Page 26 of The Recovery Coach
Olivia opened the velvet box, revealing the ugliest ring she’d ever seen in her life.Who on earth would choose such a gaudy engagement ring?The question hadn’t even fully formed in her mind before she knew the answer.
“Ew,” she said reflexively.
Daisy and Roxie snorted, and they all broke into giggles as Olivia showed off the wretched thing.
“Where did he find that?”Roxie asked, covering her mouth with her hand.
“You dodged a bullet,” Daisy said.
“Fuck yeah, I did.”She broke down into giggles again.“I sent him like a hundred inspo pictures.His mom definitely chose that monstrosity.”
Her emotions should have been all over the place, but seeing the terrible piece of jewelry had her giddy about never silently smiling and accepting whatever he gave her again.For so long she let herself disappear to make him happy.Never again.Olivia snapped the lid on the ring box shut and tossed it into Lance’s top drawer, paying no mind to where he’d had it hidden.
It took them twenty minutes to clear every piece of Olivia’s existence out of the apartment.She left her key on the counter.
During Olivia’s next shift, Amanda cornered her in the break room.The nurse had her hair in a bun far messier than usual.Dark circles rimmed her eyes, and her cheeks and nose were raw with tears.
She wiped her nose on her sleeve and invaded Olivia’s personal space, whispering, “I need to talk to you.”
“I have nothing to say to you.”She had struggled to remain cordial.Olivia could have aired out all their dirty laundry in public, but she didn’t.She kept her head down, did her work, and tried her best to ignore the rumors she overheard about her own relationship.The least Amanda could do was leave her alone.She tried to step around Amanda to leave, but Amanda sidestepped, blocking her path.
“It’ll only be two minutes.Please.”
Olivia studied her former friend’s face.She looked as if she’d been through hell.Checking the clock, Olivia sighed.“Fine.Two minutes.”
Amanda grabbed Olivia’s wrist and dragged her out of the break room and down the hall, heading toward a conference room.She pulled Olivia into a room and shut the door behind them.
Released, Olivia rubbed the wrist Amanda had gripped too harshly.“Jesus Christ, you could have told me back there.”
“No, I couldn’t.”Amanda tugged at her hair, further mussing up her already haphazard bun, and paced the small meeting room.
“If you don’t get to the point, I’m leaving,” Olivia said.
“Don’t leave, okay?I need a minute.I’m freaking out.”
Olivia let Amanda pace for what felt like hours before throwing her hands up and reaching for the doorknob.
Amanda said, “No, wait.Please.I need a favor.”
Olivia snorted.This bitch had better be joking.Where the fuck did she get the audacity to come to Olivia for a favor?“Yeah, no.”
She opened the door, but Amanda slammed it shut again.“It’s important.I swear I wouldn’t ask if I had any other option.”
Trapped, Olivia stared at the nurse.“Fucking ask then,” she said, losing her patience.
Amanda nodded, eyes wide with worry.She took a deep breath and rushed her words.“I need you to tell Lance it’s really over between you two.”
Olivia blinked, confused.“I have told him it’s over.”
“He seems to think you’re getting back together.Says it’s only a matter of time.”
Of course, he thought she’d come running back.Motherfucker.“I don’t see how I could have been any clearer.I don’t fuck with cheaters.You and Lance are cheaters.”
Amanda looked like she’d been slapped, but quickly recovered.“I know, and I’m sorry.But if you could do this for me, I’d be so grateful.”
“Why do you care?”
“Lance won’t commit to me while he thinks you’re still an option.”Amanda’s voice broke.
