AN: If you weren't able to read Chapter 3 because of FF issues, then I'd suggest you go back and read that before you read this update. Thanks!
EOEOEOEO
Elliot had agreed to put the groceries away while Olivia changed, since the only thing he needed to do to dress for the warming temperature was strip off his sweatshirt. When he was finished with the last of the food, he pulled his sweatshirt over his head and headed out to remove the ragtop from the Jeep. The sun was shining brightly, and he figured they'd be warm enough as they explored the island. He and Olivia had decided to follow the road that hugged the coastline and leave the hiking and inner part of the area to the days that followed.
Elliot had just tucked the cover in the back of the Jeep when he saw Olivia walk out of the cottage. He was amazed at the transformation. She was wearing a white knit tank dress that hugged her figure in all the right places and a pair of simple, white cloth tennis shoes. She held what looked like a blue sweater in her hand, and she had her hair clipped up in the back. She practically skipped down the stairs and he saw her smile when she caught his eye. Whatever annoyance she had carried with her into the cottage had seemed to dissipate, and she held her smile all the way to the Jeep.
"Good idea to take the top off." Olivia lifted her face to the sun. "It's turning into a beautiful day." She'd had a little pep talk with herself in her bedroom, talking herself out of ruining the day with a bad attitude. Elliot was just being Elliot. She should be used to it by now and not let him get under her skin. "Thanks for taking care of the groceries." She said, flashing another smile. She wasn't going to apologize for being annoyed, but she did want to let him know that she was over it and they could move on.
"You're welcome." Elliot walked around the Jeep to where she was standing. "Ready to go on an adventure?" He held out his hand, and surprisingly, Olivia took it as she climbed up into the Jeep.
"So ready."
Elliot walked around and got in, catching sight of her bare legs and the way the scoop necked of the tank showed her cleavage. "I like that dress." He said, looking back at the road ahead before he could see her reaction.
EOEOEOEO
Olivia felt an initial chill as they headed back towards town, but she knew the sun would warm her as they went. She liked being the passenger, so she could take in the sights. It was amazing how different everything looked in the light of day. She had commented on the brilliant shimmer of the sun on the lake as they'd driven back from town this AM, and as they passed it again, she could see boats dotting the surface. She assumed that at this time of the year, they were fisherman, and she hoped that Elliot didn't bring up fishing. That sounded incredibly boring to her.
They were back in town before she knew, the trip seeming to take less time with each drive there and back. Elliot had taken a left on Main Street going right past their breakfast spot, so they could check out the park and the town pier. Olivia saw a pretty gazebo in the park, and some children on the playground, and she looked towards the beach and the water as Elliot pulled into a parking spot. Olivia hopped out of the Jeep and Elliot was right by her side.
"Let's head down to the pier, and then there is supposedly a walking path by the beach." Elliot reached out but stopped before resting his hand in the small of her back. He didn't think Olivia would appreciate being directed.
Olivia nodded, glancing back at extended arm, before they headed off in the direction of the pier. "Look!" They have whale watching tours."
"Is that something you'd like to do?" Elliot asked. "Have you ever been out on the open water?" He knew that Kathy and two of his daughters got horribly seasick with the least bit of motion.
Olivia shrugged. "No. But I think that would be fun."
They went in and found it was the very end of the season, so the tour guide couldn't promise they'd see anything. "It still might be fun." Olivia said to Elliot hopefully. She was game to try something new.
"Sure." Elliot said. He was somewhat skeptical of shelling out money for a trip that may be a bust, but he caught Olivia's enthusiasm. He pulled out his wallet and paid for both of their tickets as they settled on a tour the following afternoon. "You only live once."
They left the building and headed down to the pier. It was almost like a scene from a movie, with some sea-battered old men standing along the long boardwalk with fishing poles in hand. They breezed past them, making it all the way to the end. Olivia braced her arms on the wooden railing and tilted her face to the sky once again, taking in a deep breath of the cool ocean air. Seagulls screamed up above as they flew around, looking for their next meal.
Elliot stood several yards back, just watching Olivia. He felt a moment of sadness that this was her first trip to the ocean…that her childhood exposure to things like this had been so limited. He recalled his own days at the beach house his mother owned. The days spent in the water. The sandcastles and swimming. Just the freedom of it all. He realized how happy he was that Casey hadn't been able to make this trip and that he could share these firsts with Olivia. He was going to do whatever she wanted…would visit every stupid tourist shop and buy every ticket to every tour…if it meant he could experience them with her.
Olivia turned to find him, resting her elbows on the railing. "What're you doing?"
Elliot walked up to her, closing the gap between them. "Watching you."
Olivia furrowed her brows slightly, a smile tugging at her lips. "Why?"
"Because this is all new to you and that makes it fun for me." Elliot said. He moved to the railing and Olivia turned with him. "I used to spend a lot of time at the beach house, we've taken the kids on vacations and all that, so it's been awhile since I've seen anyone experience this for the first time again."
"So, I'm acting like a child?" She asked, keeping her tone light. She wasn't angry really, because she couldn't dispute that there were going to be a lot of firsts for her, but she didn't want pity about her childhood either.
"You're acting like someone that's never seen the ocean." Elliot said, knocking into her shoulder purposefully with his. "And I think that's pretty fucking awesome."
Olivia smiled, pressing her shoulder up against his. She glanced over at him and saw he was still watching her face. "Yeah?"
"I'm glad I'm here with you." Elliot said.
The sincerity and emotion in his voice surprised Olivia. "Me too." She said softly, unsure if he even heard her over the sounds of the waves crashing against the pier and the noise the gulls made. But then she saw a grin on his face, and she knew that he had.
They stood there for a few more minutes, just staring out at the water. Olivia could make out some land across the way and Elliot explained that there were several small islands that ringed the island they were on. "You'll see them on the boat tour tomorrow I'm sure."
They decided to leave the pier and they picked up the Shore Path. They paused at Town Beach, but it was small and quiet. Perhaps a little too cool for the locals. Up ahead, they could see another wooden pier jutting into the water, and a large resort set just back from the path. As they neared, they saw the sign for the Bar Harbor Inn & Spa. There was a beautiful patio, with each table sporting yellow umbrellas, and as if on cue, Olivia's stomach grumbled.
"Let's stop and have lunch!" Olivia suggested. They had really just started their walk, but the spot looked so idyllic. Spontaneity was ok when you were on vacation, and the walk would be waiting for them when they were done.
"I could go for something cool to drink." Elliot couldn't help but smile. He had expected it to be difficult for Olivia to relax, but she was settling into vacation mode quite easily. "And we don't have anyplace we need to be."
They approached the attendant, and she sat them at a table with a great view of the rocky shoreline, just past the pier. She slipped off her sunglasses and tossed them on the table as she leaned back in her chair. A young girl, dressed in khaki shorts and a t-shirt, handed them some menus, and took their drink orders before she disappeared.
"This day is absolutely gorgeous." She glanced over at Elliot with a big smile on her face and saw a bemused expression on his face. "What?"
"I'm just not used to seeing this much…enthusiasm…from you."
"Enthusiasm?" Olivia raised an eyebrow, but she still had a smile on her face.
"Yeah." Elliot shrugged. "I thought it would take you longer to get into vacation mode. Honestly…" Elliot said, leaning back in his own chair. "I wondered if you even could. I mean, you don't take a lot of time off."
"I take days off."
"And do what?" Elliot asked, trying to make a point.
"Stuff." Olivia said defensively, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. This verbal sparring with Elliot was fun.
"Ah ha." Elliot said. "Boring stuff."
Olivia laughed. "Not always. Well, maybe sometimes." Olivia conceded. "But I have to tell you, when Casey suggested we go away somewhere, I wasn't really sure about it. She got really excited when she talked about a little cottage buried in the woods and all I could think about was bugs and snakes and nature. And being alone in the woods sounded like a horror movie."
"What convinced you?"
Olivia laughed. "Her enthusiasm." She emphasized the last word and got a laugh out of Elliot. "Seriously though, I didn't really have any good reason to say no and I didn't have a better option, so I thought what the hell?" She let out a sigh. "I just had no idea that it was so beautiful here. So peaceful." She knew it had been less than twenty-four hours since they had arrived, but there was something about the place that put her at ease.
The waitress brought their drinks. A beer for Elliot and a Vodka tonic for Olivia, and they both ordered a lobster salad for lunch.
"Am I going to have to carry you out of here?" Elliot asked as Olivia drained a third of the glass.
"We're on vacation Elliot." Olivia gave him a mischievous smile. "Lighten up."
Elliot chuckled, picked up his mug and held it out. Olivia lifted her glass and clinked it lightly.
"Here's to vacation, sunshine, relaxation and lightening up."
EOEOEOEO
Olivia ate every bite of her salad. The lobster was so fresh she swore someone had caught it that day. And maybe they had. She was finishing up her second drink, as was Elliot, and she let out a contented sigh as she placed her glass on the table. She was feeling a bit sleepy and knew she either needed to head back to the cottage or get moving, and she chose the latter. She wasn't going to sleep this beautiful day away.
"I think I'm going to go inside and book a massage in the spa for later this week and then let's get back to our exploration of the island."
Elliot nodded as he threw some cash on the table and followed Olivia inside. The inside of the hotel was about what he'd expected. Quaint and small town, with a sense of history, but well-maintained.
Olivia found the entrance to the spa and took note of the good-looking young man at the reception desk. His nametag said Jack. He was toned and tan and probably too young for her, but she couldn't resist giving him a smile. She wondered if he was a masseuse or just the receptionist. "Hi Jack." Olivia said. "I'd like to book a massage."
Jack looked at her and then at Elliot. "A couple's massage?"
Elliot wasn't quite sure what was involved in a couple's massage, and he kind of liked the sound of it, but Olivia quickly shut that down. She glanced over at him before turning back to "Jack".
"Just a single massage." She glanced back at Elliot. "Unless…did you want one?"
"Is the couple's massage still on the table?" He asked.
"Um. No." Olivia said, glancing back at Jack. She leaned on the counter slightly. "Are you one of the masseuses here?"
Jack smiled, glanced over at Elliot and then back at Olivia. "No. I'm a personal trainer and the onsite yoga instructor. We just take turns working the desk." He glanced down at the book in front of him. "So, if you're interested in either of those, we have options. Are you a guest here?"
Olivia shook her head.
"Oh, sorry." He said regretfully, and Elliot couldn't help but smile. Jack looked down at the computer screen. "Well, I can fit you in on Wednesday morning with Ellen. She's great." He glanced back up at Olivia. "Do you want deep tissue or hot stone?"
Olivia couldn't help but roll her shoulders. The thought of a massage sounded so wonderful. "Deep tissue."
Jack continued to pepper her with questions abut length of time and then provided details on when to arrive, but Elliot barely registered it. He was busy watching Olivia, flirting with this guy. Elliot thought that maybe Olivia was barking up the wrong tree, but he wasn't completely sure. Jack was definitely being friendly, but that was part of his job, and Elliot wasn't sure it was much more than that.
At least that's what he was going to tell himself.
Olivia turned back towards him. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah."
They headed back outside, and Olivia realized that her drinks had made her head slightly fuzzy. She wondered when she'd become such a lightweight. "It is okay with you if we head back to the Jeep and keep driving?"
"Instead of finishing on the path?"
"Yeah. I'm just a little…" She didn't want to tell Elliot that maybe she'd downed those drinks too quickly, so she didn't finish her sentence.
Elliot was a little surprised she was suggesting it, but he thought perhaps the drinks she'd had at lunch had been strong. "Do I need to carry you to the car?"
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Of course not."
"That's one." Elliot said with a chuckle.
"One what?" Olivia was puzzled by his comment.
"That's your first eye roll of the day." He looked at his watch. "I'm surprised it took this long."
Olivia almost rolled her eyes again but caught herself in the nick of time. "Just for that, I should make you carry me to the Jeep." No sooner were the words out of her mouth when she saw a glimmer in Elliot's eye. He reached down and scooped her into his arms before she could even squeak out a protest and started walking in the direction of the parking lot.
"Elliot! Put me down." Olivia said, pushing against his chest. But he had a firm hold of her, with one arm beneath her knees and his right arm secured around her lower back. His fingers dug into her waist slightly as she struggled, but she started to laugh, and it weakened her fight. "You're crazy." She said, seeing the determined look on his face.
"You challenged me to do it, so…" Elliot said, enjoying the feel of her body pressed up against his.
"I did not." Olivia tried to be indignant, but the giggles had taken hold and she couldn't find any strength to fight him physically or verbally.
Elliot stopped in his tracks and looked at her incredulously. "Are you giggling?"
"No." Olivia said, but she barely choked the word out. She didn't know what had come over her, but she couldn't seem to contain her laughter.
Elliot shifted Olivia in his arms. The clip holding her hair flew off and let loose her waves, and her dress slid down and pooled on her upper thighs. He had this insane desire to lean in and capture her lips in that moment, but Olivia was still trying to control her laughter and as his eyes moved from her lips to her eyes, the moment passed.
"Let me down." She said with one final laugh, and then Elliot lowered her to the ground. The hem of her dress fell back to her knees and she leaned over to grab the clip from the grass. She clipped it to the strap of her dress, rather than trying to redo her hair. "Just for the record, I was not giggling." She said, feeling on the verge of laughter once again.
"Of course not." Elliot said as they started walking.
"I don't giggle." Olivia repeated, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face.
In just under ten minutes, they were back on Main Street and headed out of town. Olivia was looking at a map, trying to get her bearings.
They'd been driving in silence for a few minutes before Elliot spoke again. "Were you flirting with that guy back there?" Elliot asked, trying to sound nonchalant. He kept his eyes on the road, but he could see her head lift and look over at him.
Olivia gave a brief laugh. "No. I was just being nice."
"Hmm." Elliot said. "You know, if he was looking for a date, I think he probably would have been more interested in me than you." He glanced over at her and saw a look of disbelief on Olivia's face.
"I don't think so." Olivia said. "You're way off." She said, shaking her head. "He was flirting with me." She had no real indication of that, but it was fun to tease Elliot. "I just didn't want to…" She shrugged slightly. "Leave you and force you to eat dinner all alone." She smiled sweetly and then looked back at the map.
"How gracious of you. But even if it was true, don't you think he's a little young for you?"
"He wasn't that young." Olivia insisted. "Besides, you don't think a younger man could be interested in me?"
"I didn't say that. I think all most, if not all, heterosexual men would be interested in you."
Olivia laughed. "Yeah?" She tossed her hair back and readjusted her sunglasses. "All of them?" She laughed again. She gave Elliot a mischievous grin. "Lucky me."
Elliot shook his head. "Yeah, but they're not here. So…lucky me."