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Man, this doctor is the shit He's ed to verify Olivia's fears but put it in terust of breath over her lips that I recognize as a relieved sigh I lean over and puther over to me so I can kiss her temple

"You got this, baby I just know it"

Olivia nods and whispers, "YeahI got this"

Chapter 26

Olivia

I unlock the back door of Fleurish and walk in, hanging the delivery van keys on the wall hook just below the alaruy is out sick today, so Ihi about my cancer

Afterwiththat Stevie wouldn't care, because he's enamored with Garrett Which was fine It's never a hardship to have Garrett around me

But e got to the shop, Stevie wanted the lon on how the appointht in with a dissertation on everything Dr Yoff,plans on ould cover o with ested they duke it out with rock, paper, scissors, and I knew that was my cue to leave

It was enough to drive any worabbed the delivery van keys and hauled my ass out of there

I can hear the quietly, and I pray they'vethan et a peek into the design roo next to Stevie while he works on an arrange on the worktable He looks so dale as I watch hireenery down into the foam base, and Stevie slaps at his hand

"Lay off my masterpiece," Stevie snarls

"It looked odd, sticking out too far," Garrett smoothly replies

"Whatever! You know nothing about this stuff"

I stop ood friends these last fewover their concern for me I know Stevie has a bit of a crush on Garrett and shamelessly flirts with hiives it back as good as he gets so Stevie's cheeks to pinken on rare occasions

"So how do you think Olivia's truly doing with all of this?" Stevie asks quietly as he pokes soement

"She's a trouper," Garrett says proudly "She's handled all of this with such gracestrength She's an a woman, and I'm lucky to have her"

My heart swells on hearing that, and I decide to eavesdrop a littlethat he lovesof emotions deep withinof both peace and elation swirled through my blood It wasn't the first ti, but it was the first time that they physically caused a reaction in my body

I opened ht back to him, because without a doubt I love him as well How could I not when he has fulfilled every fantasy about what love should look like? But they wouldn't come, because a part of me was just a little uneasy over all this, because uilt that Garrett would co but the here and now The future is too unknown for ine what a permanent relationship with this wonderful man would look like

"And how are you holding up?" Stevie asks, his voice sympathetic and warm "Everyone concentrates on Olivia, but I know this is hard for you as well"

I fully expect Garrett to trivialize his feelings, because while he thinks I'h all this But toa little and he turns to rest both ar out a breath of anxiety

"It's codiscovery without end" Garrett's words trail off, leaving so unsaid

Stevie picks up on it and prompts, "But?"

"Butit's terrifying Knowing that I could lose her to this Wondering if I'll lose her to this"

Stevie's hands become still and he turns to face Garrett I can see the sy hand on Garrett's shoulder "I know It eats at me too"

"You know the worst part?" Garrett asks Stevie, his face lookingwhat it would be like if sheif shedied It's been plaguinghow destroyed Zack is If it happensI knoill destroy me"

A sharp pain of despair wells up inside h my chest and turns the blood in uilt pinging ruthlessly Garrett's never voiced these fears tosure I stay positive He's not about to ever weigh me doith his own doubts

Love is grand and warm and secure But love is painful, andhim hurttortureinsecurity And he can't even share that withit all on his shoulders, along with ood in this? How can this be a relationship that will bring him the happiness that a man such as he deserves?

I spin away quietly, tears welling in my eyes I'e to curl up into a ball and wail against the unfairness of it all