By the time he finished work, Peter was in a complete daze about what to do next. he hadn't been expecting that message from Olivia at all, and despite Simon telling him to reply, Peter hadn't because he hadn't known what to say. Peter was completely shocked that Olivia had actually had the foresight to interpret his miscommunication on the phone as nerves rather than rejection. The thing that most intrigued Simon about the text message was the part about the someone telling him its easier to find less direct ways of telling someone something- he wondered if Olivia had been discussing Peter with someone else.

But the only part Peter was concerned with was the last few words- Olivia admitting she liked him as well. But now they had reached an impasse, where did they go now? They both liked each other, but they didn't really know enough about each other. What should he say to Olivia, what should he do? Peter had no idea, but he had to decide and soon.

'Hey Peter' Simom caught up with him outside the courthouse.

'Hey'

'Have you spoken to her yet?'

'And said what?'

'I don't know, maybe to tell her how you feel'

'That is precisely the point Simon. I don't know how I feel and I don't know how to tell her anything call it what you will, but I cannot find the right words to tell her how I am feeling.'

"I know that Peter I do, but listen to me. Olivia knows you enough and enough about you to have drawn her own conclusions. Why do you think she sent you that message, it was her way of filling in the blanks. A less direct way of telling someone... that line says it all Peter. You like her and she likes you. Quite a lot it would seem to me".

"But I didn't tell her. I wrote it on a piece of paper and was a chicken. I know we need to talk but I don't think I could find the right words and I'm not sure I could say anything".

"Well if you can't say it, you can most definitely write it'

Olivia finished her shift later than planned. Peter hadn't replied to her message and Olivia didn't know what to do. She had taken a big step in confessing to Peter that she liked him. What if the gamble she had taken was all for nothing?

"You heard anything back from him?' Amanda appeared at Olivia's side as she put her stuff back into her locker and closed the door.

"No, nothing. And I don't expect to in all honestly. I think I overstepped the mark'

"Olivia, he is the one who told you in the first place. That must mean he meant it.'

"How do I know that?'

"You don't, but you can't change what you've said. Peter probably needs time to sort out what he wants to say to you'

"I don't know what I want to say to him though. I know I like him, but I can't even begin to imagine where we go from here. I've got to tackle Brian... because whatever happens with Peter, Brian is not my type'

"Well, don't do anything too hasty"

"You really like him don't you?'

"I think so. And its scaring me, because this has never happened to me before.

"Calm down, nothing is ever as bad as you think. Go home, get some sleep, and then you can tackle Peter on Wednesday'

"Okay, night Amanda'

"Night".

Olivia was deep in thought as she left the precient and made her way out of the car park. She was so lost in her own world that she didn't see the figure blocking her path and she collided with them.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you'

"It's okay. Not the first collision we've been involved in' Olivia recognised the voice and stopped dead. Sure enough, Peter was stood in front of her, a nervous smile on his face.

"W... What are you doing here?'

"I'm not stopping, I need to give you this'

"Give me what?'

"This.' Peter reached in the pocket of his pink coat and pulled out an envelope.

"Not another piece of paper Peter, I'm still struggling to get over the last one'

"Promise me you'll read it.'

"I...'

"Olivia, please'

"Okay'

"Thank you'

Olivia took the letter off Peter and in the moment it took her to glance down at the envelope, Peter was gone. Sighing and shaking her head, Olivia opened the envelope. She was expecting a few words to be written, probably that Peter didn't mean what he said, but instead what she got was something completely different.

Dear Olivia,

I must have fried your brain the last few days after I did a disappearing act on you in the restaurant on Saturday. I really am sorry for the way I handled it, but I knew that I didn't have the confidence or the courage to tell you to your face so I chickened out. If it wasn't for my best friend Simon, I wouldn't have rang you earlier, and once again I'm sorry for not being able to speak to you. I'm really not good at talking about my feelings and emotions to other people, but I think you had an inkling of that which is why you text me. I am really sorry to have caused you all this stress and things.

You pointed out in your text message about finding less direct ways of telling people things, so this is another way of me trying. I loved your text message, I cannot get it out of my head that you like me too. I really don't want you to take it back, but as for where we go now, I have absolutely no idea. I've never been like this with anyone before- you are the first person I have felt a connection with. I managed to get tomorrow off work, I wondered if you wanted to meet up and we could do something and maybe we could try and havw a conversation about where we go from here?

I guess this is my way of trying to ask you out.

Peter xx

Olivia wiped away the tears in her eyes and pulled out her phone. She stabbed out her message and sent it before she changed her mind. Suddenly she didn't feel quite so alone as she had earlier on in the day.

Peter heard his phone go off in his pocket and he pulled it out, his breath catching as he saw it was Olivia.

I GUESS THIS IS MY WAY OF SAYING YES. MEET ME IN THE PARK AT 11? Xx

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