Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
She starts shaking her head even before I finish.
"Hear me out first. I know you're worried about the clinic and believe it or not, that's my concern too. What if you also told your story? Give your point of view. Show that everything worked out perfectly and led to your happily ever after. That will surely soften the blow for the clinic."
Ivy narrows her eyes as she looks at me. "I can't believe I believed that you had never written before. That writing was too good for a newbie."
Shame comes over me and I look away, unable to meet her gaze. "I'm sorry but I couldn't tell the truth. I was undercover and that's what journalists do."
"That’s what journalists do, is it? Jace is in love with you," she says quietly. "How can you hurt him like this?"
“I love him too…”
Ivy gives a short snort of laughter at that.
"I never meant us to go this far. I thought it would be a short affair and when my time at the clinic came to an end, we'd go our separate ways."
"Do you know that he wants to propose to you?" Ivy asks.
She hasn't listened to a word I've said.
I nod. "I know. It's already too late. Jace will never believe that my feelings for him are genuine. I knew what I was getting myself into when I took on this assignment but one thing I never banked on was falling in love with Jace."
Ivy shakes her head. "So you want me to agree to your magazine publishing my story?"
"Yes. I want you to be in control of your own story so the readers can decide for themselves. If we publish Susan's story with nothing from you, then I'm sure you know how damaging that will be for the clinic.”
She nods and stares at her uneaten sandwich. She lifts her gaze back to me. “I’ll give you the go-ahead to publish my story.”
A smile breaks out on my face but before I could say anything, she continues speaking.
“You don’t get off that easily. I love Jace like a brother. I know he’ll be heartbroken but there’s nothing I can do about that. However, I can save him from humiliation. I’m giving you until Friday to come clean with him. If you don’t, I’ll do it myself.”
My blood turns to ice. How will I face Jace and tell him the truth about myself?
“Fair enough.”
Ivy pushes her chair back and leaves without another word.
Chapter 35: Jace
I’m trying not to panic that it’s Olivia’s last day of work at The Anderson Clinic. She’s been too busy with employees from the clinic trooping in to say goodbye. Right now, there’s a big lunch organized by the nurses in the fertility clinic in her honor at the café complete with a cake.
I was invited but I couldn’t bring myself to go. Olivia and I will have our own private dinner tonight to celebrate the beginning of our new life away from the clinic.
It's already lonely at the office even though Olivia hasn't officially left. I work steadily until I hear footsteps and I know that she's back. She knocks lightly on my door and I call for her to enter.
"Hi," Olivia says cheerfully. "I'm back and I brought you some cake." She comes and places a plate with a generous slice on my desk, then she comes around and plants a noisy kiss on my lips.
"More," I say, swiveling my chair around to face her.
She laughs and kisses me, her tongue withdrawing it as soon as it connects with mine.
"You're a tease, Olivia James," I say.
"We have to save something to look forward to tonight," she says and moves away. She sways her hips as she walks and my mind goes to the gutter. I can't wait to have her to myself this evening.
Time moves too fast and evening comes, time for Olivia to leave. She'd already told me she'd leave an hour earlier, at four. I find her standing by her desk looking around as if she can’t quite believe that she has to leave.
"I'm going to miss this place." She sounds teary and I hurry to her side.
"This place will miss you too." I pull her into my arms. "Remember what we said. We're not going to make this a big deal."
Olivia tightens her hold on me and then lets go. She gives me a brave smile and steps out of my arms. She picks up her handbag and a box of her belongings. "I'm ready." She kisses me again.
"I'll see you at dinnertime. My place." I walk her to the door. She stares at me for a long time, until I grow uncomfortable. Then she leaves and I return to my office.
I sit staring into space. It's going to take a lot of getting used to not having Olivia in my office all day. God, I'll miss her. Still, I'll see her this evening, so it's fine. and maybe after this, she'll be happy to be seen in public with me.