Olive's P.O.V."Hailey!" I yelled at her as she continued to mop, swaying her hips side to side over the blaring salsa music. "Hailey!" I yelled again when she didn't hear me. She was humming along as she helped me clean mom's loft the next day. Eventually, I gave up on yelling, tapping on her shoulder instead. She turned with a smile, grabbing my hands, and trying to make me dance with her. I wasn't in the mood though. There was a lot to get done before the service today. I shook my head at her, making her pout for a moment before she grabbed the stereo remote and muted it. "What's up?" She co.cked her head to the side. "I need to go get the flowers for today and take them to the funeral home as well as sign the release papers for mom's body. Do you want to come with me?" I bit at my cheek, hoping she would say yes. I didn't want to be alone. "Of course!" She nodded, dropping the mop and giving me a big hug. "Let me clean myself off first." Hailey and I ran around town for a whi
Olive's P.O.V. My phone buzzed way too early in the morning for my liking. I groaned as I reached for it with closed eyes. It had been a week now since I spread mom's ashes with Lucas, Leo and Hailey. I started going back to regular classes and thankfully hadn't fallen too far behind. "Hello?" I answered, not caring that I sounded hoarse from sleep. "Good morning, am I speaking with Olivia Brewer?" An elegant woman's voice came through. I cleared my throat, sitting up on the bed more."This is she. May I ask who I'm speaking with?" "Hello, Ms. Brewer, my name is Tammy and I'm the genealogist who performed your BRACA gene test." My heart stilled and my palms began to sweat as I awaited for her to continue. Do I have the gene? "I am sorry to inform you that you do carry the BRACA gene. You have options, and it isn't a certainty that will get breast cancer, you're just more likely than others. I suggest having regular screenings. The results were sent to your PCP as well, and she s
Lucas' P.O.V. My Rose had let me have her again, and I was floating way above the clouds. I had missed being deep inside her all week. I knew she needed time, and frankly, I would have waited longer if I had to. I stopped seeing all the other girls in my life the moment I decided to make Rose my own. There's no competing with her. She's perfect. I watched as she grabbed her phone, sighing at whoever was calling her. I curled a brow at her curiously, but she didn't oblige my curiosity with an answer instead of answering the phone, holding a figure up at me. "Hello?" answered. "Yes, she told me this morning." Another pause, as whoever was on the end of the line responded to her. "I understand. I would rather not do that if it's avoidable. I know I'll need to be sure to be screened more often if I don't, but I don't feel a mastectomy is the route I want to take." My heart stopped as I picked up the words she was saying. I quickly sat beside her, wrapping my arm around her waist and t
Olive's P.O.V. Lucas had asked me on a date again. I wasn't sure how I felt about it at the moment. I know that I want it, but I'm also scared to get hurt again. I like Lucas too much, despite trying to keep it just about sex. I tried to tell my body to say no, but what came out was yes. I slapped myself stupidly on the drive to school. The car was a damn dream. It drove so well and with the weather being nice; I had put the top down, feeling the wind whip my hair around. It probably wasn't my brightest idea. I had to tie my bird's nest of hair into a high, messy bun when I arrived. I ran to my class, cutting it close, but somehow still making it on time. Professor Johnson greeted me with a small smile. All my professors had expressed their condolences. They had been keeping an attentive eye on me. Class was quick. I found it oddly easy here lately. I am not sure if it is because Professor Johnson is such a great teacher, or because I got so far ahead in our textbook last week whe
Olive's P.O.V. Hailey twitched her leg beside me, full of nerves, even though I should be the one freaking out. She bit at her thumbnail as we waited in the doctor's office for her to return. She had done my screening yesterday and asked that I come in today. Lucas had gone with me yesterday, being a significant support, so I brought Hailey here with me today instead. I didn't think she would panic on me, though. She was raising my anxiety up. "Hailey, stop, you're making me nervous." "You should be! Doctors never call you back to the office to share good news." I knew she was right, but I was hoping this was just a 'hey you're clear, but let's discuss options' kind of visit. Dr. Payne came in, clearing her throat as she shut the door behind her. "Olive, I am glad you could come in so soon." She greeted me, as she sat behind her desk with Hailey and me sitting across from her. "I am afraid I have some bad news, and some good news for you." My heart was speeding with nerves,
Olive's P.O.V. "Lucas?" I furrowed my brow as I opened both eyes. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you could use some company." He smiled. "Oh, did you?" I sat up, no longer relaxed in the slightest. "Yeah, I know you have too much going on in your head. Honestly, I couldn't get you out of my head." He shocked me with his revelation. "I don't want to think about any of that. I just want to pretend like everything is fine and not falling apart all around me." I sighed, laying back on my chair again. "I kind of wonder how mom felt when they told her she had cancer." "I am sorry, Rose. I hate that her cancer wasn't caught sooner. She was an amazing woman to have passed away over something that could have been cured if caught soon enough." He shook his head as if he were so mad over the fact. "No, kidding." I sighed, staring up at the one lonely cloud floating above. "She seemed like a wonderful woman. I know she left you when you were young to deal with a lot of shit th
Lucas' P.O.V. I kept my phone by my side, trying not to miss Rose's call or text the next day. I want to make sure that I am there for her when she goes in for surgery. I've been looking up the best oncologists in the state, and one familiar name popped up. I refuse to let him see her, even if he is conveniently located nearby. I hate him. He's no better than my father. Kane Phillips is a pompous ass. He thinks himself better than the rest with his high and mighty act. 'I not only help my patients with their cancer, I help their families as well.' He said that to us at the dinner table once. I had seen him 'help' the family before. She was bent over his desk as he 'helped' her. I didn't see him the same after that. He took advantage of her. He said it was the only time he had done that when I confronted him about it. I didn't believe him, but I was only 16 at the time, so no one really cared what I had to say about him. He married the woman, as if to prove a point to me. They di
Olive's P.O.V. "I'll do my best." He told me with a look of determination and sympathy. He could tell I was feeling anxious about tomorrow. I mean, who wouldn't be? There's a possibility I have cancer right now. Damn mass in my breast! Lucas easily lowered his arms, letting me know he had been letting me keep them there. There was a deep admiration in his eyes that was freaking me out a little from the intensity. I looked away, feeling too self conscious under his gaze. Lucas brought his mouth down to my neck, kissing it tenderly. It wasn't the usual sucking and marking he liked to do. He kissed down to the opened collar of my shirt, before sliding his hands under it and helping me out of it. He then continued his light kisses over my torso, around my breast, and down my stomach. His hands sensually pulled my pants down at the speed of a snail, letting his fingertips tickle my skin along the way. I bit my lip, enjoying these gentle touches he was giving me. This hadn't been somet