You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 122

“You’re my family, not my enemy,” Oliver said again, repeating what he’d told her on the plane.

He was always direct. Honest in a way that left no room for misunderstanding.

Next to that, Patricia felt her own awkwardness stand out even more.

“How do I use this essential oil?” Oliver asked, turning the little bottle over in his hands, clearly lost. He gave up and just looked at her for help.

“Mix it with a carrier oil. Dilute it,” Patricia replied softly.

He nodded, poured some into his palm, and rubbed his hands together before gently massaging it onto her calf.

They hadn’t spent much time living together during those three years in Toronto, but he’d still learned a few things about her from the people who’d taken care of her.

His thumb traced slow circles along her skin, working carefully up her leg. “Is the pressure okay?”

“It’s great. Thank you.”

Oliver laughed quietly, amused by her politeness.

“What did Sara want to talk about?”

“She asked if I wanted to go shopping tomorrow,” Patricia answered honestly.

“Do you have time?” he paused, nodding for her to switch legs.

“I told her I’m busy. Maybe some other time.”

The sound of his palms rubbing together with the oil was soft but noticeable. Oliver kept talking, his voice gentle. “I’d suggest not agreeing to anything she asks.”

“If you say yes once, they’ll keep pushing. The three of them are supposed to be working hard at the company, but lately, they act like skipping work is a hobby.”

“Their manager complains to me constantly. Every time we talk, he has something to say.”

“Don’t spoil them,” Oliver added, his tone clearly protective.

Patricia thought about it, then asked quietly, “If I keep turning them down, does that make me too cold?”

Too cold?

Oliver shot her a look. “Funny. You never worried about that when you said no to me.”

Patricia’s cheeks went pink.

Patricia did as he asked, moving her leg aside.

He turned to her, his expression soft. “It’s not weak to ask for help. You have family now, Ms. Martin.”

Patricia froze.

She’d been on her own for so long. Hearing those words hit her hard. Her mind buzzed.

She had family now. That was rare. That was everything.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Oliver reached out, about to ruffle her hair, but stopped when he remembered the oil on his hands.

“Get some sleep,” he told her. “I’ve got a bit of work to finish.”

Patricia curled up under the covers, but sleep wouldn’t come. She kept replaying his words in her mind.

So this is what it feels like to be cared for.