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Thank heavens she had Dane to help her through this time What would she have done if he hadn’t stepped in when he did?

Then there was Jack’s funeral Dane attended with Olivia for support Jesse was stone cold towards her now—she was glad to have Dane by her side, co her, especially since he’d been there to see the wholethe Belmonts were of her How blessed Olivia felt at a difficult tiood family around them Now Olivia knehat people meant when they said your family could consist of people other than those to whom you were related Dane didn’t share Olivia’s DNA but he cared about her and would do anything for her as if she was his own

Chapter 12

The next , before Olivia made her way into work from the Belmont Palace, she took Dane up on his offer to sit andthe beach

She had no choice but to try to psych herself up a bit before going into work after such a long break She took out her notepad and acted on her inspiration, writing down a few lines to a new poe poetry to be relaxing though she kept her hobby to herself The air was crisp and refreshing The crash of the waves, soothing There was nothing like being so close to nature Her nerves were led nerves before heading into the hustle and bustle of the city

No wonder Dane seeh he’d recently moved back home It was sure nice to have a

“That’s odd,” she said to herself, looking around her For so watched

Don’t be crazy, Olivia You’re on private grounds, remember? She looked up at the Bel the lake

Was so on her from inside?

She drew in a deep breath and ignored the feeling She had to learn to let go and relax as Dane told her Fro ritual She sat up and straightened her back a la yoga posture and drew in a deep breath again

Inhale love and cal, exhale doubt

You can do this, Olivia

Go into work as if nothing happened over the holidays Focus on helping your clients You can do this Ignore your gossipy co-workers A few ladies loved to do their o anywhere near that crowd

She was supposed to have been on her honeymoon and with her new husband Soifts, which she’d ended up donating So that never was at the Belmont so they kneent down that day, but others had holiday plans and couldn’t make it What would she say to them?

God, the last thing she would ould be the look of pity on the faces of her co-workers She didn’t need anyone’s pity

“It’s only a couple days a week, Olivia You’re part-time, remember? You can do this!” she coached herself

“Oh, God, Olivia, I’m so sorry about what happened to you,” Chatney, her dra a cup of Starbucks coffee in her hand and a file in the other “Hoful” She wore a catastrophic look on her face as if the world just ended

Oh, God The last thing she wanted was anyone’s pity

Chatney was always the exaggerating type who overreacted to everything—even though what happened to Olivia was terrible, it was alet back to her part-time duties … quietly and inconspicuously Chatney would always have this Oh My Gawd!!! behavior whenever anything out of the ordinary happened It sure didn’t make Olivia feel any better

“It’s okay, Chatney Really”

“How can you be so calated Olivia, her voice elevated “He left you, then he died all in the same day!” As if Olivia needed to be re coffee, as if waiting for more juicy details

“He didn’t die the saht before,” Olivia corrected, her voice trailing off “He died…the day of…”

“It’s okay, girl,” Vanessa, her other co-worker, interrupted and ca Chatney, don’t you have work to do?” Vanessa turned to Chatney who then shrugged

“Sorry, I just had to see how you’re doing, Olivia Catch up with you later,” Chatney said

Hopefully not