Olivia stretched as the sun pierced through the blinds in her room. She looked over at her alarm clock for the time. It was still early and she really didn't want to get out of bed. She wondered if her roommate Abby was awake. Normally, Abby had the music blasting in the morning, letting the world and Olivia know she was awake. She was surprised Abby didn't run into her room. It was Olivia's birthday. She smiled as she pulled the covers back and headed to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and showered for the day. She was excited about going to Las Vegas for her birthday with her friends. She needed this trip. She had been in such a funk since her break up with Edison. It had been three weeks since they called it quits. Their relationship had become stagnant after two years and Olivia didn't see it changing. Olivia sighed as she thought about their last conversation.
They were out to dinner at one of their favorite restaurants. They had been busy during the week and finally carved out some time for one another. Olivia had made up in her mind that she was going to end the relationship before her birthday. She wanted to enjoy her trip to Las Vegas. They had minimal conversation at dinner. Edison was on his phone majority of the night. She cleared her throat several times signaling to him that she was seated across from him and wanted some attention. "Sorry baby" he said. "Its work." It was always work she thought. Edison was in the last year of his medical residency. He barely had time for her or anything else. Olivia taught kindergarten and was finishing her Master's degree in Education at Georgetown.
"Edison we should end things" she blurted out tired of waiting for the right time.
He lifted his head from his phone. "What did you say?" he asked.
"We should end things" she repeated. She placed her fork down on the side of her plate.
"What do you mean, we should end things? Did I say something? Did I do something wrong?" he asked.
"We're just…just growing apart." she said. "I'm not happy Edison".
"You're not happy" he said with an attitude. He pushed his chair slightly back. "When did things change for you? I've been here for you Olivia. I've done my part as a boyfriend. I've respected your decision to wait to have sex. I've done everything you've asked me. Every fucking thing. I catered to your every need" he said shaking his head.
Olivia's eyes widened at his response. "It's been awhile Edison. I tried to push the feelings down and I just can't" she said.
"Is there someone else?" he asked.
Olivia chuckled a little. "Edison there is no one else. I barely have time to see you. Why would you think that?" she asked
"I don't know Olivia. This is coming out of nowhere." he said.
"I'm turning 25 soon and I just want to be happy. I can't pretend anymore."
"Wow this isn't how I planned the evening to end." He reached in his pocket and slid her a black velvet box. Olivia opened it and her eyes widened at the 5-carat diamond ring. "I was going to ask you to marry me. I was just waiting for the right time." He shrugged.
"Edison" was all Olivia could get out. She was speechless.
"I thought about it for weeks. I had the ring for some time. I knew I was going to ask you for your birthday, but then you told me you were going to Vegas with your friends. I figured, I would ask you before the trip, so you could show off the ring for your birthday."
"I don't know what to say" she said.
"There's nothing to say. I just got my ass handed to me. I feel embarrassed and stupid. I didn't know your feelings for me had changed. I was texting your mom and dad the entire time because they wanted an update. They wanted to know if I had asked you yet" he said sipping his drink.
He wasn't ignoring her all this time at dinner like she thought. Olivia sighed. She started feeling sorry for Edison. "I'm sorry Edison."
He wiped his mouth with his napkin. "You can keep the ring if you want. I don't have any use for it now." He said.
"Edison, I'm not keeping the ring. You should take it back." She slid the ring box across the table to him.
"What am I going to tell your parents?" he asked.
"The truth" she said.
Edison's parents and Olivia's parents had been friends since Olivia and Edison were in diapers. Olivia's father and Edison's dad were best friends. They started a marketing firm together. Edison and Olivia had always been great friends. Two years ago, during the summer they decided to date. They were both single. Things started off really well. Their parents were excited at the possibility of them being together, eventually getting married and having kids.
Olivia didn't want to prolong dinner. He felt embarrassed and she felt horrible. "We should go" Olivia said. She felt bad for him, but she needed to be honest with herself. She should have told him sooner she thought.
He helped her put on her jacket. They walked outside to wait for the car from the valet. The drive to Olivia's apartment was quiet and awkward. Edison pulled up to her apartment. Olivia placed her hand on the car door to exit. "Before you go Olivia, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything" she said.
"Can we still remain friends at least?" he asked.
"I don't see why not." She looked at him and she could see the hurt in his eyes. She placed a soft kiss on his lips. "We were better as friends" she said. He squeezed her hand and pulled it to his lips and kissed it. Olivia exited the vehicle and headed inside her apartment.
Olivia finished her shower. She opened her bedroom door and headed into the kitchen.
"Haaaappppyyy Biirrttthhhdaaaayyyyy" Abby yelled. She was holding a big number 25 balloon in her hand. She had 25 balloons that read "Happy Birthday" hanging from the ceiling. "About damn time you emerged from your bedroom. Do you know how long I have been standing out here holding these damn balloons?"
Olivia laughed. "Thank you, bestie" she said running over to Abby and hugging her. "This is all for me" she said looking at the breakfast that her friend had cooked.
"We have about three hours to kill before we need to head to the airport, so I figured a birthday breakfast was the best way to start the day."
"I agree" Olivia said with a smile. Olivia and Abby had been friends since college. They were roommates and decided to stay that way when they graduated. Abby and Olivia sat and began eating breakfast.
"Here is your birthday gift." Abby said handing Olivia a pink gift bag. Olivia looked in the bag and pulled out a t-shirt that read "Birthday Girl" on the front and "I'm 25 today, kiss me," on the back. Olivia chuckled.
"Abby thanks for the shirt," she said.
"You have to wear it today. We all have shirts," she said. Abby opened her robe revealing her shirt that read "Birthday Squad."
"To cute" Olivia said stuffing her mouth with eggs.
"Ok fine, I'll wear it. But if random people start asking to kiss me I'm taking it off" she said sipping her tea.
"I spent money on these shirts, you're wearing it all day." Abby said cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. Olivia and Abby cleaned up the kitchen together. Checked the apartment to see if they needed anything else for the trip. Abby used her phone to call an Uber to drive them to the airport. When they arrived at the airport they checked their bags and headed to the gate. Olivia saw the rest of her friends waiting for her when they arrived at the gate.
"Happy Birthday Liv." Quinn said.
Olivia hugged her. "Thank you." She said
"Happy birthday Liv. We cute" Makayla said looking at her friends and pointing to their shirts.
"This weekend is going to be filled with drinks, partying, and more drinks." Abby said laughing.
"I hope we can find some hot guys on the strip, so we can add a little testosterone to this group." Makayla said.
"And maybe…just maybe Olivia will lose her virginity to some handsome guy and fall madly in love with him." Abby said laughing.
"Shut up Abby" Olivia said. "I am not losing my virginity in Vegas to some total stranger."
"You know what they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Abby said.
"We want you to have fun this weekend. Please don't think about Edison." Makayla chimed in.
"He is not on my mind and I don't plan on thinking about him" Olivia said getting up from her seat. "I'm going to get some snacks for the plane does anyone want anything?"
"A Snickers and some barbeque chips." Makayla shouted out.
"Gum any kind" Abby said.
"I'm good" Quinn said eating her granola bar.
Olivia walked toward the store that sold snacks, magazines and food. She gathered up the items in her hands and headed to the register. She was reaching for the Snickers at the register when she heard "Happy Birthday" from someone behind her. The voice wasn't familiar to her but damn did it sound sexy.
She placed the items on the counter and turned and looked. Her brown eyes met his deep blue eyes. She couldn't turn away. "Miss are you buying these items" she heard the cashier say as she was snapped out of her trance.
"Oh yes, my bad" she said, reaching in her purse for her wallet.
"Here you go" he said handing the cashier his credit card. The cashier began to bag the items.
"That isn't necessary, I have money." she said pulling out money from her purse, trying to hand it to him.
"You can keep your money, think of it as a birthday present" he said.
"Ok, I don't turn down gifts" she said. She was intrigued by him. He was very handsome. She couldn't help but to look him up and down as she waited for him to pay for his items. "How did you know it was my birthday?" she asked
He pointed to her shirt.
"Oh yeah! I forgot about it." They started walking back toward the gate. "Thank you again for buying the snacks." she said.
"My random act of kindness for the day" he said. He opened the bottle of water he was holding and licked his lips before taking a sip. Olivia wished she was the bottle of water. The way his lips folded around the bottle and his tongue glided over his lips after he finished drinking made Olivia slightly weak in the knees.
"Birthday trip?" he asked.
"Yeah, with my friends" she said pointing to them sitting by the gate.
"Liv we are about to board." She heard Abby yell in her direction.
"Enjoy the rest of your birthday, it was nice meeting you." he said heading to his seat.
Was he going to Las Vegas she thought? He was sitting in the same gate area. Her attraction to him was strong and she didn't even know him. He had unruly brown curls that were cut low. He wore a blue polo shirt that matched his eyes with khakis.
"Who was that tall drink of water?" Abby asked when Olivia approached them.
"I met him at the store," she said handing them the snacks. "He paid for all of this" she said.
"Get the fuck out of here" Makayla said. "Yup, he said it was a birthday gift. He looked at my shirt."
"Did you at least get his number?" Abby asked.
"No, I was a little surprised he paid for the snacks." She said.
"He is sitting in our section so he might be heading to Las Vegas." Quinn said.
The airline began boarding the plane starting with first class. Olivia saw him stand up with some other guys. He looked her way and smiled.
"Girl he is checking you out" Makayla said.
"He is on our flight and in first class" Olivia said to Makayla, nudging her on the arm. Olivia threw her purse over her shoulder and stood in line to board the plane. She passed him in first class as she walked down the aisle to her seat.
"Hi" he said as she passed by.
"Hi" she said staring into his blue eyes. The way he looked at her made her heart flutter.
"Ummmm can you keep it moving Liv" Abby said pinching her side.
"Owwww Abby" she squealed walking to her seat. Her seat was next to Abby. Olivia hoped she would be able to take a nap and Abby would not talk her head off. Quinn and Makayla were sitting across from them. The flight seemed quick.
"Welcome to Las Vegas. The temperature today is a whopping 101 degrees. Enjoy your stay" the pilot said over the speaker.
"Las Vegas here we come" Abby said nudging Olivia to wake up from her nap. "Here's some gum, brush your hair and add some gloss to your lips" Abby instructed Olivia. Olivia found her purse and fixed her hair. She added a light pink lipstick to her lips. "Better" she said looking over at Abby.
"Let's paint this town red birthday girl." Abby said getting up from her seat.
Olivia and her friends walked off the plane. "Oh, shit Liv, look who is waiting for you." Abby said walking behind her.
Olivia smiled when she saw Fitz.
"Hi beautiful" he said
"Hi again. I didn't get your name at the store." Olivia said moving out of the way of the other passengers.
"It's Fitzgerald, but I prefer Fitz." He responded. "And you are?"
"Olivia" she said.
He wasn't waiting alone. "These are my friends Huck, Stephen and Marcus." He said introducing his friends.
"Nice to meet you." Olivia said waving to his friends. "These are my friends Makayla, Abby, and Quinn." They waved to his friends and started walking toward baggage claim. Her friends had started talking to his friends. This was going to be an interesting trip she thought.
"How was it sitting in first class?" Olivia asked as they were walking.
"It was very nice. I like flying first class. We're celebrating our big job promotions, so we figured we might as well splurge on everything from start to finish."
"Wow that's exciting. What do you do?" she asked.
"I'm a lawyer and I just made partner at the firm."
"Impressive, congrats!"
"Thanks" he said. "What do you do during the day?"
"I'm a kindergarten teacher."
"Now that is amazing work, teaching five-year old's all day." He said with a chuckle.
"It's not so bad."
They both smiled.
They reached baggage claim and everyone reached for their bag. "Grant lets go" he heard Marcus yell.
"I've been summoned," he said lifting his bag over his shoulder. "Do you need any help?" He asked looking at Olivia's pink suitcase.
"No, I can manage," she said wheeling it toward her friends.
"Maybe I'll see you in Vegas." He leaned down toward her cheek and kissed it. "Enjoy your birthday," he said before walking off.
Olivia didn't pull back. She didn't flinch when he leaned in for the kiss. He was a total stranger and she felt comfortable talking to him and letting him kiss her on the cheek. "I have to get rid of this shirt" she thought. She reached her friends who were getting the information for the rental car.
"Did you get his number this time?" Abby asked as Olivia approached the counter.
"No." Olivia stated.
"It's a good thing I got his friend Stephen's number" Abby said high fiving Makayla.
"Liv he was sexy as hell and we could at least hang out with him and his friends for one night" Makayla said.
"Damn right" Abby said getting into the rental car. "I'm getting me some dick while I'm here."
Olivia, Makayla and Quinn busted out laughing.
"At least she's honest" Makayla said.
They valet parked the car at the hotel. "Wow Abby this is a nice hotel." Olivia said as they walked into the grand foyer of the Venetian Hotel.
"Nothing is too good for my bestie." She said smiling at Olivia.
Olivia looked to her right as they entered the hotel, she noticed Fitz right away checking in with his friends.
"I spy with my little eye a handsome man from the airport." Quinn said nudging Olivia.
"What are the odds, they are staying here?" Olivia whispered to Quinn.
"It appears the odds are in your favor" she said laughing. Olivia stood in the check-in line with her friends and watched as he ran his hand through his brown curls and put it in his pocket. Give me strength she whispered to herself. She was drawn to him. Everything he was doing seemed to turn her on. She couldn't keep her eyes off of him. Abby pulled out her credit card and handed it to the hotel attendant.
"Liv everything is taken care of for this weekend. You always make our birthdays special, so we are doing it big for you." Abby said.
"Don't even think about pulling out any money." Makayla said.
"Not a problem" Olivia said not really listening to them. She was looking in his direction as he slung his duffle bag over his shoulder.
"Liv did you hear me?" Abby asked looking at her. "Ohhhhh shit," Abby said as she glanced in the direction Olivia was looking. "They are staying here, in this hotel. This trip is going to be one for the books."
"Look at Liv" Quinn said to Makayla.
"Earth to Liv" Makayla said snapping her fingers in front of Olivia's face. Olivia swatted Makayla's hands out of her face.
They started walking toward Fitz and his friends.
"Looks like your luck has come around" Abby said, stopping in front of Stephen while he talked to another woman. "Excuse me" Abby said standing in front of the woman, turning toward Stephen. "I could use a little help she said pointing to her suitcase."
"Red your feisty and I like it," he said putting his hand on her suitcase handle. "I'll see you around." He told the other woman he was speaking to.
"You won't!" Abby interjected.
"Come on Red" he said wheeling her suitcase.
"We meet again" Fitz said taking Olivia's suitcase handle and starting to wheel it toward the elevator.
"Are you staying here?" she asked.
"I am" he said. The elevator dinged and they walked inside.
"Press 12" Abby shouted. Fitz reached around Olivia and pressed the button. The elevator dinged to let them know they had arrived to the floor. They exited the elevator and walked toward the room "Here it is" Abby said stopping in front of the room door.
"Red what's the plans for tonight" Stephen asked.
"Stephen…we have plans for the birthday girl right now. I'll text you when we're available."
"From the looks of it the birthday girl is making her own plans." Stephen said pointing to Olivia and Fitz.
Abby looked and it appeared Fitz and Olivia were putting each other's phone numbers in their phone. "Ladies let's get this party started" Abby said. Gentlemen we'll be in touch."
"Hopefully, I'll see you later Olivia." Fitz said.
"Nice meeting you Makayla." Marcus said kissing Makayla's hand.
"I'll text you." Huck said to Quinn.
They opened the door to the room and entered throwing their purses on the bed.
"Wow you spared no expense Abby." Olivia said.
"First we are headed to the pool, there is a DJ and a swim up bar." Abby informed them plopping on the bed. "We have reservations for dinner at 8. That's it on my end. Where you sleep tonight is on you." She giggled kicking her legs up in the air.
"Abby you're a mess. Let's get changed" Olivia said. She opened her suitcase searching for her bathing suit. She found her white two-piece bathing suit and slipped it on. She placed her white cover up over it and slipped into her flip flops. She couldn't stop thinking about Fitz. She wanted to see him again and spend more time with him. Abby had her entire weekend planned so that wasn't going to be possible. She threw her sunscreen and sunglasses in her bag.
It was hot in Vegas. As soon as she walked outside from the hotel toward the pool, Olivia's curls tightened from a combination of the humidity and her sweat. Olivia immediately reached in her bag and put on her sunglasses.
"Fuck its hot "Abby said.
All eyes were on them as they made their way to the pool bar.
"I rented a cabana. Go and look for our name Quinn." Abby instructed. Abby ordered 4 Long Island Iced Teas and 4 shots of Patron. Olivia side eyed her. She wasn't a big drinker and when she did drink, she had a glass of red wine. "What" Abby said with a smirk. Olivia grabbed the shot glasses, while Abby and Makayla grabbed the other glasses.
"This is very nice Abs" Olivia said walking into the cabana.
Makayla and Abby sat the drinks on the small table that was next to the lounge chairs. "Let's get this party started" Abby said lifting her shot glass. Olivia, Quinn, and Makayla picked up their shot glass at the same time.
"Happy Birthday Liv. May your birthday be filled with lots of drinks, laughter, and fun" Makayla said.
"Happy Birthday Liv" Quinn chimed.
"Happy Birthday bestie. I hope you enjoy this weekend. Have lots of drinks on me and definitely get with that fine ass man. He looks like he has a nice package waiting for you." Abby said with a wink.
"Thank you, ladies." Olivia said. They lifted their shot glasses in the air for a toast and guzzled down the liquid.
"Damn" Quinn said placing her glass on the table.
"We need food immediately" Olivia said picking up the menu and ordering all of the appetizers on the menu.
"Let's mingle around the pool." Makayla suggested.
They walked around the pool and found a nice spot to sit and put their feet in the water. Olivia tossed them her sunscreen and reminded them to lather up. She had already put on loads of sunscreen in the hotel room and started adding more. "Are we getting in the pool or are we just going to sit and look pretty?" Olivia asked her friends. It was hot and her skin was starting to burn a little.
"Sit and look pretty" Makayla said.
"I'm getting in" Olivia said and jumped in the pool.
"Did she just jump in the water like she was five years old?" Abby asked. Quinn and Makayla laughed.
"Liv, you can't just jump in the water like your trying out for the Olympics" Abby said. "There is an art to looking cute by the pool and getting in the water. Let me show you." Abby ran her fingers through her long red hair. She slowly slid into the pool off the side. "Now that's how you look cute getting into the pool."
"Abby I was on the swim team in high school remember? There is no cute way to get into the pool. Bye ladies." Olivia said swimming off. She swam for a long time. Up and down the pool not worrying about who was watching or if she was looking cute as Abby called it. She was relaxed in the pool. She loved swimming. She wasn't able to swim often, due to her schedule. The water was where she felt most peaceful. She decided she needed a break. When she finally came up for air and reached the edge of the pool, she looked up and there was a figure blocking the sun.
"Hey Olivia" Fitz said. He was wearing navy blue swim trunks without a shirt.
She traced every muscle with her eyes from the top of his chest down to the lowest part of the waistband on his shorts. Her eyes slowly kept looking downward. "Oh damn" Olivia whispered.
He scooted down to sit on the edge of the pool, placing his legs in the water. "Having fun?" he asked.
Olivia had to put her hand up to shield the sun so she could see his face. His eyes matched the color of the water. "Yes, I'm having fun. What about you?"
"Now I am" he said with a smile "You're a natural in the water."
"You were watching me?" she asked.
"We just got here and I saw your friend with the red hair and she pointed me in your direction."
"I was just about to get out and dry off. We have a cabana over there if you want to join me." He watched as she swam to the steps and walked out of the pool. She was beautiful. She squeezed her hair a little, releasing some of the water. She had a petite frame with curves in all of the right places. He was attracted to her. His eyes watched her every move. "Fitz" she called knocking him out of his trance. "You coming?" she asked. They walked toward the cabana and could hear laughter on the inside. Everyone looked up when they entered.
"How was the pool Olivia?" Makayla asked smiling at her and Fitz.
"It was fine." Olivia grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her waist. Olivia sat at the bottom of one of the lounge chairs sipping on her drink. Fitz joined her. They talked the entire time while in the cabana. They had blocked everyone else out. Olivia felt comfortable talking to him. She was distracted at times glancing at his chiseled chest and abs. He was definitely good to look at. Abby interrupted their conversation, reminding Olivia they had dinner plans and needed to start getting ready.
"I'll see you around Liv," he said watching as she picked up her bag. She smiled and waved to him as she began walking away with her friends.
Olivia was enjoying dinner. She was laughing and having a good time with her friends. They hardly had time like this to spend with each other. They had different careers and life didn't lend them the time they needed to just hang out. Olivia was a teacher. Abby was a lawyer and trying to make partner at her law firm. Makayla was a journalist at a local paper. Quinn was a mechanic at a local shop. They were very different, but loved each other dearly. Abby had chosen a very elegant restaurant named The Cut to celebrate Olivia's birthday. They were all wearing black dresses. A prerequisite Abby gave before going on the trip. Quinn was the only one who objected in the beginning because she hated wearing dresses, but she eventually obliged for Olivia.
Olivia held up her glass of red wine and made a toast to her friends. "Thank you, ladies for being here and celebrating my birthday. I'm so glad we are friends. I couldn't ask for a better group of women in my life."
"Cheers" they said in unison. The food came and they stuffed themselves until they couldn't eat anymore. Abby asked the waiter for the check. She was ready to get started on their next event for the evening.
The waiter stopped at the table. "Is there someone here named Olivia?" he asked.
"Yes, that's me" Olivia said looking confused.
"This is for you" he said handing her an envelope.
Olivia opened the envelope. It was a card. The front of the card said "Happy Birthday." On the inside it read.
Dinner is on me. Happy Birthday Olivia.
Come find me before your birthday ends.
Fitz
She looked up at her friends with her hand over her mouth. "It's from Fitz" she said holding the card up for them to see.
"He paid for dinner?" Abby asked in amazement.
"Abby I can't let him pay for dinner. I don't even know him." Olivia said. She called the waiter to the table. "We insist on paying for dinner."
"Liv we are not paying for dinner." Quinn stated and moved her chair back to leave.
"Live a little, Olivia." Makayla said starting to get up as well.
"We've already charged his card." The waiter said.
"Ok. Thank you" she said to the waiter, pushing her chair back and getting up from the table. Her friends did not care that some stranger paid for dinner. They were happily walking through the hotel, while she was still in shock about what just happened.