The comment made Sophie snort. “Sorry. I shouldn’t laugh...”
“Oh, no. It’s quite comical.” The other woman shook her head, her brown ponytail swishing back and forth with the movement. “After Jake and his team rescued me, this one organization contacted me. Theyliterallywanted to put my picture on a poster with the words ‘Volunteer Violence Awareness’ at the top in big, block letters.”
Sophie felt her mouth drop. “They didn’t.”
“Oh, but they did.”
“What did you say?”
“I politely told them thanks, but no thanks.” Liv took a drink of her coffee, taking her time before getting the conversation back on track. “Okay, look. I’m not trying to hound you. I promise, I’m not. But did you at least call Dr. Heller?”
“I did, actually.” Sophie nodded. “I have an appointment with her in two days.”
Dr. Monica Heller was a local counseling psychologist. She specialized in working with those who’d fallen victim to violence, specifically survivors of abduction and/or murder attempts.
When Sophie and the others first returned home from Djibouti, Olivia had reached out almost immediately. Having survived much worse than what Sophie had gone through, the sweet nurse had wanted to make sure she was okay, and knew she wasn’t alone in the aftermath.
Yes, some days were difficult, and more often than not, her nights were still sleepless. But she’d done what she always did when life got tough...she pushed through it.
Getting back to work helped more than anything. She was back to having a normal routine, and the job kept her mind occupied on other things.
It was when she was alone, and the shadows of the night crept in...those were the moments she felt afraid and vulnerable.
“You’re going to love Monica.” Olivia broke through her thoughts. “She’s not pushy or overbearing. She really listens and...well, anyway.” She waved herself off. “I’m just glad you’re going to see her. But there’s no pressure, here. If you don’t think she’s a good fit, let me know and I’ll help you find someone who is. And don’t forget, you can always come to me. Night or day.”
Sophie’s heart felt full as she stared back at her hazel-eyed friend. “Thanks, Liv. I know it probably feels like I’m blowing you off, but I’m not. I really do appreciate all you’ve done since I got back.”
“What are friends for?” Olivia smiled. “And speaking of friends, Jake said Ryker seemed overly interested in becoming one of yours. Said the guy went apeshit when he saw that man trying to hurt you.”
A sudden spike in her pulse took Sophie off guard, her body reacting to just the mention of the man’s name.
“Jake’s exaggerating,” she brushed it off. “Jason was just doing his job. Nothing more.”
“Huh.” Olivia took another sip of coffee. “Well,Jasonmust be doing a damn thorough job seeing as how he’s been here five times in the last two weeks. Not to mention, he’s just happened to run into youallfive times.”
“I didn’t realize you were keeping track.” Okay, so maybe she had been, too. But Sophie had tried not to read too much into it. “The man helps run this place, Liv. Of course, he’s going to be here occasionally.”
“Occasionally, sure.” The other woman nodded. “Just seems like hisoccasionshave occurred more frequently since you guys got back. And the way he looks at you when he’s here?” Olivia fanned herself dramatically.
Sophie’s heart thumped hard against her ribs even as she muttered, “Whatever.”
“Come on, Soph. Are you really going to tell me you haven’t noticed?”
Oh, she’d noticed. She’d also convinced herself it was all in her head. Wishful thinking and all that.
“I’m sure he’s checked in on all the volunteers. Probably part of his job description or something.”
“Uh...no.” Olivia’s face twisted. “Pretty sure that’s not it.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter. Even if he was interested...which he’s not...he hasn’t said a word about it.”
“Because men are idiots when it comes to women.”
She had a point, but still, “Yours seems to do all right in that department.”
“Are you kidding?” Olivia chuckled. “It took that man a full tenyearsbefore he finally admitted his true feelings for me.”
“Yeah, but from what you’ve said,youhadn’t told him how you felt, either. Right?”