Olivia manages to ward off her innate desire to close the door in Jake's face, out of pure annoyance. Instead, she puts on a fake smile and welcomes him inside. As he passes by, she feels an air of distrust rumbling in her gut. Clearly something isn't right here. And she is chomping at the bit to find out what's going on.
After closing the door behind them, quickly she gathers her thoughts. When she turns to face him, she sees him placing the case of beer he brought on the dining room table.
He's standing with his back to her, and at first glance his attire catches her eye. She wonders, who the hell wears casual tie ups, a button up and khakis to a pool or cookout themed party?
With her thoughts settling, she hears him say, "Wow this is a really nice place, and an awesome crowd turnout. You all know how to throw a day party." She smiles as she replies, "Thanks. I didn't realize you've never been here before. It really is a great place to throw a party; it's the only condo that has exclusive access to the pool via private gate access out back. There's even a pool house with a store inside, where one can purchase pool ready attire if need be." He catches her comment, and smiles as he says, "Is that your way of saying you want to see me in trunks, with my shirt off?" Quickly, she replies, "No its not." He feels the awkwardness rising, and tries to laugh it off, as he responds, "Okay. Perhaps I am a tad bit overdressed." She smiles as she replies, "A tad huh? I guess you can go with that assessment."
He takes her pot shot with a grain of salt, but lets her know he hears her, as he quips "Aren't you the jokester all of a sudden? Two in a row, in fact. Have you been training with Harry on comedic material?"
She smiles, knowing he is feeling the burn from her comments as she says, "Nope, my material is all original, thank you very much. I have many talents, and being a smartass is a part of the lure of my charm."
He has to laugh at her honest comeback, he forgot how smooth her quick wit is. And, how it used to really chaps Eddie's ass, that she is such a spit fire, when her remarks come at his expense. She sees him thinking, and wonders what it could be about. Yet she still continues talking as she says, "I am glad you like our place. The layout is awesome, and the main reason Abby and I chose it initially."
He snaps out of his head as he catches her reply, while he looks around, thinking Mellie told him she and Liv found this place, and Abby was an add on, as a regrettable favor. Interesting he thinks, how they have such different perspectives on how they all came to live together. Regardless, one thing is for sure; it appears Olivia and Abby are friends, and Mellie is actually the throw-in, despite Mellie and Olivia knowing each other longer.
His inner monologue then quiets as he says, "Yeah I see why you were taken with this place. This is a sweet setup in general, not just parties." She agrees and then hears him excitedly ask, "Wait! Is that Ally from Club Ice spinning?"
She grins as she responds, "Yes it is! The one and only!" He bobs his head to the music as he replies, "I see why this party is blowing up on social media. She's killing it."
Seeing he's rather engrossed in the atmosphere. She takes an opportunistic leap to ask what she really wants to know, as she agreeably replies, "Yup she is, as always. So, I have to ask, other than Mel's invite, is that what lured you over to this side of town?"
He quickly responds, "Actually no. If I hadn't run into Mellie this morning in my building, and helped her find her car; I would've really missed out on this. I was supposed to go hang out with Rob and Ne-Ne, and some others, to watch the game. Man, she's jamming." She processes his response and thinks, nobody changes plans last minute for no good reason. And more importantly, she wonders when did he manage to run into Mellie? so she asks, "Around what time did you run into her?" He looks at her as he replies, "Uhm, around 2 or 3 why?"
She thinks to herself, that's why she sent at least one of her calls to voicemail; she was chatting with him. And only God knows what she's told him. Instantly, her mind shifts, and she thinks about her admission to dating someone during her break up with Eddie, the comments she's made about their relationship in general around her, and then she remembers how aggravated she was when they both met Jake and Eddie at that mixer at the same time. But both of them were more into her, and not Mellie. She wants to laugh, recalling her obvious jealousy. And she now knows inviting him was definitely more so a dig at her from her perspective. But, that doesn't quite reveal his motivation for coming.
Breaking from her thoughts, and looking to set a trap for him to gain more intel, she responds, "Just wondering, I hadn't heard from her today, and wasn't sure where she was. So it's good to know she's okay. Or at least she was okay while with you. Did she mention anything to you about where she was going, or what was going on?"
She's hoping he answers her. And just as she hoped, he spills the beans as he replies, "She didn't say anything about where she was going; but, she was very upset and she was having a pretty rough time when I saw her. So, it makes sense she'd be avoiding contact with you for a minute. No offense." She responds, "None taken. I get your point." He nods as he says, "Anyway, when I left her she was in much better spirits. So, I'm sure it will work out. Friends argue. It happens more often than not."
Now knowing she told him something about the disagreement, but not getting to the details of exactly what she said to him. Her curiosity intensifies regarding his motives behind his presence. But, before she can follow up on her question to find out more about their conversation, she hears someone yell, "Jake is that you?"
They both look up and see Brandon, as he approaches in full grin and clearly at least 4 beers into his drinking rotation. When he reaches them, Jake greets him with a half hug, as he replies, "Damn dude, I haven't seen you in months. What's up?"
Brandon grins as he replies "Right. It's been a while. I haven't been up to too much. Just enjoying life. My internship at Parker and Winston Advertising is going great! I'm so glad I decided to do it this summer. How about you? I heard you were at The Chronicle. Is that still working out? I heard it's pretty tough over there."
This piques Olivia's interest as she hears him initially pause, then reply, "Yeah. It's been an amazing ride man. A true dream assignment." Olivia quickly chimes in, "Glad to hear it. What articles have you published so far? I'd love to check them out." Brandon agrees as he replies, "Yeah man. Send me the publication dates your work is featured in, and I'll check it out too."
She sees the uneasiness rising in him, like a sink filling with water. But he manages to say, "Uh, sure, I'll send the info to both of you; I don't have the details right now. I try to separate business and pleasure. So I don't have that info on me, gotta take a break from it sometimes, you know?"
She wants to burst out into laughter at his bullshit excuse, but let's it go. As even Brandon, who is clearly buzzed, is also having trouble understanding why he doesn't know when his work was published. No journalist forgets their publication record, it's their badge of honor. And the source of their bragging rights.
However, to his delight the music saves him again, because before either of them can inquire further. They all listen as Ally rallies the crowd, saying, "All Right party people! I need to know who's got time?" The crowd screams, knowing the question is the lead into Chris Brown's and Young Thug's new track, I Got Time."
And as the song begins to play, Brandon then says, "This has got to be the party of the summer so far Liv. She's killing it on the ones and twos, and her playlist is fire!"
She nods in agreement, as she replies, "Agreed." With them all feeling the beat to the track, they take in the music for a moment. Then Brandon notices the beer on the table, and says, "Hey I'm going to head back out to the party. Did you want me to take the beer for you?"
He teases as he replies, "As long as you promise not to keep it all for yourself." They all share a laugh as he hands it over to Brandon. And he responds, "I can promise you at least 3 of these will be kept for safekeeping in my belly, and the rest distributed to everyone else. How's that?"
Jake nods as he responds, "That's cool man: I will check in with you in a minute." Olivia interjects, "Maybe you should head out with him and enjoy the party. I really need to get back to hosting." He's reluctant at first, he's not done talking with her. But, the doorbell rings and Olivia says, "Oh boy. Sorry, a hostess' job is never done. Go have fun. Enjoy yourself." Brandon adds, "She's right man. Come on. I got you."
He sees their moment has passed, and he agrees to follow Brandon outside, Grateful he acquiesces, She rushes off to the door, to let more people in, and she leads them out to the back yard.
When she steps outside she sees everyone having a good time. Fitz and the guys are laughing and talking, and she spies Abby and Stacy laughing it up with their neighbors Lauren and Krista. It's great to see everyone enjoying themselves.
Deciding to grab herself a drink, she heads for the punch table, and she gets a drink and a plate of food. As she takes a few bits of her burger, and sips some punch, while dancing to the music. She sees Fitz looking at her, and he smiles her way. She smiles in return, as she thinks, damn he looks good.
Her fantasy of what she wants to do and more with him later shifts, when she notices Jake talking to Brandon, and a few others in the opposite corner of the yard. It's obvious Fitz hasn't seen him yet, otherwise she's confident he'd be in his face with a lot of questions. Given their conversation this morning, when he asked for her number. She thinks to herself, that's a powder keg waiting to blow for sure.
Nonetheless, she continues to eat as she watches Jake. And just as she thought a moment ago, he sticks out like a sore thumb in his get up. Out of the blue she smiles as she thinks of a State Farm commercial. The thought keeps her entertained to the point where she turns to grab another sip of punch, and she doesn't see him walk up to her.
She jumps when he's right in front of her, and he says, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She shakes it off as she replies, "It's cool. Uhm, done having fun already?" He smiles as he responds, "No. I just wanted to let you know that I wasn't exactly truthful with you earlier, when I said I came here because of Mellie's invitation."
Intrigued, she asks, "Really? Why else would you come here if not for the party?" He replies, "Because I wanted to check up on you after your break up with Eddie. I know it must have been hard on you, with you two being together so long, and engaged to be married. Yet, he's already hooked with another woman, I believe someone you know right?"
He's now closer to her, and is touching her arm, as if to console her in some way, despite the effort being unwarranted and unwanted. Hearing his response confirms her suspicions about his motives, as well as about his conversation with Mellie. Instantly, she feels herself getting irritated, as she considers what this is all about. But, she manages to maintain her cool as she sees Fitz head toward them.
She's grateful Drew stops him; and seeing that he's underwraps at least for the moment, she turns to handle Jake as only she can. Squarely looking him in the eye she says, "Look Jake, I am going to say this slowly, and clearly, so listen up, okay?"
Her tone is strong and definite, and cannot be misconstrued on any level. The fire in her eyes is roaring, and he swallows hard, seeing he has certainly provoked a reaction in her he didn't expect.
And, before he can say anything to try to slow down the runaway train that is headed directly for him, he hears, "I don't know what you think you know about my relationship ending, or the details of it in general. But, I can assure you that both Eddie and I are just fine. And, we wish each other the best in life and love, even if that means we are no longer a part of each other's lives in a romantic capacity. So, regardless of what you've heard, or where you've heard it, I am not in need of saving or in need of a companion for a pity party. Life is good over here my friends, and I'm living my best life and then some. Got it?"
As he listens to her response, he notices her confidence and strength, which is very attractive. But he also recalls the ending line of her response is from her recently released public statement pertaining to the break-up.
He thinks to himself, either she sniffed out his trap, or she actually wrote her own statement. Therefore her response was genuine then, as it is now.
Regardless, he finds himself stumped; he cannot for the life of him figure out if she is playing him or not. But he airs on the side of caution, of assuming she's not being honest. And feels compelled to apologize for his misstep, in offending or upsetting her.
As he attempts to close the space between them; she halts his movement with her hand up, and he respects her wish, as he outwardly replies, "Liv, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to overstep."
She doesn't believe him, but it doesn't matter. She sighs as she replies, "I'm sure you didn't Jake. But, you did. And it is what it is. There's no way of taking that back." He feels nervous about the potential outcome from his actions, as he responds, "Liv, I really am sorry." She wants to slap him across the face for being so damn annoying, but she responds, "I don't doubt you are. Just do me a favor and give me some space. Have a drink and some food, maybe that will mellow you out." He agrees to grant her wish, and he's thankful she didn't boot him, as he replies, "Okay. See you around." Before she can reply or change her mind; he walks away and she takes another sip of her punch to relax her nerves.
He's barely five feet away from her before Abby and Stacy are standing next to her. She looks at Abby and she says, "Girl, that looked intense. Are you okay?" She nods as she replies, "Yeah. I'm good. I just had to set him straight." Stacy smiles as she responds, "I'd say mission accomplished lady. Because damn, I felt your emotion from across the yard. And I couldn't hear a word you were saying."
She smiles at her as she replies, "Stacy you are a fool." They all smile together as Abby says, "But is she wrong though? Did you or did you not read his Jake from Statefarm, damn near unemployed ass?"
She grins as she loves the humor of her friends, and responds, "Oh my God, get out of my head. I was thinking the same thing when I saw his outfit." They crack up together and her mood is 100% improved within seconds. She needed this, to relieve some of her stress.