You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 163

Patricia kept quiet, not daring to answer.

Of course she was scared—wasn’t that obvious?

“I’m not scared,” she said, refusing to give him the satisfaction. She knew that saying it out loud would only play right into his hands.

“I know you’ll always have my back,” she added.

Oliver looked at her, amused by the sly sparkle in her eyes. She was like a little fox, always up to something. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

He reached out, his rough palm brushing gently through her silky hair. His hand slid down over her shoulder and came to rest in her palm, his thumb lingering on her bare left ring finger. His lips still held a smile, but the humor in his eyes faded a little.

“Where’s your ring?” he asked quietly.

She shrugged, casual. “I’m about to go deal with something. Took it off on purpose.”

“If it bothers you, I can put it back on.”

If she’d taken it off to make a statement, that would definitely bother him. But with her saying it so breezily, he couldn’t really complain.

“No need.”

“And take Aiden with you,” he added.

“Okay,” Patricia agreed easily.

Right before getting into the car, she glanced at Jackson. He reassured her, “Everything’s ready, ma’am. You don’t have to worry.”

Aiden pulled open the car door for her.

As she passed Jackson, she teased, “We’re married and you’re still calling me ‘Miss’? Isn’t that a little old-fashioned?”

Jackson scratched his head, embarrassed. “I’ve called you that for over ten years. Hard habit to break! Just bear with me.”

Aiden snorted. “Idiot. I’m warning you—don’t call her that in front of Mr. Padilla.”

“Why not?”

“The Padilla family’s all about tradition. They care about that stuff.”

Jackson made a face. “Guess nobody told them the world’s moved on.”

Patricia crossed her legs and leaned back. “Theo and I have been divorced for years. Still calling me ‘Mrs.’ is kind of an insult, don’t you think?”

Aiden apologized quickly. “Sorry. Ms. Martin, what can I do for you?”

She glanced at Jackson, who stepped forward and pulled off a red cloth from the table.

Underneath was a pile of hundred-dollar bills.

Patricia grinned, her voice light. “I’ve always kind of liked you, Aiden. Heard you’re tight on cash lately, so I thought I’d help you out.”

Aiden was stunned by the gesture.

“I’ve been back for a while, but never found a chance to see you. Sorry for making our reunion so... transactional. Hope you don’t mind.”

Aiden’s hands clenched at his sides.

Mind? He’d never dare.

With his grandfather battling cancer and the only hope being a ridiculously expensive treatment overseas—one shot costing over a hundred grand—money was all he could think about.