Disclaimer: As you all know, characters aren't mine. They belong to Dick Wolf and NBC.

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Day 4: Providence26: something revolving around Liv's mother's books and maybe a book club.

Universe: College AU

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Alex rolls her eyes. "I think what the author was trying to say that we're all destined to fall in love when it comes down to it."

Olivia scoffs. "You're not serious, are you?"

Alex turns on her, eyebrow quirked. "And I suppose you have a better idea?"

"As a matter of fact, I do."

"Well let's hear it then."

Olivia smirks. "The author was trying to say that love is a figment of our imagination and the only person we ever need in our lives is ourselves."

"You're serious?" Alec shakes her head, holding up her own battered copy of the book, "you're trying to tell me that this book is about nothing more than the belief that love is nothing more than a figment of our imagination? This book?"

Olivia leans back in her chair and grins. "That's exactly what I'm telling you."

"While you're wrong. You have to be."

"Why do I have to be wrong?"

"The central theme of this book is love and the effect it has on individuals and civilizations."

"So?"

"How can the central theme and what the author is trying to tell us be two absolutely conflicting ideas?"

The book club leader claps her hands, standing to get the group's attention. "I think that's enough for today," she says, looking between Olivia and Alex. "How about we pick up again next week?"

Olivia sighs, stashing her book and her bag. She stands and slings her bag over her shoulder, heading to the classroom exit. She steps out into the hallway and pulls out her phone, checking for any new messages from her mother.

"Excuse me?"

Olivia looks up to see Alex standing in front of her. "Please tell me you're not out here to argue with me."

Alec shakes her head, laughing. "No," she says, "I wanted to see if maybe you wanted to get coffee with me?"

Olivia smirks. "You know I'm right, don't you?"

Alex rolls her eyes. "Actually I wanted to pick your brain about the book; you seem to know an awful lot about it."

Olivia shrugs. "Well I should," she says. "My mom wrote it."

Alex groans. "That's not fair."

Olivia smirks. "I like to see what other people think about it. I think it's my favorite of the ones that she's written." She playfully bumps her shoulder into Alex's. "Your ideas are by far the best ones I've come across far."

"I bet you say that all the girls," Alex says, smirking.

Olivia grins. "Surprisingly no," she says. "Usually I just ask them to come home with me and I'm so naturally charming that they can't say no."

Alex laughs. "A little full of yourself, aren't you?"

"I like to think of it as being honest."

"You're impossible," Alex laughs. "These lines actually work?"

Olivia shrugs. "You're intrigued, aren't you?"

Despite herself, Alex grins. "I am."

Olivia smirks, so casually confident. "Come home with."

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Later that night as Olivia throws book after book onto her bed, Alex sits with her knees pulled up to her chest, covered by the thin sheet on Olivia's bed. "I can't believe that worked."

Olivia grins, kissing Alex quickly. "I told you it would."

Alex laughs, shaking her head. "You're impossible."


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