He waits for a few minutes; but when he sees the conversation is ongoing, he decides to leave to get ready to meet Liv. But, as he makes it out of the doors he hears her call him again. He stops and turns to face her. She hurriedly walks up to him as she says, "You are deceptively fast my friend." He smiles as he replies, "I guess. What's up? Did you need something?"
With people walking by as they exit the gym, they step around the corner to be out of the way. And, she smiles as she says, "Yes. You called me remember? I forgot to hit you back because I've been so busy. My bad."
While sipping his drink he nods as he responds, "Oh, that's right. No apologies needed. I was just calling to…." She moves closer to him, as she quickly interrupts, "Ask me out?" Hearing her and seeing her response, and not looking to lead her on any further. He decides to just come out with it.
He smiles kindly as he drops the bomb by saying, "Actually, I wanted to talk to you because I've noticed your sexual innuendos and sly comments lately." She grins at him as she moves even closer, while replying, "Well it's about dammed time. I didn't know what more I needed to do to get your attention."
Feeling like she is way too close for comfort, he steps back a bit as he responds, "Of course your advances got my attention; you're beautiful, talented and a really cool person. It's honestly flattering that you have any interest in me beyond friendship."
His tactful gesture goes completely over her head though, despite his valid attempt to keep the conversation tone polite. As she chimes in by saying, "I agree, so why are we still standing here talking?
I have an empty apartment we can continue this conversation and more in. Oh, and you can check out my new 4k TV, all the guys raved about it when they came to watch the game the other night."
Although he's heard about the amazing picture quality of the 4k televisions. He can't help but realize going to her apartment alone with her isn't the smartest idea. Given her tone and the intensity of her body posture, she clearly has other plans he doesn't want to participate in.
She sees him in thought as he pauses, post invitation. So she decides to take the lead, as she seductively grabs his free hand; but he snaps back into the moment, and pulls away as he blurts out, "I'm not romantically interested in you, Nyemah."
As her eyes narrow, she gives him a look that he can only describe as what offended, mixed with pissed off looks like. He didn't mean to be so blunt. But she didn't give him much of a choice with her presumptive hand grab.
He now has some concern, what started out as a quick, light chat. Is obviously turning into something much more serious and uncomfortable. He can tell by the shift in her demeanor, she's highly irritated with him.
Seeing the potential development of what's likely to happen next, and wanting to avoid it at all costs. He negotiates the tight space between her and the wall perfectly, to step around her completely, without touching her; feeling like making a break for it is best at this point, because nothing else could possibly be said to save the moment by either one of them.
As he makes his getaway he says, "I have to go." However, the problem is she isn't willing to let things end so easily; instead she turns toward him as he's now on the opposite side of her with a clear path to walk away, asks, "What's up with you? Why do you keep ignoring me?"
He can't believe what he's hearing. He's thinking to himself, she can't be serious given what he just said to her in plain English, no metaphors or riddles. Therefore in his mind if anyone's ignoring anybody it's her, because she's definitely not listening to him. Which frustrates him, so he responds, I don't know what's up with you right now. But, I just told you I'm not ignoring you. I see you. I'm just not interested in dating you."
He figures if she didn't hear him the first time; she had to hear and understand him the second time. But, he wasn't ready for her reply. Surprisingly, his response doesn't disturb her flow, despite its straightforwardness, as she matches his forthright tenor by asking, "Who said anything about romance? Fitz, I just want to fuck. No strings attached. Friends with benefits. Whatever you want to call it. Just don't call it romance."
Her reply causes him to step away from her again, as he asks, "Wait. Aren't you and Rob supposed to be together?" She nods as she steps closer to him as she asks, "Why? Are you planning on telling him about this conversation?"
Annoyed by her persistence; he boldly asks, "Is that what you want? For me to tell him about this?" His tone is steady and unrelenting, something she can no longer refute. It's then she realizes he's not taking the bait.
He too notices as her facial expression changes from that of attempted seduction, to anger. As she says, "You know what. Fuck you. And guys like you who are intimidated by strong women like me. You think you can judge me or shame me for knowing what I want, and not being afraid to say it, and go after it. But you can't!"
He honestly cannot believe what he's seeing and hearing. He's beyond perplexed in this moment, and decides this is his best chance to escape this madness immediately. In his head, he wants to simply say, "Yeah, you're fucking batshit crazy. Stay the fuck away from me!"
But instead he replies, "You can try to make this about whatever you like. Just do me a favor and leave me the fuck out of whatever you decide; because I'm not entertaining your crazy!
Before she can respond he's halfway down the hall, and they're no longer alone in the hallway. So, she lets him go. But mouths this isn't over. Not by a long shot.
When he finally reaches his apartment he's in disbelief. He can't wrap his head around what just happened. And, he has limited time to figure it out due to his company sure to be arriving soon.
Still flabbergasted, he heads to his room to get ready, knowing she's not going to believe the story he has for her. But he's also not necessarily wanting this bullshit to ruin their planned day either. The last thing he wants to do is have anything take center stage over their time together.
Meanwhile, Olivia is sitting across the desk from Cyrus Bean, her law professor and mentor, who has been instrumental in helping her while she's been in law school. She's touted as his smartest pupil and she appreciates him always working to challenge her to be her best.
As he finishes looking over the last paragraph of the last page of the document, he says, "Yes. Everything looks good now Liv." She nods as she replies, "Great Cy. I'm glad they agreed to the revisions." He nods as he says, "Me too. There was no way I was going to encourage you to sign the original document.
There were zero protections in it for your privacy, meaning he could blab to the world about you. While you'd be pressed to barely be able to utter his name, or acknowledge you were engaged at any point without being sued civilly. Only a fool would agree to that, especially since I don't trust that punk as far as I could throw him. And, with my bad back, that isn't very far."
They chuckle together as she says, "I hear you. Thanks for catching that. I owe you one." He smiles as he says, "Nonsense. You don't owe me anything. Here's a pen, just kindly place your John Hancock here, so we can get you on your way my lady." She grins as she takes the pen and signs her name gleefully.
After signing, she says, "There you go." He takes the form from her as he replies, "Thank you much. Here is your copy of the agreement, and I will send this one over to Barron's attorney's office today by messenger. They wanted it before the weekend."
She nods as she takes a breath and says, "Sounds like a plan. Now I guess he and Jasmine can prepare for their debut at the gala this weekend." He sees the expression on her face and says, "You know. I thought maybe you'd be more upset about this thing with Jasmine, or even how the situation unfolded with him. But, I'm glad to see just the opposite. You look refreshed and relieved."
She smiles as she replies, "I am Cy. It's been a long road and I'm happy to be done. I don't have a reason to be upset anymore concerning him. She will discover what I already know, which is all that glitters isn't gold."
He nods in agreement as he says, "That's understandable given all you've been through. Speaking to your parents last night, I think we're all relieved this is over." She grins as she replies, "Yes. I agree with you there. Did my parents tell you about their RV road trip plans?"
He chuckles as he says, "Yes. Your mom seems to be on board with it. That shocked me." I didn't think she'd be interested in going to the various professional and college football stadiums across the country. She laughs as she replies, "Me too. But I think she's just being supportive. Dad's been kind of bummed since retiring, and the idea of taking this trip has given him some much needed pep in his step."
Cyrus understands her point, as he responds, "That makes total sense Liv. By all accounts the trip actually sounds interesting. I'm not a sports person of course, but even I'd be intrigued by the idea of such a trip."
Agreeing with him, she says, "I must admit it does sound intriguing. I'm just glad my aunt Beverly and Uncle Brian are going with them, so they aren't alone too long together. I can only imagine how they'd drive each other crazy being alone that long."
He has to agree with her, cabin fever is real and can be an issue on road trips. He smiles as he says, "That's a brilliant point. I'm betting your mom came up with that idea."
She nods as she replies, "Of course she did. She knows herself, and she knows him too. Their laugh in concert cleanses them both, as they reflect on the craziness that is her parents.