Edgar needed a drink after that. Honestly he needed the plural and lots of it. Olivia was really going to start dating this Ellis and Edgar had no right to do anything about it. And if it wasn't Ellis, it would just be someone else eventually. He didn't consider himself the jealous type but that was probably because he'd never had reason to be. Olivia could have anyone she wanted and Edgar would sell his soul for it to be him. Fat chance! Assuming Olivia would ever talk to him again, Edgar had destroyed anything that might have been, by hotfooting it to Ukraine. They would never be together now.

He sloped into the bar hoping to ingest copious amounts of alcohol. He would get completely sloshed and pretend that might help him forget Olivia. Except he bloody couldn't because the brunette in question was here with her date. Fantastic. Edgar plonked himself down at the bar and ordered whiskey. Double. No need for any ice that might dilute the alcohol content in any way. Throwing it back, he signalled for another. The liquid burned its way down his throat and churned in his stomach. He could hear Olivia's laughter ring throughout the space. Swivelling in his bar stool he realised he could watch them relatively unseen, as the pair huddled together in a corner booth. How fucking cosy. Ellis was making a show of touching the brunette. Leaning in to whisper something obviously hilarious in her gorgeous ear. Edgar must be a glutton for punishment as he continued to stare at them like some sort of voyeur. He was heartbroken. His chest in a vice would have been preferable. He waves the bartender over for another whiskey and settles in to watch the show.

Olivia was actually having a really nice time. Ellis was so much fun and it had surprised her how easy it was to laugh again. She knew they were both tactile so she hadn't read anything into all the touching. Now that she knew better, she couldn't help noticing it. It wasn't unpleasant, but was she attracted to him? Could she picture the two of them together? In truth, not in the way images of Edgar and her just snuck into her mind at the most inopportune moments. No effort was even required and there they were holding hands, another breath and then she saw them exchanging presents on Christmas Day. Or do a food shop. Or kissing under mistletoe. Or arguing over who could use the shower first in the morning. Deciding that the most sensible resolution was to shower together. Her cheeks flushed as she realises just how far her imagination has taken her. Suddenly Ellis was looking at her as if he'd asked a question to which Olivia was now required to give an answer. She had not been paying attention, lost in fantasies of a lathered up lawyer.

"Olivia, are you even listening to me?" Ellis fake pouts.

"Sorry Bay, I was miles away." Olivia feels awful.

"How can I bring you back here?" Ellis slips a hand into Olivia's on the table, interlinking their fingers. He leans into the brunette's lips about to kiss her.

The shattering of glass startles them apart, both searching wildly for the source of the noise.

Edgar had slammed his whiskey glass down so hard on seeing the almost kiss and shattered it. Luckily no damage was done and neither seemed to have noticed him, but he slips outside quietly, tears falling, trying desperately to get air into his lungs.

Olivia comes outside talking loudly into her mobile and doesn't see him skulking in the shadows. Olivia was standing right in his path now, he couldn't escape without Olivia seeing him.

A noise behind her makes her jump. "Who's there?" she tries not to sound too terrified.

Edgar has to come out now or risk frightening the life out of her. "It's only me, Olivia."

"Thank God, Edgar you almost gave me a heart attack." Olivia clutches her chest relieved. "What are you doing back there?"

"Nothing. Just needed some air." Edgar wracks his brains for what to say next. Anything to keep her there a bit longer. Anything that means she'll talk to him at last. "Um, how's your date going?" Fuck, Edgar cursed himself. One, because he doesn't want to hear the answer. And two, because now Olivia knows he's been watching them.

Olivia is about to throw out a sarcastic retort but all she can muster is. "Fine, thank you."

"I hope everything works out for you." Edgar didn't hope that in the slightest.

"Do you?" The way Olivia says it is part scorn, part disappointment.

"No." Edgar makes no attempt to deny it.

"Are you seriously jealous?" Olivia is incredulous.

"Yes." Again no hesitation, no denial.

Olivia didn't know how to respond to that. Edgar's heart beats like the clappers and he isn't breathing he's sure.

"he seems nice." Edgar winces. Why is he torturing himself?

"he is." Olivia steels her glare on Edgar.

Edgar knows he shouldn't ask but he can't stop the words. "Is he what you want?"

"Why don't you tell me? That is your speciality after all." Olivia is bitter and doesn't hide it. "If you're asking me if I want to be in a relationship with someone who isn't a coward. Yes. Do I want someone who wants me back? Yes. Do I want a proper, grown-up relationship? Yes. Do I want to be in love and not hurting? Yes. Someone who kisses me and isn't ashamed or afraid, who doesn't run at the first chance, who doesn't make me feel undesirable and foolish. Yes. Yes. YES!" Olivia screams as she fights not to cry, not to give Edgar the satisfaction.

Edgar flies at her then. Kissing the brunette with a bruising force. Hands dragging over her. Committing every curve to memory, in case he never has another chance, in case Olivia comes to her senses and wants nothing more to do with him. So far she is kissing him back, but Edgar kisses her like it could end at any moment. "I'm sorry." Edgar whispers against her skin. His tears wetting Olivia's face. "I'm so sorry." he had never been more sorry. "I shouldn't have left you. Please forgive me. Olivia, please." Edgar isn't above begging. he will get down on his knees and do just that. Anything it takes.

"Olivia?" Ellis squints into the darkness, looking for the brunette.

Olivia snaps back to reality. Pushing Edgar away from her.

"Olivia, are you out here?" he searches for her.

"Over here." Olivia calls out to him.

Edgar shakes his head. He won't believe that Olivia will walk away from him, even as he watches her do it. "Olivia, please." Edgar holds out his hand, imploring her to take it. To stay here with him.. To choose him.

Olivia turns her back on him, breathing deeply to keep from crying.

"There you are, where did you get to?" Ellis rubs Olivia's arms, sees that she looks shaken. "Are you ok?"

Edgar's heart disintegrates at Olivia's reply. "Take me home, Ellis. Please."

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