CHAPTER 52
While her parents were revelling in each other's company, Olivia received yet another visitor after the family said goodbye to her.
'Hello, Tamara.' Olivia sat up in bed, glad to see her best friend.
Tamara Carver was the daughter of Abe's younger brother; born not long after Jonah was sent to prison for vigilante activities. His girlfriend Sondra had put her up for adoption so Abe and Lexie had taken her in. Because of her uncle and aunt's on and off and on again relationship over the years, Tamara's childhood was rather turbulent, causing her to develop a no nonsense attitude towards life and early maturity to Abe's chagrin. Sassy, blunt and a year older, she was a perfect foil to Olivia with whom she became fast friends after meeting her at school. The teachers and other students at Salem High on the other hand found them the very odd couple; Olivia tall and statuesque, the main reason why she looked older than her age while Tamara was petite with the grace of a ballerina.
'Hey girl.' The two young women exchanged hugs. 'Jeez ... I can count every bone under your robe. How do you feel?'
'Much better. How've been things?'
Tamara shrugged, tucking a long braid behind her ear. 'Same ole', same ole'. You haven't missed much.' She placed a paper bag filled with Galaxy bars on the nightstand already covered with Get Well presents and flowers the family had brought. 'Lexie told me what happened last night. You okay?'
Olivia nodded, her face clouding over as she remembered the two men who had saved her.
Tamara saw the look immediately. 'What's wrong?'
Olivia didn't mince words, knowing too well Tamara had no patience with people who did that; neither did she. Her friend sat back and listened silently as she poured out her heart.
'I thought I knew myself quite well, now I'm not so sure.' Olivia added. 'All of a sudden I feel like the proverbial confused teenager who doesn't know what she wants and it really makes me cross.'
Tamara shook her head. 'You have to reach this phase of your life some time Olivia, no matter what. '
'I realise that. But right now, I don't know what's worse; that I have feelings for two men or that one of them is EJ DiMera.' Olivia sighed, picking at the woollen fur of the panda he'd brought her. 'And even worse, I don't know what they are, or if they are real or not. Damn it!' she spat angrily. 'Is a little relative peace too much to ask? After what happened to me and Ma; I'd thought I'd be free from more drama.'
Tamara snorted derisively. 'Girl, weirder things have happened in this town for years; before you and I ever existed. Our generation's just paying the price for the last generation's mistakes.'
'Mmm... My great-aunt falling in love with the very wrong man.' Olivia muttered. She'd heard the whole tragic story of Colleen Brady and Santo DiMera from Caroline and Shawn Douglas.
'EJ's got some nerve sniffing after you like this, I never figured him for a cradle-snatcher. Not I blame him much, you looking like the Playmate of the Year.'
Not being vain, Olivia was unamused by the compliment. 'This isn't funny. I'm in a real pickle here.'
'What exactly is the problem? You don't know what you feel for both guys or you don't know who you really want?'
'Both. I'm so confused right now. There's Nathan who is so wonderful but then there's EJ who's just too...charismatic.'
'Did you feel that way about him before you heard his whole story?'
'Yes. And Nathan and I got rather close when he lost Mickey but Hope and I had an altercation at the wake.'
'What happened?'
Olivia told her and Tamara whistled in surprise and admiration.
'She sure got off easy; personally I would've opened up a can of whoop ass! But why did you let that come between you and Nathan?'
Olivia shrugged. 'It just seemed so awkward being with a guy whose family hate my Mum... though I know Alice Horton doesn't.'
'Mrs Horton's a great lady, "hate" isn't in her dictionary.' Tamara assured her. 'Hope brought all her problems on herself; she had no call talking to your Mum like that. Not that Lexie would admit it, she and Hope are pretty tight.'
'Well whatever,' Olivia shrugged again. 'What the hell am I going to do about my present situation?'
'I don't see what there is to do in EJ's case. The age difference isn't even the point, you know you can't be with a DiMera with what's still going on between your families, Stefano's a career criminal and there's way too much history between EJ and Sami.'
'What the hell was she thinking getting involved with him in the first place?'
'To be fair, when EJ first came to town no one knew he was a DiMera; his name was Wells then.'
Olivia snorted in disgust. He was just like Lawrence. On the other hand, the look in his eyes had been so sincere. I'm not that man anymore Olivia, I swear! He'd insisted.
'I'll just have to process my feelings about Nathan then and stay away from EJ as best as I can.'
'Now, you're talking.' Tamara rubbed her shoulder. 'If that doesn't get him out of your system, nothing will.'
For my sake, I certainly hope so Olivia thought to herself, remembering the pained look on EJ's face when he'd left.
'You also need to concentrate on getting back on your feet; we've really missed you over there, especially me.' Tamara added.
Olivia smiled. 'I know what I'll be doing when I get out of here. Actually, it's going to help me forget my catch-22 situation for a while and you're going to be a part of it.'
Tamara raised her eyebrows with interest. 'I'm game. What's the project?'
'Planning my parents' wedding.'
'Ah, right!' Tamara laughed enthusiastically, clapping her hands. 'Got any ideas on how's it going to be?'
'One very good idea and Dad and Ma don't even know it yet.' Olivia leaned forward conspiratorially. 'They're going to have a Mayan themed wedding.'
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Carly gently pulled back when Bo's kisses got too heated. 'I think we should quit before things get to the point of no return.'
'So?' Bo asked, arms still locked round Carly's waist. 'We've made love here before. And at that time your leg was broken.'
'And at that time, you were the one afraid someone might walk in.'
'No one did.'
'Only because you put a "Quarantine" sign outside my door, I doubt anyone's going to fall for that this time.'
Bo let out a growl of utter aggravation.
'I'll be home tomorrow and we'll be really alone then.' Carly soothed, stroking his cheek.
'Okay, okay...' Bo sighed, and then smiled at her. 'Would you be up to a little romance t?'
Carly smiled back. 'Yes... depending on what you have in mind.'
'The wheels are already turning in my mind, planning something special as my way of welcoming you home.'
'Mmm... I like the sound of that.' Carly kissed him. 'But I already know you well enough you're not going to give me a hint.'
Bo shook his head firmly. 'Not a chance.'
'Fair enough. Whatever it is I know I'll love it.' Carly regarded him thoughtfully as she raked her fingers through his hair.
'What's going through your mind, princess?'
'Just that everything we do or give each other always has some symbolism attached to it. Like this.' She raised her finger where the Claddagh engagement ring flashed. 'It's always been like that with us, no?'
'Well, we already know the reason for that, don't we?' Bo said, taking her hand and kissing it.
Carly nodded. 'We're so lucky.'
If only you knew the half of it, Bo thought, pulling her close in another heartfelt hug as he thought about the night's events and what he'd found out a few hours ago. Victor was going to pay for his part in the worst possible way. All that was needed was the right time and place.
