Chapter 5
Two weeks left before I officially wrapped up my job.
Micah hadn’t assigned me anything new.
After years of constant deadlines and pressure, the sudden free time felt strangely disorienting.
I started sending out resumes again, while keeping in touch with my current dating prospect.
Dr. Benjamin Cole was the most promising so far.
Aphysics professor–calm, and grounded, shaped by years of dealing with stubborn undergrads.
He was a few years older than me, a widower once before.
Since it wasn’t his first marriage, he didn’t mind that I had a child.
Tonight, we had dinner plans.
I stayed at my desk late, firing off applications, chatting with an HR rep until the clock ticked past six
As I stepped out of the building, I spotted him across the street, standing beneath a tree with a bouquet in his He didn’t move when he saw me.
I pulled my coat tighter. “Why’re you lurking all the way over there?”
“Didn’t want your coworkers to get the wrong idea,
He handed me the bouquet. “The restaurant’s close. Want to walk? The riverfront’s nice this time of year.”
It really was.
A flock of birds shot up from the water, spinning in loops over the reeds.
The air was crisp and cool. Quiet. Just enough breeze to clear your head.
Ben kept glancing over his shoulder.
I followed his gaze. “What is it?”
“Just… feels like someone’s watching us.
He chuckled “Maybe they want your number.”
1 looked back. Everything seemed normal.
“No one’s there. And I’m pretty sensitive to that kind of thing. I’d feel it. Don’t worry.”
He nodded.
“We’re almost there. Let’s cross.”
He held an arm protectively around me as he talked about a funny story from campus.
Rush hour had the streets packed–cars zipping in every direction
Suddenly, he stumbled sideways with a sharp grunt, bumping into me hard.
I staggered, nearly losing my balance.
Ane–bike skidded to a stop just feet from us and crashed.
Three wiry guys scrambled up, dusted themselves off, and hopped back on the bike
Chumer 5
Arms.
-gone before I could react
D
GoodShort
Ben clutched his arm, slightly hunched.
He’d been hit.
I snapped out of it and rushed to support him.
“Don’t move too much. You might’ve fractured something. Let’s get you checked out at the hospital.”
All the cabs were full. Thank god for rideshare apps.
His face had gone pale, sweat beading at his temples..
Olivia, could you… just hold onto me?”
I nodded, guiding him into the car, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead.
He leaned his head against my shoulder, breathing deep.
Fortunately, the ER wasn’t crowded. We got in quickly.
The CT scan showed a dislocated left elbow.
They reset it on the spot, but he’d need a cast for the next few weeks.
I felt heavy with guilt
Ben managed a half–smile. “Still alive, Olivia. But I won’t be playing chauffeur tonight.”
“I’ll take you,” I said. “Dinner’s on me.
He paused, then gave a small nod.
Ben lived in faculty housing near the university.
His apartment was clean and uncluttered the kind of space only a long–term bachelor would keep.
He sat awkwardly in the living room, watching me bustle around the kitchen like he didn’t quite know what to do with himself.
Dinner was simple
No matter how I insisted, he wouldn’t let me touch the dishes afterward
We talked deep into the night, long past when I should’ve left.
Being with someone like him felt… easy.
He had a stable career, a steady income, and just enough manners to smooth over awkward silences.
The kind of man who, even if marriage got rough, wouldn’t make a public mess of it.
As I walked toward the parking lot, I mentally checked off boxes a quiet review of pros and cons like any practical woman would.
I didn’t notice the black car tucked beneath the shadow of a tree-
or the man inside, watching without blinking
Cloper S
62
