She's standing by the counter, waiting to receive her order, when she hears a familiar voice. Turning around, she spots him sitting there, alone, talking on his phone, and she tenses up. Her order is ready. She takes it, praying that he doesn't look up, or praying that he does... not too sure of which outcome she really wants. Should she walk over to him? No. She can't. Just go, Liv, leave. As she's heading towards the exit, she pauses with her hand on the handle. She takes a glance over her shoulder. She could still remember the last time they spoke. It was 3 years ago. 3 years she's had to get over him. Surely he would have gotten over her. Surely he would have moved on from now... even if she couldn't. When the threat of tears begin to approach, she knows that its time to go. And with a soft sigh she steps out and walks away.
He ends the call, setting his phone down, when something catches his attention. No, it couldn't be. I mean, it isn't impossible, but it might as well have been. It's been a hell of a long time. What are the chances of seeing her today? After 3 years? In this coffee shop? She doesn't even like coffee. What if I just turn around real smoothly? He thought. Maybe she won't notice me. But then if it is her, she'll probably be looking. Do I even want to see her? If she is looking, is she hoping that I turn, or that I don't notice? Ah, to hell with it. It's been years, one look can't hurt. And with that, he turns around. But only to catch the ding of the door, and a figure hastily making their way down the block. Too late.
"It was him. I know it." Olivia proclaimed, as she hands a cup of coffee to her friend. "Abby, it was him."
"I'm not doubting you, Liv, I'm just saying. What are the odds."
"What do you mean? The odds must be pretty darn strong if we were both in that coffee shop after 3 years. I mean, neither of us even drink coffee."
"The odds must be pretty damn shitty if you both run into each other after 3 years, and don't say two words to one another."
"Abby, he didn't even see me."
"Well look at that. He didn't see you when you two were together, and 3 years later he still doesn't see you. Nice to know that even after so long, things haven't changed."
Olivia watched as Abby walked back to her office. Leave it to Abby to dampen the mood. Maybe she was right. Maybe she was just tripping. But Olivia couldn't help going back to three years ago, when things between her and Fitz took a turn.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"It was her, Cy, I swear it was." Fitz said to his roommate, when he got back to his apartment.
"And why didn't you say anything?" he responded. "You've been looking for that woman for years now, to no avail, and when fate walks her into your favorite cafe, you choke."
"I didn't know what to do. What if she didn't want to see me? It's a long time, and we left things on a sour note, Cy."
"Well now you'll never know. You had your chance, and you let it go, so now it's time to move on with your life."
Cyrus was right. Now he'd never know, and the last decent memory Fitz had of Liv, was the night he lost her.
Three Years Ago
"Fitz, Fitz, I am not doing this anymore!" She yelled, frustrated.
"And I'm not about to have this argument with you again, Olivia." Fitz was starting to get irritated. All he wanted to do was sit back, with a couple beers, and watch a movie, but she was hell bent on picking a fight. "I don't see what the problem is."
"What my problem is? Fitz, you've got to be kidding me. She wants you!"
"She does not!"
"You're leading her on like I don't exist. You spend more time with her than you do me. If she says 'jump,' you say 'how high,' and I don't matter."
"Olivia, for the love of all things!" He was drunk, and she was upset, a combination that yielded no good.
"No wonder she doesn't respect me."
"Maybe she doesn't respect you because you carry on like a whiny bitch."
A dead silence fell between them. As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted it. He knew he'd screwed up big time. They slid off his tongue and stung her like a slap to the face. The silence was worse than the arguing. Fitz opened his mouth, wanting to apologize till he was blue in the face, but Olivia simply gathered her things, and left the building.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Abby? Hey, can you come get me?" Olivia was standing around the corner from Fitz's building, just in case he tried to follow her. She was on the verge of tears, and the last thing she wanted was for him to see her cry. "I'm at Craig's bar...No, no, I'm fine...Yeah," she mustered up a fake laugh, "I'd probably feel much better if you'd just get here, already, Red. Thanks."
Olivia hadn't gotten any drinks, but it would be easier to have Abby think that was the reason she was feeling down, rather than fill her in on yet another fight with Fitz. It wouldn't last for long, but it would buy her some quiet time. Abby wasn't necessarily the strongest advocate for him, and boy did she make that known. For right now, what she needed was to get back to her place, and forget all about it. She needed to not think for while; to be numb.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Pick up, pick up... dammit Liv!" He slammed his phone down. Fitz had been trying to reach Olivia since she stormed out last night. No doubt, by now, she's already told Abby about what happened. He thought to himself. That redheaded devil probably has her over there preparing to burn me at the stake. He tried her cell again, and got her voicemail. "Olivia, please, I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean it." He sounded exasperated. "I know you're still upset, so I'm trying to give you your space, Liv, but you need to talk to me...Well when you're ready to accept my apology, you know where I'll be." He hung up the phone, and was going to lie down on the couch when the doorbell rang. "Wow that must be the quickest come-around yet, Livvi –"
"Hey there, Fitzy."
"Oh, hey Mellie."
"Why the long face? Fighting with your precious Pope again?" She asked dryly.
"Actually, yes. I thought it was her at my door, sorry. Come on in." He stepped aside, allowing room for her to enter his apartment.
"My poor Fitzgerald. I don't know why you bother with that girl."
He was going to respond when she put a finger to his lips. "Shhhh," she whispered, stepping closer. "She makes you so miserable. But that's okay, because Mellie knows how to make it all better."