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and I’m past the point of being hungry. I feel kind of nauseous, but everything smells so good. I dig into my salad eating large mouthfuls of chicken and lettuce, swallowing gratefully.
    “So,” Selena begins, picking at her salad. “Are you going to tell me what happened with Blade?”
    “I kind of told him I had a new boyfriend.” I say through a mouthful of food.
    Her eyes widen. “What did he say?”
    “That he doesn’t want me to see him.”
    “Him?”
    “I told him I’m dating Seth.”
    “Who’s Seth?”
    What? I’m about to throw my fork at her. “The guy from the steakhouse.”
    She clasps a manicured hand over her mouth and laughs through the gaps between her slender fingers. “Jesus, O. Why’d you do that?”
    I almost chuckle. “Because Blade seems to think I’m plain and no one else would want me. I want him to see that I am desirable to men—especially someone like Seth who, let’s face it, has a face and a body carved by God himself. He can have any girl he wants.”
    “Not every girl.” Selena says, trying to make a statement. I angle my head and narrow my eyes at her, challenging her. Even Selena knows all a handsome guy has to do is bat an eyelid at her and she’ll go with it—he doesn’t even have to be handsome half the time.
    She chews on a piece of lettuce, giggling. “I totally lied. I’d let him have me. Hell, if he was the one that asked for a blow job in the bathroom I’d do it and I’d pay him.”
    I spit salad all over the table, unable to contain my laughter. Selena laughs too and soon, the conversation between Blade and I falls from thought. All I want to do is hang out with my best friend.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    Spending last night eating snacks and watching Mean Girls was exactly what the doctor ordered. After I dropped Selena at her father’s law firm, I went to the gym. I’m going to have to spend extra time on the treadmills today if I want to burn off all of the sugar and Trans fats I ate last night. It was worth it though.
    I approach the building and as my fingers curl around the long door handle, I realize I’m holding my breath. I let it go slowly and open the door. Do not look at him. Do not look at him. I fail miserably and my eyes betray me, darting straight to where he was standing yesterday of their own accord. I pout when my gaze falls onto an empty space.
    Seth isn’t here.
    Suddenly, my motivation to be at the gym depletes.
    “Olivia!” My dad calls from the window in the middle of the wall at least two stories up. He waves his hand in front of him, gesturing for me to come up the stairs.
    I stroll to Dad’s office, wishing I was back in bed sleeping. I step in and close the door behind me. Dad’s office is his sacred place and I feel uncomfortable being here surrounded by memorabilia of his favorite martial artists and boxers in glass cases on the wall. Mom wouldn’t let him have a ‘man cave’ at home, so he started one at work. Sometimes I worry he takes things too far.
    “Hey, Dad.” I say, dropping into a comfy chair opposite his desk.
    He rises from his chair and shrugs on a jacket. “Olly, I need a favor.”
    His words leave an unsettling feeling in my stomach, or maybe it’s the use of my nickname. Yuck. “...okay.”
    “I need you to keep an eye on the gym for me today. Derrick is away on holiday and I have no one to run this place. I have a few doctors’ appointments for random tests.” He flicks his wrist like it’s no big deal and suddenly I become concerned. “But I should be back in a few hours.”
    “Is everything okay?”
    “Yeah, everything is fine. Your mother is just worried about my health.” He rolls his big, puppy dog eyes and I smile.
    “Sure, I can do that for you.”
    “You’re a good kid.” He stretches his arms out to me for a hug and I jump into them. His arms wrap around me and I’m engulfed by that typical father smell. I don’t even know how to