A|N: Thanks for the wonderful comments from last chapter and making fun of Fitz' Sahara desert spell. Lol. Hope you enjoy!
A week had passed since Olivia and Fitz' friendship had blossomed. No longer were they relegated to simple text messaging; the friends would now communicate with each other through phone calls. At first the phone calls were short and mildly awkward but it wasn't before long that they spent hours upon hours, talking about nothing and everything. They shared their common love for all kinds of pasta. Olivia professed her love of watching the food network channel, in efforts to sharpen her culinary skills. Fitz jokingly told her one night, that she may have to cook for him one day. Surprising herself and him, she extended an invitation for dinner at her apartment. After all, if they were going to be friends, they would need to behave in the capacity of friendship; and friends don't have a problem inviting their friends to their home.
When she'd gotten a text ten minutes ago from Fitz saying, he was on his way, her nerves heightened as she frantically checked and re-checked everything and I meant everything, for proper order. She checked her bedroom to make sure that not one single piece of clothing was out of place. The toilet was checked to ensure its pristine white color was intact, soap dispenser checked for soap, she even ensured that the toilet paper holder was adequately fill. Sweet smelling candles and potpourri lined a few surfaces in her bathroom and bedroom. Glade air freshener plugging were splayed all throughout the apartment in strategically placed outlets.
The carefully prepared dish of fresh tomato, spicy sausage and pecorino pasta was being kept warm on low heat.
Double checking her outfit in the mirror, she ensured that she looked cute but without screaming that she was trying too hard. She wore a simple charcoal colored jegging with a cream cotton off the shoulder long sleeve top. Her hair was freshly untwist and she teased her curls to give her afro fullness. Her face wore no makeup sans some mascara and lip gloss.
Heading out to the small living room that was a hairsbreadth from her front door, she arrived just in time to hear knocking.
Heart fluttering wildly in her chest, she walks barefoot over to the front door.
When her hands connects with the doorknob she takes a steadying breath, making sure to breathe in and out. Letting out the last pent up air in her lungs, her face transforms into a breathtaking smile as she swings the door open with finesse.
"Welcome to my humble abode," she greets the no longer stranger, standing on the other side of the threshold.
Fitz gives her a beaming smile as he receives the first peek of her bubbly presence. He hadn't seen her in over 24 hours and he could honestly say that he missed her presence.
"Come in, come in," she beckons incessantly, as a wave of cold wind penetrates the fabric of her shirt, leaving her shivering. She motions for him to come into the warm apartment.
"Wow... your home is beautiful," was the first thing he utters, as he took in the interior design of her apartment. The walls surrounding stark white, the floors a beautiful shade of chestnut brown, a simple leather black sofa rests against the opposite wall; in it holds some beautiful black and white pillows, some were purely white or black, while others took on both colors in diagonal and horizontal stripes. Her home felt warm and cozy yet looks like it's been taking from out of a magazine. His eyes happened to notice a bright green afghan thrown across the back of the sofa, it was the only pop of color he'd seen so far.
"Thank you," her voice breaks him out of his visual reverie.
"I can take your jacket," she offers.
"Uh…sure," he complies, shrugging out of his thick navy blue winter jacket.
Olivia wordlessly collects his jacket, and hangs it up on one of the vacant hooks behind her door. Being that her apartment was small, she had to make use of every small nook and crevices. And thanks to Pinterest, she'd taken on a lot of DIY projects.
"Uhh…let me give you a tour. It'll be a quick one," she jokes.
Fitz' laughter reverberates throughout the air in reciprocation of her joke. The sound eases her tensions, making her remember that it wasn't a date, just two friends enjoying the company of each other.
"Oh, I almost forgot I brought something for you," Fitz spins on his heel to go retrieve the bottle of red wine nestled inside his coat pocket.
"Oh," she muttered bemused until he retrieved the red wine that he'd come to know as her favorite kind.
"For you," he extends the bottle of Clarendon Hills Moritz Syrah 2006 to her. Ever since an invitation was extended to her home, Fitz kept an eye out for the deep red opulence.
Appreciating his grand gesture, Olivia smiles her gratitude as she collects the cool bottle – thanks to the cold winter air– from his hands.
Studying the bottle's label, she softly utters her appreciation, "thank you for the wine."
"You're welcome," his lips curls up pleasantly. Before they could recommence their tour, Fitz asks, "Do you mind if I take off my shoes?"
Olivia immediately answers, "No that's fine with me. Make yourself at home."
Fitz mumbles an "ok" before he started untying the laces of his boots.
Standing their watching him perform the simple act, left her feeling aroused from the way his back muscles undulates underneath the soft material of his shirt. She shifted from one foot to the next uncomfortably.
Thinking that he would leave his socks on, Olivia watches as he also removes it – showing off the most neatly kept masculine feet she'd ever seen – his toenails clean, immaculately trimmed and stench free.
He neatly places his' probably size 12 winter boots, on the right side of the wall where the door opens. The simple act had her thinking how much it looks like it belongs there. It add a touch to her home that she didn't even know was missing.
"Ready," Fitz' baritone voice breaks her thoughts.
Gathering her wits she replies, "Sure, let's get started." Olivia leads the way, first stopping in her living room.
"Well as you can tell this is my living room," she introduce with a grand gesture of her left arm.
Having already viewed the furniture décor in her living room, Fitz settled to view the artwork displayed on her snowy walls; as he wasn't able to view it from the distance he previously stood.
"I'll be right back," she tells him as she leaves the room to go deposit the wine inside the refrigerator.
Fitz was only left to himself for two minutes, before she was back explaining the different artwork that she had recovered thriftily.
"You got all of this from a flea market?" He asks unbelievingly. She had an eclectic compilation of artwork, displayed artistically in various frame sizes on the wall behind her couch.
"Yup every single one of them. I consider myself to be a Thrifter."
"They're beautiful, especially this," he points to the one with a small title etched on the bottom of the drawing, called 'Lazy Sundays'. A beautiful drawing of a black woman sitting up in bed with only a thin white spaghetti strap tank top on while her lower half was surrounded by bed sheets. He especially like the touch of her untamed curls atop her head.
"Why?" she asks curiously with a small smile gracing her lips.
He shrugs his shoulders, unwilling to divulge why. The image reminds him of her, and it gives him mental depictions of what having the real painting in his bed would look like. Shaking his head from dangerous thinking, he opens his mouth to give an excuse, "I think it's beautiful and I like the way the artist captured the lazy frown on her face."
"Oh," she frowns slightly but quickly masked her expression.
From room to room, Fitz noted the theme of white and black, they was hardly any pop of colors inside of her apartment.
"I can safely assume that white is your favorite color," he teased.
"How did you know?" she retorts sarcastically.
Fitz smirks, which was becoming her favorite thing, "wild guess, I guess"
She gives him a playfully eye roll and stops at the threshold of her bedroom door.
"And here is where the tour ends," she opens the door and ushers him inside. She most definitely could've left this part out, but since her apartment was so small; she included it just to gain time.
When his large frame enters her bedroom, Olivia immediately knew that she'd made a huge mistake. The air shifted subtly, body heat increasing. Naked visions of him plagues her mind, causing her breathing to grow shallow. It wasn't until in that moment, did her body remembered that it had gone way too long without any relations from the opposite sex. It had been 3 years since she'd ended her relationship with her 2 years long boyfriend, Mario. It was a bittersweet moment but both knew that they weren't going to last. They were two different people, Olivia needing independence and him wanting her to submit to his every beckoning. Before they'd made it on the road to start hating each other, they decided to call it quits.
Snapping herself out of her carnal thoughts, she clears her throat, "if you need to go to the washroom, it will be right through there," pointing towards the door that leads to her en-suite bathroom.
Fitz turns around to look at her and it was then that she saw the brewing storm in his normally clear blue gray eyes.
"Got," he clears his throat after hearing his voice sounding deeper than it usually was. "Got it."
They stood staring at each other awkwardly as if it was their first time meeting.
In a preppy tone, Olivia announced, "Let's go eat," followed by the clasping of her hands. Her prim and proper routine was done in hopes to dissipate the building heat between them.
"The only reason why I came," Fitz quips which earned him a stern look from Liv.
"Well… I hope it will be satisfactory to your palate," she didn't give him a chance to reply before leading the way out of her bedroom.
Fitz couldn't help but notice the sashaying of her hips with each step that she took. Her spectacular ass was perfectly proportioned and round. He internally chastised himself; he shouldn't have noticed how great her ass was, since they're technically 'friends'.
"I made garden salad, hope you like that," she says over her shoulder.
"Mmm. I like it a lot," Fitz responded, even though their attentions existed on two completely different things.
In the final few steps to her small dining area, he summons his mind and body to act accordingly.
"Do you need help with anything?" he questions before taking a seat at the three piece dining table.
"No that's ok. Have a seat, I'll be right back."
Fitz hesitantly sat at the table and waited for her. He would much rather keep busy than allow lustful thoughts to fill his mind about his friend.
Shortly after, Olivia brought out two small bowls of garden salad with her homemade dressing drizzled on top, in addition to two glasses of water.
They ate the salad in pleasant silence, only the crunches of the veggies could be heard. Once finish, Olivia removes the salad bowls and replaces it with piping hot deep plates, containing the aromatically pleasing pecorino pasta dish.
"Mmm," Fitz breathes in the rich aroma.
Olivia blushes at the sight of this competent man, sitting across from her, fanning the rising steam to his nose in a very hypnotic way. His appreciation for the craft of her hands was greatly accepted. It's been awhile since she'd cooked a home cook meal for anyone other than herself.
"Taste it," she urged, wearing a beaming smile.
Taking his fork, Fitz unashamedly gathers a huge bite of pasta before it disappears inside his mouth. Olivia watches on as his lips wraps around the fork and moans when the first bite graced his taste buds.
"This is so good, Liv," he mumbles through his chewing.
Olivia continued beaming, anytime in his presence that's all she seemed to do. She couldn't help but be happy whenever she was with him.
Together, they ate with amicable tête-à-tête and when Fitz' plate was empty he didn't shy away from second offerings.
An hour later they'd finished eating and completed half bottle of wine; he'd brought. Their bodies now relaxed and comfortable in each other's presence.
Too full for dessert, they both passed on the chocolate mousse.
This time he didn't wait for her to decline his help. He got up and started moving the used dishes from on top the table to the kitchen.
Olivia silently followed his lead in cleaning up their mess.
They moved in surprising synchronization, washing the dishes and leaving them out to dry. Feeling slightly buzz, the friends joked around while completing the cleanup task.
Taking their wine glasses and the half full bottle of wine, they retired on the sofa; each sitting on opposite ends.
"That's the best home cook meal I've eaten in a very long time." Fitz expresses contentedly, absentmindedly rubbing his fingers up and down the stem of the wine glass.
Olivia sits with her feet curled up underneath her and sips her wine. "You can stop with the praises now. You're invited again," she jests.
"Yea?" Fitz gives her a boyish grin, his body slightly turn to face her, one of his arm resting on the back of the sofa that almost reaches hers. She was intoxicated by him. He looked so strong but yet so gentle, sitting on her couch.
"Friends don't let friends go without a good home cooked meal," she retorts, bringing back his earlier words to remembrance.
A moment passed, neither one talking.
Eventually, Fitz raises his glass in a toast, "To friends."
She mirrors his action, "to friends," her voice echoes softly.
Another intimate moment passes between them as they held each other's gaze. Olivia's lips involuntarily parts when his eyes fell to them, her heart beating at a rhythmical speedy pace. The sexual tension from earlier reappears; and this time they both felt it strongly. Their lungs sharply inhaling the intoxicating scent of each other. Their lips begging to be touched, but neither wanted to be first to give in. Eyes feasting on every inch of each other's face for a few more seconds; they both knew what they wanted but too afraid to go after it. So they sat and stared.
A decision was made for them when both of their phones simultaneously started ringing. Jolting out of the moment, they both fumbled to grab their phones resting on top the nearby coffee table.
"I got to take this," Fitz was the first one to say, when he saw Stephen's name lighting up the screen.
"Go ahead," Olivia replies, checking her phone to see that it was Abby calling her.
They both walked off into different parts of the apartment, needing privacy to take their phone calls; and slightly fearing that the other parties would sense what they'd almost done if they were in the same room.
Five minutes later, they rejoined each other in the living room and at the same time started speaking.
"You go first," Olivia propositions.
Taking a deep breath, he says, "I'm sorry but I'm going to have to cut our dinner short. Stephen, just called and said that he has a blowout at Molly's so I'm going to go over and give him a hand."
"Mmm that's funny, Abby, called me and said that she was too drunk to go home by herself and needed me to come take her."
Silence ensued before they both broke out into laughter after realizing that they're probably being played.
Realizing that this might be an opportunity to put some distance between him and Liv, Fitz suggests, "We should go just to make sure they're ok."
Olivia sensing that this was his subtle way of saying, 'let's go surround ourselves with friends before we do something that we both regret' also agreed.
"Ok, but we're calling a cab. We both had a little too much to drink," she stated.
Fitz acquiesces and they called a cab. Within the twenty minute wait for the vehicle, Olivia excused herself to go freshen up and put on her winter gears while Fitz did the same in the living room. Thoughts of their almost kiss swirls in her head, she didn't know whether to be happy that it didn't happen or disappointed that it didn't. She could honestly say that she felt both ways. She didn't want to mess up the solid friendship that they're building but at the same time she would love to see where it all goes.
"The cab is here," Fitz calls out to her.
"Ok, coming," she shouts.
Both playing the role of perfect, domesticated companionship without noticing.
A few seconds later she reappears fully ready, dressed in a red pea coat and black knee high boots. Fitz took her in visually but held back any audible praises.
After she'd turned off all of the lights minus the one over the doorway; Fitz opens the front door. A flowery waft of her perfume fills his nostrils when she passes by him to walk through the door. The scent rouses his carnal urges.
Once she was through the door, he closes it and steps back, allowing her to lock it with her key.
They quickly made their way down to the first floor using the elevator to the awaiting cab.
Securely sitting in the semi-dark backseat, they both settled into quietness as their driver navigates the busy roads of downtown Chicago.
At first, they were both looking outside their windows at the passing street lights and cars, until they abruptly encountered a pothole that jolts them forward. Surprised by the movement, they both let out a yelp followed by a short chuckle.
Olivia returns her gaze to the window but Fitz didn't. Instead, he watches her beautiful face wearing the shadows of the passing buildings and lights. He was extremely attractive to her beauty and mind. Even though he would be contented to just be her friend, he wondered what it would be like if he was more. From the time they'd started on the road of friendship, one thing he realizes; he would never be able to do life without her in it. If all he ever was to her is a friend, he would be happy. She brings a type of warmth and happiness that has been missing from his life for so long. He looks forward to her silly texts that she would surprise him with throughout the day. It may be trivial but it meant a lot to him.
Like a moth to a flame; he was drawn to her. In a moment with no light he felt emboldened to reach out and touch her. Slowly, he lowers his right hand to the valley in between them.
Olivia was let out of her trance when she sensed his movements. Unhurriedly, she turns her head to take him in. In the shadow of the night, she could feel his eyes on her like a hawk watching its prey. The feeling caused a slight shudder to run up her spine. Her eyes fall to the space between them.
Immediately understanding his gesture, she looks up at his face to gauge his reaction which was passive; and back down at his open invite. He was silently asking her to meet him halfway.
It felt like an eternity waiting for her to put her hand in his. He saw her hesitations and almost retreated his hand back to his side but he remained steadfast – waiting for her, seconds after seconds…he waited…
Her hand slowly travels from its resting place on her lap, making its way to be joined with his.
They held each other's eyes with breaths held in.
Like the wind brushing over your skin, was what he felt from her feather light touch; her fingers caress his work worn hand. Soft, dainty fingers, intertwines with his much tougher ones. Fitz let out a soft sigh of relief as he felt the connection of their fully joined hands.
Olivia's heart was beating fast; something that happens every time she was around him. They were holding hands and it felt so right and perfect. Her insides fuzzy and warm, her stomach doing back flips. She was feeling a multitude of emotions all at the same time.
Then their moment ended with the screech of the cab tires, arriving at their destination. The flooded light reveals their joined hands, with light comes realization; neither wanting to explore what their joined hands meant, they did the only thing they both knew how to do – build walls around themselves.
Fitz pays for the cab, Olivia too stunned by what had transpired between them, didn't even put up a fight.
To not arouse suspicions out of Abby and Stephen, they decided to enter the bar separately.
Olivia was the last to enter when she saw a table not too far from the door with Abby, Fitz, Stephen, the girl from the bar that Stephen was making out with the other night - whose name she'd forgotten, another girl and two guys that she didn't know, surrounding it.
Her stomach drops when she sees the unknown girl planting a kiss on to Fitz' cheek and he accepts it with a smile on his face.
Feeling her stomach drop, Abby loudly waves her over, "Liv! Woo-hoo!"
She plasters on a fake smile, making her way over to them.
Abby meets her halfway and intertwines one of her arms with hers.
"I have someone for you to meet. When I say hot, it's a major understatement."
Olivia's eyes immediately grew wide. "Abby, what are you doing?" she hisses through clenched teeth, feeling her panic level rising. She didn't do well with being put on the spot, like what's about to happen.
"Just relax, Liv," Abby almost slurred, leading her with a tight grip towards the table.
She could literally kill Abby right now. The closer she got to the table was the more apprehensive she felt. Several times her mouth opens to protest against being led blindly into a date. Olivia didn't retort to cussing often but she felt as though it was required now.
Walking up to the table, Olivia was afforded a better view of the guys. One was black and the other one Hispanic, both good looking.
"Look who I found," Abby giggled before making introductions. "Michael, this is my friend I've been raving to you about."
"Olivia, this is the cute cop that I told you I ran into one time at the hospital; that you would make a cute couple with," Abby excessively introduces. She did remember that time, they were riding back to the firehouse from making a hospital drop off and she'd clearly told her that she wasn't interested.
Olivia was mortified by the act, she literally wanted the ground to open up and swallow her hold. How can Abby do this to me? She asks herself. She was too ashamed to even look over into Fitz' direction. Fight or Flight, Fight or Flight, her conscience keeps offering as her only two options. Not wanting to do the latter, and appear immature, she marches to the drum of the tune already set for her.
"Nice to meet you, Michael," she proffers a right hand and a tight smile.
"Likewise," he grins like a Cheshire cat.
Michael ate up the attention and takes her hand in his, reveling at the softness of her skin. He was enthralled by her beauty, Abby's visual depictions didn't do her enough justice.
"Please have a seat," Michael gestures to the empty barstool on his left, leaving her to be seated opposite of Fitz.
Olivia gives him a small smile and takes the seat offered. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Abby scurrying over into the arms of the Hispanic guy. She tried hard not to look over at Fitz even though she could feel his penetrative gaze boring into her. Her heart couldn't handle watching him with another woman; so she refused to pay him any attentions.
A waiter came by and took their drink orders, she settled for a glass of water with lemon on the side.
"Well... since we all are here tonight, Marisa and I have some amazing news," Stephen announced.
That got everyone's attention.
With watchful eyes on him, Stephen continues, "We're getting married."
Marisa squeals excitedly at the end of his sentence.
Olivia, Fitz and Abby's heads all jerks back in astonishment. They were all surprised by the news as they'd only been "dating" for two weeks.
"Wow," the trio wasn't even sure who had said it or if they all did.
An awkward silence ensued from the table, no congratulatory words were offered at the couple's declaration.
Fitz being the first to regain his bearings, offers them one.
"Well I guess congratulations is in order," he voices with faux enthusiasm.
Olivia looked in his direction for the first time since entering the bar; she notices the young woman's uncanny resemblance to Stephen's fiancée sitting next to him. She wondered inwardly, if that was his type. Was he even willing to date outside of his race? And if so, with a black woman? All those questions swirled around her head. He never pegged her to be a conservative but he could still be holding reservations about dating outside of his race. Olivia looks away from his direction, feeling bitterness rising in her throat, she wanted nothing more than to retreat and take comfort inside of her home. Her stupor was abruptly broken when Abby's voice boomed.
"WHAT THE FUCK!?" she demands.
Her sudden outburst startles the entire table.
Stephen hastily got up to his feet, "Abby, calm down."
"NO! YOU WILL NOT TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! YOU KNOW THIS WENCH FOR 2 FUCKING WEEKS AND YOU'RE GOING TO MARRY HER? LIKE I SAID, WHAT THE FUCK?"
Before Stephen could reply, Marisa cuts in and points her index finger in Abby's direction.
"Stephen, when we get married she's the first to go. I will not allow you to have a female best friend because she's clearly jealous of us." Marisa didn't raise her voice but spoke calmly.
That only aggravated Abby and she continued on her rant.
"YOU'D PICK THAT BITCH OVER ME?" she asks; and when he didn't reply immediately, she demands, "ANSWER ME!"
Stephen stood in the middle of the two women as Abby move up to the head of the table. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He could never give up his best friend but he loves Marisa or so he thinks.
Olivia looked on with widen eyes, she couldn't believe what was happening in front of her. She always thought that Abby and Stephen would be together in the end. Was Abby jealous over him getting married? As absurd as the idea of them getting married was, she was merely shock and not angry unlike Abby.
Not interrupting the scene, she sat motionless, waiting to see what happens next; by now all of the surrounding patrons were doing the same. All eyes on Abby and Stephen.
"Abby, I –"
She didn't wait for him to finish before she started cursing at him, "FUCKING SAVE IT STEPHEN! I'M MOVING OUT! HAVE A GOOD FUCKING LIFE WITH THIS BITCH, WHO'S PROBABLY AFTER YOUR MONEY!"
Abby storms out of the bar, leaving them all staring after her.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU LET HER TALK TO ME LIKE THAT. LET'S GO MANDY!" Stephen's fiancée yells at him before snatching up her sister and also leaving.
The room was eerie quiet as the remaining occupants sat to see what else will happen.
"Wow what a fucking show" Michael jokes, and Olivia couldn't help but rolled her eyes disgustingly at his inappropriately timing.
Stephen glares at him and he took it as his warning to keep his mouth shut.
Fitz was ready to leave the awkward atmosphere but didn't want to leave Olivia; especially with the likes of Michael.
The sight of Michael leaning over to whisper something in her ear, had his jaw locked, fist clenched and nostril flared. His heart beats wildly as he tries to maintain his cool. Looking at them together had him wondering if Michael was her type. Maybe she didn't date white boys. He thinks to himself. He felt irrationally jealous and powerless in that moment. Olivia wasn't his. He had no rights to wait on her, she was her own person; she didn't need him babysitting her. The thought alone was driving Fitz to his feet to rush towards the door, but Olivia's voice stops him from moving.
"It was nice meeting you both. I'm leaving," she says blankly. Before waving at Michael and the other man who she'd never learned his name. She rises to her feet despite of the protests Michael was making for her to stay, she simply let it fall on deaf ears.
Walking around to Stephen, Olivia gives his shoulder an empathetic squeeze. Fitz did the same and they both left the bar within a few minutes apart.
Twenty minutes later, the cab pulled up in front of her apartment building. The ride over with Fitz was silent, both too occupied with their running thoughts.
Hopping out of the car first, she stood on the sidewalk and waited for Fitz to exit the vehicle.
A few seconds later, he joins her on the snowy sidewalk. The night air was icy cold, and with each breath that they took, they could see the white vapors.
Standing side by side, they watched the cab pulled off.
A few seconds of staring ahead at the twinkling Christmas lights, from the overly decorated building across the street, was broken when Fitz spoke.
"Can I ask you something?"
Olivia looks up at him through the corner of her eyes, "sure."
Lacking any reservations he asks, "Is there any chance for me?"
Olivia confused, arches an eyebrow at him.
Seeing her befuddled expression, he asks again, "Is there any chance?"
Olivia's breath hitched from the weight of what he was asking her. Little did he know that she had the same question.
Before she could've answered him, a cab pulls up to the curb, the door wildly swung open, revealing a disheveled Abby hurling out a huge suitcase.
Fitz and Olivia looked at each other and then back at Abby. Her cheeks were tear stained and hair rumpled on top her head.
She stood on the sidewalk in front of them and turns her attention to Olivia, "can I stay with you?"
Olivia feeling sorry for her nods yes. "Of course. Are you ok?"
"Let me get that for you," Fitz offers to carry her suitcase.
Refusing his help, Abby shakes her head no. "I can handle it myself," she spat.
Fitz steps back into place from her harsh refusal.
"I'm going to take her up," Olivia gives him an apologetic smile.
"Ok. We'll talk later?" he arches an eyebrow in her direction.
She nods her head yes.
Both ignoring Abby's presence, give each other a knowing look before breaking eye contact.
"Good night, ladies," he bids before heading towards his truck.
Olivia got Abby settled into her apartment; since her couch wasn't suitable for sleeping on, she blew up an air mattress that she'd bought on Black Friday; and placed it on the floor next to her bed.
Abby hadn't spoken a word the entire time, they had entered the apartment. She took a shower and brushed her teeth in an un-Abby like quietness.
Now they were both in their respective beds, looking up at the ceiling in the dark. A few minutes of quietness was broken when Abby spoke.
"You know that you were right?"
"Huh?" Befuddled by her statement, she asked.
"You always say that Stephen and me, are more than best friends and you were right… well to me he is more," her voice grew shaky. "I love him, Olivia," she whispers the last part like a secret.
"How could he not have realized that? For four years I've been waiting for him to notice me," by now her tears were falling freely.
Olivia turned on her side to study her friend through the darkness.
"What more can a guy want? I've been there for him each and every time he needed me. I was the one who looked after him when he was sick, cooked for him, cleaned up after him. I even allowed him to sow his wild oats because at the end of the day he came home to me. To me. Not to any of the skanks he slept with but me."
Olivia pushes her comforter off, in efforts to go and hug her but she raises her hands, stopping her from coming.
"I know I should've told him, after all, I'm the last person to shy away from telling a guy that I'm interested in them. But he's different, I wanted him to notice me too, because I couldn't face telling him how I truly feel, then to have him reject me. I would rather be his friend than be his almost lover."
Olivia truly felt bad for Abby, she'd never seen her so distressed before. Abby was always the life of the party but now she was a blubbering mess on her bedroom floor.
She hiccups when she started talking again, "Olivia," hiccup. "Don't give them anything, not even an inch, unless they're willing to give you more. Don't end up like me."
That was the last thing Olivia heard before Abby's soft snores permeates the room, leaving her to her thoughts. Of course those thoughts stemmed around Fitz, which only allowed fear to creep into her heart. What if the same happens to me? She asks herself.
Like if he could read her mind, she receives a text message from Fitz.
Fitz: Can we talk? I'll call you.
Olivia: I'm tired, can we do so tomorrow?
Fitz: Ok. Good night.
Olivia: Good night, Fitz.
As soon as Olivia plops down onto her pillow, negative thoughts plagued her mind. It gnawed at her conscience and creates a nervous roll in her stomach. In the quietness of the night, troubles seems to increase tenfold but yet she hoped that in the morning, things would be clearer, brighter, easier…
A/N. The two were getting along well until crazy Abby and Stephen inserted themselves. They're the drama within the story. Lol.
Thoughts on their little dinner at Liv's? Then almost kissing… Holding hands in the car and finally, Fitz asking, "is there any chance for me?" that part had me tearing up. Lol
Even though all of that happened, they're still several reservations between them.
Also, thoughts on the Abby/Stephen situation?
Thanks for reading and also leaving those lovely reviews that I look forward to.
Until next time,
XOXO.
