You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 218

Oliver let out a laugh. “That’s a scolding, huh?”

Patricia didn’t hesitate. “It is.”

Mr. Padilla shook his head, pretending to give in. “Alright, alright, you win. My fault. Come here and let me hold you, Pattie.”

He was all talk, but his hands never stopped moving. Before he was even done speaking, Patricia had already settled herself onto his lap.

She shifted around a little, curling up in his arms like a cat finding the perfect spot. With her pressed against his chest, soft and warm and smelling like home, Oliver felt like all the days he’d spent missing her finally made sense.

The car had been customized for Patricia, roomy and comfortable.

Oliver brushed his chin against her cheek. “Did you miss me?”

“Mmm,” she hummed.

He grinned. “And what does ‘mmm’ mean?”

Patricia finally admitted it. “I missed you.”

Mr. Padilla pulled her closer. “I missed you too.”

Patricia played with the button on his sleeve, her voice a little uncertain. “There’s something I should tell you first.”

“Oh?” Oliver raised an eyebrow. “You mean about using my ridiculously expensive tea to cook eggs?”

Johns had already spilled the beans to him, acting like it was a disaster of epic proportions. Tea that cost a small fortune per pound, and she made tea eggs with it. Patricia was nothing if not unpredictable.

As soon as Oliver teased her, Patricia buried her face in his neck, suddenly shy. The way her breath brushed his skin made his heart race.

His hand tightened at her waist.

“Did you save any for me?”

She looked up, caught off guard. “Save what?”

“The tea eggs,” Oliver clarified. “Did you save some for me? I’ve never actually tasted your cooking.”

“There’s still some at home.”

“Good. Then let’s have them tonight.”

“We’re not going straight home?”

“I’m not the type to let a lot of people into my life. Having you is enough for me.”

“No wonder my uncle never stops praising you,” Patricia said. She’d heard Oliver’s name from Atticus more times than she could count.

He always said Oliver was solid.

In a world full of sharks, he was the rare one who stayed clean.

“What does he say about me?” Oliver asked, amused.

“He says you’re reliable. That you’re the kind of person anyone can trust, no matter what.”

A slow smile spread across Oliver’s lips. “And do you trust me, Pattie?”

“I do. I’ve never worried you’d turn your back on me.”

“That’s all I need to hear.” Oliver’s happiness was obvious.

After dinner, Patricia excused herself to the restroom.

As she stepped back out, drying her hands, she spotted Kelly and Howard coming around the corner. Her steps faltered and she paused, paper towel in hand, as their eyes met.