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change. She was surprised when Jamie followed her in. Maybe he did want to ravish her after all.
    “Hi.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted herself to kiss him.
    The kiss was light, she attempted to deepen it, but it wasn’t working. She rubbed her hands across his chest then massaged his shoulders. Gazing into his eyes, she ran her palm along his cheek. Something was off, and panic was setting in. Standing on tip toes again, she tried to kiss him, but he stopped it.
    “Wait,” he said. “Sit.”
    She took a seat on the bed, staring at him. An uneasy feeling swept through her. This wasn’t going to be good.
    “I wanted to talk to you about something. Nikki and I took the girls to the park today.” He began. “Kelly was there with her kids.”
    A lump was felt in her throat. Right now she could only wish that Kelly did not say what Olivia feared she might of.
    He crossed his arms and asked, “Why does Kelly think I’m gay?”
    Oh God. She didn’t get her wish. Closing her eyes, she didn’t know what to say. But he deserved an explanation. “I kind of told her you were.”
    “Why?”
    “I don’t know. She came over here with all these questions about Eric and me, she said my house was dirty, and then something about you being a hot guy. And somehow she asked if you were gay and for some reason I agreed.”
    “Are you that concern ed about what these people think?”
    “I don’t want to be.” And she meant it.
    His arms tightened across his chest. He was closed off.
    “I’m sorry. I regretted it the moment I said it.” Tears fought to escape.
    “I’m not happy that you’re too embarrassed of me that you would say I was gay. But you should have told me. Think of how I felt when she starts asking me if many people had issues with me watching their kids since I was gay!”
    He was angry and had ever y right to be. She stood and tried to pull his arms apart. He didn’t budge.
    “I’m sorry. How can I make this right?”
    “Stop caring so much of what everyone t hinks. Who cares if they gossip? Eric is a jerk and why should you tell lies as to why he left? Be honest.”
    “But then I look like I wasn’t good enough for him.”
    “He isn’t good enough for you. When will you see that?” Jamie shook his head.
    “You don’t understand. You don’t live here where people probably have binoculars watching all day what you’re doing just so they can tell everyone.” And Kelly was the leader of the pack. She knew everything about everyone. She’d been caught before sitting in her minivan just watching.
    “You ’re right, I don’t.” He sighed. “But I would never live here and be judged. And if I did, I wouldn’t care what they thought.”
    She slumped back onto the bed. She didn’t want to argue with him. More than anything, she wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her, telling her it would be okay. But he stood firm, making his point. She’d been wrong to get caught up in a web of lies. She really should have been honest about Eric from the beginning. It was too late now. All she could do was try to make Jamie see she wanted to try and change.
    “I heard you needed Nikki here early tomorrow. Since she can’t, I’ll make a point to be.”
    “Thanks.”
    After what felt like an eternity of silence, he motioned her. “Come here.”
    His arms were finally open and he was hugging her. His big arms held her close. She felt safe. It only lasted a moment though. Once he released her, he lifted her chin and placed a peck on her lips and left.
    Most women would have crawled into bed and cried until they were asleep. Olivia however , saw a glimmer of hope from his kiss. All she had to do was put a plan into motion to show him she could be who he thought she could be.
    ****
    It had been a slow day at the office. Olivia was told this was usual. Mondays and Fridays were the two busiest days. Tuesday and Wednesday were the slowest and Thursday the pace started to pick up. She was left