Fitz shakes his head as he replies, "That's strange as hell." Drew shrugs his shoulders as he says, "Yup. That's Mel for you. She's petty bro. So, I'd say tread lightly and expect her to be who she is when you tell her about you and Liv."
He takes his friend's advice under advisement and they head up to their condo. With the game starting in a few minutes, they know everybody will be texting or calling soon asking for the food. Regardless, Fitz knows he has allot to think about. Suddenly, he realizes talking to Mellie may be more complicated than he initially thought.
Its 7:30 and Olivia is walking through the door of her condo. She's armed with her shopping proceeds from earlier, and food for herself and her roommates. Additionally, she's also ready to make nice with Abby.
When she gets inside, she puts the food bag down on the table. And she heads to her bedroom to change her clothes, and put away her lingerie. She smiles as she places her pretty panties and bra sets in their respective place. She simply can't wait to wear them for Fitz. Seduction indeed, she thinks.
After putting up her things, she returns to the common area. As she unpacks the food bag, she hears Abby's door open and hears her coming up the stairs. She takes a breath, as she prepares to interface with her bestie, since their last interaction.
By the time she reaches the top of the stairs; Olivia is sitting at the head of the table, placing the take out containers on the table for each of them.
Abby walks toward the table and they share a look. Instantly they both try to speak. And, they end up smiling. Olivia then takes advantage of the silence as she says, "I'm sorry Abby. I shouldn't have hung up on you." Abby sits down and sighs as she replies, "You're right. But, I didn't have any business snooping either. I knew you'd be pissed at me."
Olivia nods as she responds, "Well, you were right. But, I was still wrong for hanging up as I did. You were trying to be a friend like you've been since the first day we met on campus. And, I truly appreciate your friendship. I know I would've done the same thing if I thought you were making a stupid choice."
Abby smiles at her as she replies, "Thanks for being so understanding. But, regardless, I apologize for invading your privacy. I was still wrong for snooping. And I imagine I probably came off as controlling and accusatory, as well. So, I would've hung up too."
Olivia acknowledges her responds as she replies, "Thank you for understanding my position Abs." Abby smiles at her as she says, "You're welcome."
The air feels lighter between them now that the apologies are out and accepted. They begin to eat, and Olivia starts by telling her friend about her day. Before getting into it too deeply too fast though. She says, "So before I tell you about my day. I need to back up and catch you up on what's been going on lately."
Abby agrees as she says, "Okay. Shoot." Olivia finishes her bite of pasta primavera and says, "You asked before what was going on with me and Eddie." Abby nods as she replies, "Right, and you told me you'd talk when you were ready." She nods as she responds, "Yeah. Well, I found out last week that Eddie slept with Jasmine, his R.A."
Abby swallows her food and asks, "Jasmine, who went clubbing with us a few weeks ago?" Olivia sighs as she responds, "Yes. The one and the same." Abby shakes her head as she says, "What a bitch." Olivia counters as she replies, "It wasn't all her Abs. You know Eddie is as big of a dog as they come." Abby nods as she responds, "True. But she still knew he was with someone. Hell she even knows who you are. She doesn't get a pass."
She understands her point, but says, "I agree with you. She was wrong. But, no more than he was. And to be fair, he deserves the lion share of the blame because I was wearing his ring, not hers. Why would she respect our engagement, if he didn't?" Abby sits back as she sighs, after swallowing her food and says, "I hear you Liv. They're both morally fucked up people." Her remark causes them both to chuckle in agreement.
Their laughter settles as Olivia says, "Anyway, when I broke up with him. It wasn't just because he cheated. It was more so because I had gotten accustomed to being cheated on. I knew at that point, I needed to get out of that relationship. Because I wasn't willing to live a life like that." Abby reaches out to her friend, taking her hand as she says, "Good for you Liv. I'm proud of you for choosing yourself. And ending the relationship. But, I have to ask. What in the hell made you sleep with him again?"
She takes another bite of her food, and then a sip of her drink. Leaving Abby in suspense, and Olivia can see her chomping at the bit for a reply. She looks at her friend and simply blurts it out. "It wasn't Eddie that I was with last night."
Abby quickly asks, "What do you mean it wasn't Eddie?" Olivia tilts her head as she replies, "What do you think I mean Abs? You said yourself it wasn't my brand of condoms on the nightstand." Abby's mouth opens wide as she finally gets it, and says, "OOOOW. You got a new boo!"
Olivia cracks up as she replies, "Yes. I do. Well, maybe. I don't know. We haven't worked out the details yet." Abby then says, "Oh it was a hook up. Like friends with benefits or something?"
Olivia nods as she says, "Yeah. I guess you could say that to some extent. We are friendly, and it was definitely a benefit." She grins as she teasingly replies, "I know that's right. Because your ass was damn near floating this morning. He must have knocked all of the pretense out of that love muffin."
They again laugh heartily at her silliness and enjoy the moment. She allows Abby's curiosity to fester though, because she refuses to give her his name. She explains it's just simply too new to put a name on it yet. But, if that changes, she will share more info. While Abby doesn't like not knowing the name. She is willing to settle for her friend no longer being in a toxic relationship with her ex.
Olivia moves on to tell her about her day, as far as her meeting with Eddie and his parents. And Abby has a field day, calling him everything but a child of God, by the time she finishes spilling the details. Especially when she hears about the non-disclosure agreement request.
However, Olivia assures her it's standard practice when dealing with someone like Eddie. He is a potential political candidate and his relationships are a matter of public record. So, public relations firms are paid well to keep his image squeaky clean. She also explains to her that signing that paper almost ensures him leaving her alone once and for all. That in itself is worth it.