You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 128

Hector shot Lincoln a look over his shoulder. “Lincoln, what did you just say?”

“Dinner,” Lincoln answered.

“Dinner? From where?”

Lincoln glanced at Oliver. “Your wife sent it over.”

He’d almost said “Mrs. Padilla,” but they were married now. Calling her by her maiden name just felt weird.

But the second Lincoln said “your wife,” Hector nearly lost it.

“Wife? Since when do we have a wife around here?”

“My wife,” Oliver replied, taking the food container from Lincoln and waving him off.

Hector stared, eyes wide, trailing Oliver into the office. “You got married and didn’t invite me?”

“We got the marriage certificate, but haven’t had the wedding yet.”

“So you’re hiding it?”

“We’ll have the ceremony later.”

“At least tell me who she is! You really went and got married in secret like you’re some kind of spy?”

“Seriously? Who even does that anymore? What, did you steal someone’s wife?”

“Or did you trick some sweet, clueless girl into marrying you before she figured you out?”

Oliver didn’t bother responding. He just opened the food container. Instantly, the smell filled the room.

Patricia was used to Marian’s cooking, and lately Marian had taken charge of everything at Cloud Peak. The food was nothing like before—bold, spicy, and packed with flavor. After a long afternoon of meetings, Hector’s stomach was practically begging.

He stared at the food, swallowing hard.

He glanced at Oliver. “Did you guys hire a new chef or something?”

Oliver pulled out a chair and sat down, totally casual. “You want some?”

Hector nodded like crazy.

Oliver said, “You can eat or you can talk. Pick one.”

“Eat,” Hector said without hesitation.

O: As your husband, I’m older, I’ve seen more of the world. Helping you grow is just what I’m supposed to do.

O: You don’t have to thank me. It feels too distant.

O: Way too formal.

Patricia read his messages, rubbing her temples.

Patricia: Then what should I do?

Oliver had a lot he wanted to say, but there was something so careful in the way Patricia asked that question, it threw him a little.

After a while, he finally replied: Let me in.

Three words, but they made her hand go hot around her phone.

Let him in? Did he mean her life, or her heart?

She was still wondering when another message from Oliver popped up.

O: Both.