You'll Think of Me (7 page)

Olivia:
Got it.

Luke.

Olivia sighed at the thought of him again. She hoped taking a hot shower would alleviate some of the tension in her neck and wash away her worries. The sun had worn her out, and Olivia would love nothing more than to crawl between her sheets and go to sleep.

Nothing worth having came easy for Olivia. And her bridge to cross had a few planks missing. She’d either have to jump, praying she’d make it over in one piece, or find an unmarked and fresh path that would lead her to a better ending.

Hopefully.

O
livia had been staring at her computer screen for the last five minutes reading the same sentences over and over. She had just opened her email that contained letters from a few of the medical schools she applied to. A distressing and bittersweet feeling formed in the pit of her stomach.

Being accepted to this particular school in New York was a pretty big deal for Olivia. It was one of the best medical schools in New York City and she knew she’d be going against many applicants for a chair. It would be an incredible learning experience in a career she was passionate about. Olivia knew the training would come with long hours that would no doubt wear her down. That wasn’t a concern for her, though. Working hard was second skin to Olivia, and it was an opportunity she didn’t want to pass up.

A muffled buzzing broke Olivia from her thoughts. She looked over to her bed where her phone was vibrating.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Care Bear, what’cha’ doin’?”

Olivia smiled at Luke’s endearment for her. “Umm…” clearing her throat, she answered. “Nothing…just on my computer checking emails and such. What’s up?” She tried to hold her voice steady as she replied. She felt awful for withholding the truth from him.

“You busy? I want to come pick you up and take you somewhere. Just me and you.”

Before she could respond, Olivia heard the faint sound of a truck door slamming and an engine revving in the background. “You sound like you’re already in the truck.”

Luke laughed. “I am. I was hoping you’d say you weren’t doing anything. Wishful thinking—and praying—on my part.”

“I’m not really dressed and my hair is a mess. I was getting ready to read a book in bed, actually.”

“Oh yeah?” Luke’s voice grew deeper. “What are you wearing? Actually, scratch that. Change of plans. Stay just how you are. I’ll be there soon, and I’m coming through your window. Be prepared.”

Sitting up, Olivia laughed at Luke’s quick change of plans. “Be prepared for what exactly? And you can’t fit through my window. You’re too big!”

“Now why would I tell you and ruin all the fun, Livy? All you have to do is just lie there and read your
romance
book while I have my way with you. Don’t ask questions, just let me do.”

A belly laugh erupted from her when Luke put emphasis on the romance part. He loved to make fun of her romance novels throughout the years, even once saying that if she could read her definition of romance then he could watch his definition of romance whenever he wanted, as if that was even close to the same thing.

“Very funny, Luke. While it may be extremely tempting,”—it was totally tempting to her—“my parents are home, so it’s not going to happen. I’ll get dressed and head downstairs. Where are we going so I know what to wear?”

“Ahh, that’s right. You like to make too much noise and they’ll hear you.”

“Luke!”

Luke barked out a laugh. “It’s a surprise. Dress comfortably.”

“Alright, but I’m warning you, I’m not doing my hair or makeup or anything. I’m a hot mess.”

“Baby,” Luke said in a low, husky voice, “you don’t
need
makeup or any spray to fix your hair. You’re beautiful the way you are. In fact, I wish you didn’t wear any of that stuff to begin with. See you soon, Livy.”

Luke hung up and she sat there for a moment processing what he said. He was gentle and affectionate and he may be a smooth talker, but Olivia knew it was honest words coming from Luke. She’d known him too long for it to be otherwise. He was a genuine, good guy.

Getting up, Olivia went to her dresser and pulled out a pair of heather grey lounge pants. Pulling her hair out of its bun, she put on her pants and tied the waistband. Then she walked over to her closet and found her royal blue, three-quarter sleeve Henley and slipped it over a white tank top. Grabbing her black kicks, she slid them on her feet.

Once dressed, Olivia grabbed her phone and purse then went downstairs. She spotted her father who was getting ready to crack open a beer while in his usual chair.

“You goin’ out?” he asked.

“Yes, Luke is coming to get me.”

He nodded his head. “Alright, be careful. You have your keys?”

Holding up her keys in her right hand, she jangled them. “I do.” Olivia looked toward the windows when she heard Luke’s truck roar up the dirt driveway. She leaned down and kissed the only father she’d ever known on the cheek. “I’ll see you later, Dad.”

“Bye, sweet pea. Have fun.” Olivia smiled sadly into his gray eyes.

Olivia opened the front door and noticed Luke was already out of his truck. Pulling Olivia into a hug, he kissed her cheek then reached behind her to open the door to the passenger side of his truck. As Luke helped her in, his earthy scent filled her nose and she had to fight back a hum that had started to work its way up from her throat. He wasn’t wearing anything special, yet it was effortless for him to smell so delectable.

Sitting back with an arm draped across the steering wheel, Luke was enjoying the low music on the radio as he drove. The windows were rolled down and Livy’s hair was billowing in the wind as she was looking out of the window with her knee propped up against the door. The sweet scent of Georgia countryside mixed with the dry reddish-brown dirt permeated the air. Luke loved it. This was home, his life. He couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. He knew Livy was dying for answers, but he wasn’t saying anything as he sat there with a smirk on his face under his baseball cap. Tonight was about them.

Turning the wheel, Luke veered to the left as he made his way across a grassy field and parked his truck between two widespread trees about a mile out. Tonight couldn’t have been a better night as the sky was illuminated with streams of reds, pinks, yellows and light purples as the sun set on the horizon. There was nothing ahead of them for miles but grass and the stunning sunset.

He turned the ignition so the truck wasn’t running, just the battery to keep the music playing softly. Hopping out, Luke made his way around to Livy’s side. She tracked his every move, still waiting for him to say something.

“So...are you going to tell me what’s up? Why we’re in the middle of nowhere?”

“Babe, we live in a small town in the south. We’re always in the middle of nowhere.”

Olivia didn’t even bother responding to his sarcastic answer. He did have a point.

Luke dropped a quick kiss to her cheek and took her to the back of his truck. He dropped the tailgate and climbed in. Grabbing the stack of blankets he brought, Luke began to unroll each one, layering them on top of one another to create a cushion against the hardness of the truck bed.

Once he finished, he looked to Olivia who was watching him curiously. “You done?” she asked.

“Yeah, I think so. Now climb on up here and come sit with me.”

A smile graced Olivia’s face as she placed her hand into Luke’s to help her climb into the bed of the truck. Sitting and leaning back, he turned to his right and reached into a cooler that held ice and beer. Pulling out two cold ones, he cracked one open and handed it to Livy, then did the same for himself.

Bringing the ice cold beer to her lips, Olivia could feel Luke’s eyes on her as she took a long sip of the cool, crisp liquid. The first sip was always the best. Turning sideways with the beer still tipped to her lips, she took another sip while she waited for him to say something, anything.

“What?” she said, not really asking him anything. “I like it.”

Luke just shook his head as he grinned at her. Taking a swig himself, Luke settled back into the pillows and opened his arm out to Livy. She curled into his side, letting out a sigh of contentment as she rested her head on his chest and draped a leg over his. There wasn’t a soul around for miles, nothing but the stillness of the evening and the country music playing softly in the background to keep them company.

Olivia realized why Luke hadn’t said a word about where they were going—it wasn’t needed. He was showing it to her, how easy and tranquil it was for them even in the middle of nowhere. That it didn’t matter where they were or what they were doing, as long as they were doing it together.

How could she ever think of leaving the warmth of Luke’s arms now?

A few beers in and Olivia was cozying up against Luke when Billy Currington’s
Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right
came on the radio. A lazy smile graced her face as she looked up and said, “I love this song.” A soft hum started in the back of her throat.

“Hang on, baby.”

Hidden behind the cooler, Luke pulled out a stuffed animal. A
Care Bear.
Olivia’s heart melted at the sight of its plush little purple body. Luke had called her
Care Bear
for as long as she could remember. He once told her she was like a little bear that kept people warm and comforted when they were in need. The purple bear was small, and around its neck was a dark blue pouch. Luke held the bear in his hand for a moment before he gave it to her.

“For you.”

“What is it?”

“Well, open it and see.”

Olivia ran her fingers across the blue pouch before she pulled the drawstring apart. Cupping her hand below it, she tipped the bag and the contents fell out.

Inhaling a breath, she gasped. Olivia looked at the piece of jewelry lying in her palm. Nestled in her hand was a diamond heart necklace. It was absolutely stunning. She picked up the heart and a dainty gold chain dropped from it.

Olivia was speechless. She was caught off guard and wasn’t sure what to think of it. He’d surprised her with gifts in the past, but nothing this extravagant.

Looking into his green eyes, they held more emotion than words could ever express at that moment. He loved her. She knew he did. It was almost unnerving for Olivia to see the intensity of love held in his eyes for her. Knowing Luke, he wasn't going to say much about his gesture. If anything, he'd belt out one of his songs instead.

“Luke...” she said breathlessly.

Luke shrugged his shoulders.

“It's...too much... Why? You didn't—”

“I know I didn't have to,” he said, cutting her off. “But it reminded me of you when I saw it. I wanted you to have it.”

Olivia rolled the necklace around in her palm, the diamonds sparkling with each twist as she thought about his last comment.

Looking at Luke, his backwards ball cap had his curls flaring out along the sides. Leaning in, Olivia inhaled his intoxicating scent that licked across his skin. She kissed the curve of his neck, her lips pressing against his warm skin. He smelled so good her body started to slowly ignite.

Whispering heavily she said, “Thank you. I love it,” and continued to softly dust kisses all around Luke's neck, onto his cheek and over to his mouth. He didn’t move a muscle, just sat motionless. Olivia gave one last kiss to his lips, pressing hard but letting her tongue just faintly touch his lips teasingly.