Chapter 33: Flop-Flops

OLLIE

I looked at my phone, finding two messages. One from Roger—scratch that—and one from an unknown number.

Unknown

Free for lunch?

Olivia

Archer?

Why was I staring at the phone? If it was Archibald, he wouldn’t reply so soon. He was too cool for that.

I was wrong. I got a new message right away.

Unknown

Too many admirers?

I smiled. Of course it was Archer! He was such a flirt.

Olivia

Are we talking in questions now?

Unknown

Are we?

As I was saving his number, I heard a knock on my door.

Rosie peeked through the door, looking on point with her red hair pulled back in a delicate ponytail.

“Miss Summer, your doctor’s appointment is set for this morning. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll be taken there.”

I’d almost forgotten that they were removing this stupid monitor today.

“Oh, hi, Rosie. I am feeling just fine. Thank you for letting me know. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I’m going to make it. I already have plans for the day.”

It didn’t matter how hard I tried to turn a blind eye. The whole heart situation made me anxious.

I wasn’t ready to hear Dr. Kumar’s diagnosis.

Rosie frowned, those freckles around her nose scrunching together.

“He will not like that.”

“Who will not like that?”

“Master Darius is not a patient man. I would not keep him waiting,” she said, as if providing helpful information.

~Master Darius?~

“Okay, well, I am sure your ~master~ will understand that I am busy,” I replied, frowning back.

“Oh, I think you should reconsider. He gave the order to bring you downstairs.”

An ~order~? Who did he think he was?

“Thank you, Rosie. You can tell him that he can kiss…my…ass!” I spoke sassily, pronouncing every syllable.

The woman stood processing my words with a funny look that let me know how much she was judging me.

“Extend the message, Rosie. Thank you.”

I closed the door in her face.

I was never this rude, but this ~master~ bullshit bothered me.

Who has a master in the twenty-first century? ~Poor woman.~

Seizing the day, I texted Archer back.

Olivia

Lol. Only a pair of flop-flops could beat your present, thank you!

Archibald

Flop-flops?

Olivia

Oh, no! Don’t tell me you haven’t heard that joke.

Archibald

I am all ears.

Olivia

A woman with two left feet walks into a shoe store…

I waited for him to ask, so my dad’s joke punch line could hit the note.

Archibald

What happens to the woman with the two left feet?

I smiled while texting. This was so goofy of me.

Olivia

She asks the manager: “Excuse me, do you have any flop-flops?”

Archibald

I am speechless. I need a minute.

~Oh, no, he hated the flop-flop joke!~ A long minute passed without a reply, and I was getting worried about how bad my joke was.

Archibald

You must have the most interesting shoe rack. Care to show me?

I laughed out loud. My fingers typed so fast I wasn’t even thinking.

Olivia

It is too soon to show you my rack. I thought you meant we were going on a date first.

~Bad, impulsive, Olivia!~

Archibald

Are you feeling shy? Bring your flop-flops for lunch today, then.

I smiled, feeling accomplished.

I liked this interaction with Archibald.

He was sweet, fun, and he understood my jokes, which was a very important factor on my dating scale.

A date with Archibald sounded better than a diagnostic reveal from Dr. Kumar.

I opened the closet, thinking about Archer.

I hadn’t brought any flop-flops with me, as it was winter, but I’d be sure to wear a hot outfit.

A cute dress with a cozy sweater and a pair of matching boots would do.

I laid the outfit out on the bed.

I looked up and jumped when I saw Darius standing at my door.

“Jesus!” I hissed. “Don’t you know how to knock? How long have you been standing there? You creep.”

“Long enough.” He looked at the dress on the bed and then at his clothes from last night on my body—my comfy pajamas.

“Anything you want to tell me in person?”

He crossed his arms and legs and rested his body on the doorframe.

He looked so relaxed, his tall body covering all the length of the frame.

He’d received the message, then.

I snatched the dress from the bed and turned my back to him.

“Which part?”

“What plans are more important than checking your heart?”

I felt his intense stare piercing my neck.

Was he mad?

“You are clearly getting ready for something, Olivia.”

“It is none of your business,” I said flatly.

“Isn’t your health your priority?”

It was, but I didn’t have the money to pay for all these doctors and treatments.

“Why do you care, anyway?” I said through my teeth.

“I promised Dr. Kumar I’d keep an eye on you. And let’s just say you popped into my head last night, Olivia.”

Something in the way he said “popped” felt like it had a double meaning.

I crossed my arms, feeling impatient.

“Why are you here?” I pressed.

“I’m here to take you.”

I raised my eyebrow at him.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Oh, you are, Olivia Summer. Even if I have to drag you out of here myself.” He stood up straight.

“Why are you so bossy? I said no.” I laughed nervously.

Somehow I found this amusing.

“Then I have no choice but to do what you asked.” He stepped closer.

My smile vanished as I moved backward.

“What was it you told Rosie? You know she is not from here, right?” His lip curled up as my thighs reached the bed and I stopped.

“Rosie doesn’t understand your American humor. She took it quite literally, about what you want me to do to you. To kiss your ass, right? That’s what you want from me?”

He was so close.

My eyes widened as I stumbled back on the bed, falling awkwardly on my back.

He laughed, leaning forward, almost on top of me, intimidating me, putting both hands on each side of the mattress, trapping me in the middle.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I told her that I would help you right away,” he said.

“You are disgusting!” I turned my head to the side.

“Get dressed, or you will give me other ideas.”

I shut my eyes.

His lips were getting close to me, close to my neck, whispering, “So scared of me, Olivia? I think you are terrified that you’ll like it.”

I swallowed hard as his thumb caressed my burning cheek lightly.

His face changed into a soft smile, and he stood.

“Get dressed, Olivia. We are leaving in ten minutes.”