to pretend I don’t want to see him as badly as I do, but she sees right through me. Sometimes it sucks having someone know you this well.

“Sure, babe. You keep telling yourself that.” She giggles and shakes her head at me.

“Whatever. Can you go and do our order for next week while I start wiping everything down up here?” I ask, and she smiles before walking off to the back.

I know she loves working in the back because she gets to play on her phone a lot more and listen to music.

I usually don’t mind it either because I love getting lost in the music to relax, but lately I just can’t. It’s hard to concentrate when I feel eyes on me at all times, but never see anyone around.

I’m probably being paranoid about it, but like Grams used to say, ‘One can never be too careful’.

I’m seriously contemplating closing an hour early today because Shelby is right. It’s been oddly quiet today, and there’s no point in us both staying when there’s nothing to do.

As I turn around to give my bestie the good news, the door opens and Jonathan walks in.

I thought he looked attractive in a suit the first time I saw him, but the tight torn jeans he’s wearing with heavy work boots are to freaking die for. Pairing it with a black button up dress shirt tucked into his jeans, it’s dang lethal.

“Johnathan.” My voice comes out as a breathy whisper, and I want to smack myself in the head.

Way to sound like a desperate woman, Liv.

His smile is absolutely breathtaking as he walks up to me, his eyes travelling my body.

I’m wearing a black dress covered in sunflowers. It’s not something I’d normally wear, but when I saw it at the store, I just knew I needed to own it.

It has this fifties poodle skirt vibe, and I instantly fell in love.

“Hey, beautiful,” he greets me, and I swear I swoon. Holy heck, my heart.

“Hi,” I squeak, and feel the blush on my cheeks.

“Still cute as ever.” He winks at me, and I let out a girly chuckle.

I never thought I would be one of those giggly girls, but give me the hottest man I’ve ever seen and yep, I’m right there with them.

“Th—thank you,” I say, walking toward him. “You don’t have to be this nice, you know,” I stammer, and he watches me.

“But I want to be nice to you.” He smiles at me, his face looking a little confused. “Actually, I’d wager a guess you’re the only person on this planet I care to be nice to,” he says, and that confuses me.

“But… why?” I ask him, tilting my head.

Something dark crosses his eyes before it quickly vanishes, and he shrugs.

“I’m not a good man,” he states, like it’s quite obvious.

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