She laughs as she replies, "Really Abs? Shit a brick." They both laugh as she says, "Girl you know I'm not lying. She's not going to be happy. And we all know when she's not happy. Nobody is happy." Olivia sighs as she says, "Yeah. I'm well aware of that. We planned on telling her next week after her project. Fitz was going to come over and we'd tell her together." She nods as she asks, "And is that changing?" Olivia replies, "I think it will have to change given the email i got from the condo association about the break-ins."
Abby curiously asks, "Say what?" Olivia chuckles as she replies, "Sorry. Let me explain. We got an email from the condo association asking everybody to review their security footage for any criminal activity that may have been captured." Abby nods as she replies, "Oh, and you think its possible she'll go through ours and see Fitz on it from your late night creep." They share a laugh at her teasing remark and Olivia says, "For lack of a better way of putting it. yes. I just want to control how she finds out, that's all."
Abby responds, "While that sounds admirable Liv. First, regardless of how she finds out she's going to find a way to make it a big deal for no reason. And second, I don't think you have to worry about her looking at the video footage. I doubt if she ever signed up for a log in." Olivia relaxes as she replies, "Damn, i didn't realize that." Abby smiles as she says, "See, you're worried for nothing. But I'm glad you told me though. Thanks."
She smiles in response as she replies, "You're welcome. But how did you figure it out?" She grins as she says, "I honestly started suspecting it the night Mel and Fitz had their last date. You seemed more invested than normal in their situation, when they left. Then, there was interest in Mellie, assertion he had a girlfriend. But once you found out who it was, you seemed relieved. Likely because you already knew who she was. And lastly, just now when we were talking about how Mellie has been treating him; you were very upset and concerned. The way anybody would be if someone they cared for was experiencing something difficult."
She takes in her response and says, "Damn. That was some decent detective work." She giggles as she replies, "Well thanks lady. But, tell me. How are you feeling knowing she's over his house right now?" She sighs as she says, "I was upset at first. But, i'm pretty sure she's gone now. Because he called while i was on the phone wit Sara. But i didn't get a chance to call him back yet."
Looking at the time and realizing the time of day it is; she says, "Oh okay. How long ago did he call?" She looks at the time and says, "About a half hour ago." She replies, "Well maybe you should give him a call to find out what's going on. She hasn't made it back here yet. So she clearly wasn't opting to come back immediately. Especially since she has a duffel bag with her." She agrees as she says, "True. But we have to get the house ready for this party. Looks like we've got at least 40 rsvps." Abby nods as she replies, "No worries. I've got this. Go call him Liv." She smiles at her as she says, "Okay. Thanks Abs. You're the best." She grins as she replies, "I know. And don't you forget it."Olivia gets up and heads into her room to make a call to Fitz; while Abby takes care of party details.
When she dials his number, he picks up rather quickly as he says, "Hey beautiful." She replies, "Hey handsome. How are you?" He responds, "I'm good. Just thinking about you. Is everything okay?" She takes a breath as she says, "Thanks for thinking about me. And while everything is going to be okay. It definitely wasn't not long ago." He asks "What's up?" She replies, "Well, I went to talk to Mellie. But as you know she left and came to your house. While having invited a bunch of people over to the house, for a party. And she's not even here."
He replies, "Say what? When did that happen? How did that happen?" She explains, "She sent out invitations while they were out partying last night and a host of people rsvpd. She even bribed the condo chairperson, so she's on board with the party taking place without a permit. Likely that's because she was invited too." Fitz responds, "That's crazy. But not surprising given who we're talking about." She nods as she says, "Agreed. So upon dealing with that. I can't say that i wasn't worried about her being at your place."
He hears her concern, and says, "Its sweet of you to be concerned Liv. But, I'm good. Her not so much though." She replies, "Oh boy. What does that mean?" He sighs and then gives her blow by blow of what occurred. And at the end, she says, "Holy shit. That's insane even for her. And you don't know where she went?" He agrees as he replies, "Yeah. I know. But I don't care Liv. I'm done helping her clean up her mess. I don't know where she went when she left here. But if we're all lucky she ends up at a therapist's office."
Agreeing with his sentiment, she smiles as she replies, " Amen to that. Therapy would be a great intervention for her. But besides that, I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself. That's huge." He nods as he says, "I'm proud of myself too. It was a good moment. Its like i was seeing her differently for the first time, and i couldn't figure out how i managed to miss how manipulative she can be."
She nods as she says, "That's understandable. It sounds like it was a taxing moment, lots of emotion shared. How are you feeling now?" He sighs as he replies, I feel relieved. Like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Because it needed to be said. I can't be her stooge anymore. I'm over it. And to be honest, over her."
She grins as she listens to the confidence in his voice; no wavering. Just pure strong and measured speech. He notices how quiet she's being. And asks. "Are you okay?" She replies, "Yes. I'm good. Just happy for you. That's all." He responds, "Thanks babe. I appreciate that." Her cheeks warm as she realizes he called her babe. But, she doesn't address it. She lets it go, as she says, "You're welcome. Are you all ready to come to a party tonight instead of game night?"
He sighs as he says, "I'll check with everybody. But don't think we have much of a choice. As for me, I'll be anywhere that you are." She giggles as she replies, "Awe. That's sweet of you to say." He replies, "It's true. I like being wherever you are." Her heart skips a beat as she says, "I know. I feel the same way. Which makes me question how exactly we are going to navigate this evening, without being discovered before we tell everybody about us."
He disagrees as he replies, "That may have been a question before, when it was an intimate affair of game night, but now its a grand event. The more people being present will make it easier for us to be around each other incognito. So we will have other people to distract us from staring at each other all night."
She grins as she says, "True. I guess it kind of works out then huh?" He nods as he responds, "Yeah. So maybe Mellie's attempt to inconvenience everyone else, will actually work out to benefit someone else for a change." Agreeably she replies, "Yes indeed. But hey. I'll take it. Oh, that reminds me, Abby knows about us.'
He asks, "How'd that happen? Were you so over joyed about our night; you spilled the beans?" She laughs as she replies, "Well damn, aren't we just a little cocky right now?" He laughs as he replies, "Maybe a little. But I digress. Go ahead. I'll let you tell me the story."
She shakes her head as she smiles as she says, "Uhuh, anyway. She actually asked me outright and I decided to be honest. She said she'd suspected we were together for a while. But, given how upset i was when i found out Mellie was at your house. I think my emotion may have given it away."
He smiles as he teasingly replies, "Damn, I put it down huh? She cracks up as she takes his joke in stride, as she says, "You know what. I can't with you right now. You're entirely too much." He enjoys making her laugh and then says, "You know I'm just kidding. It's cute that you were worried about me. I appreciate your concern, you know that right?"
She smiles as she replies, "Yes. I do. I just got so angry because I don't like that she plays you. You deserve so much better." In her head, she's wondering whether she should tell him about Mellie dating Nick; she'd decided previously to let Mellie tell him. But, that was before they shared their feelings for each other, and she doesn't want him to be blindsided with this news.
Suddenly, she snaps out of her head as he smiles and says, "I agree. I deserver better. You are my better. My much much better." His reply warms her all over. She's never felt like this before this moment with any guy. But she keeps it playful as she says, "Someone is pouring it on pretty thick today."
He responds, "Hmm, is it working?" She sweetly responds, "You'll find out tonight." He nods as he says, "Shit, with that sexy innuendo; I like my chances." They share a laugh, and as it settles he replies, "Seriously Liv. I don't want you to worry about telling Mellie. She'll find out about us when it's time for her to find out. I know we wanted to control the environment; but it's looking more unlikely for that to happen now."
She understands his point, and says, "I hate when you read my mind." He replies, "No you don't. You like it when i do it." She smiles as she flirtatiously says, "Yeah. I like that, and few other things you do." He replies, "HMM, do tell." She laughs as she responds, "I can show you better than I can tell you." He sweetly says, "MMMM and i can't wait for it, sweet baby." She chuckles, but says, "You are doing too much man. I am getting off this phone so i can go help Abby set up for this party." He replies, "Okay. I will see you soon." She responds, "Counting on it. Bye." He replies, "Bye."
Hanging up the phone, so much is on her mind. Should she talk to him about Nick? Should she really let go of controlling how they tell Mellie about their relationship? And where the hell is she anyway? All this and more will be addressed in the next installment of Between Friends.
I hope you all enjoyed this installment. There will be another update next Sunday for this story. It's already in the works. Thanks again for your support. Feel free to let me know your thoughts on how this story is going. And as always, Happy reading.