5
Olivia
I stayed at the coffee shop for three hours after Josh left. I really needed to get some editing work done before starting this new job but I couldn't focus. That man has my head swirling in the best way possible!
I’ve been taking on clients privately; weddings, family photoshoots, and my favorite, newborn portraits. They are just so beautiful and getting to pose them however I want? Aww, it makes my ovaries tingle just thinking about it.
I wash my hair and body, and shave everywhere I can reach. I'm not taking any chances tonight.
After drying off, I apply my favorite moisturizer and check my phone.
Still no text from Josh. Maybe he’s changed his mind?
It’s almost 5pm, I should have heard from him by now.
After pulling on some sweats and an oversized t-shirt, I settle down at my makeup table and begin drying my hair.
My phone starts vibrating beside me and I immediately get butterflies.
That’s short lived when I see who's calling. It’s my best friend, Sasha.
Don't get me wrong, I love her, but I was hoping it was someone else.
Turning the hair dryer off, I answer the FaceTime call.
“Hey girl, what’s up?” I say, brushing out my now slightly damp hair.
“Hey! So I have a question. Well it’s more like a favor.
” I swear all of our calls start like this lately.
Before I moved here, I lived in New York which was a 5-hour drive from Sash but now it’s a quick 10-minute walk away.
I'm so thankful to have her close by but I feel like I should be getting some sort of compensation for all these “favors”.
“Depends on what it is…” I reply, a hint of skepticism in my tone.
“It’s an engagement shoot.” I immediately cringe. I have so much work going on right now and I'm about to start this new job. I don't have time to take on new clients and …
My thoughts are caught off by a high pitched squeal. “Because you know,” she pauses, “I got engaged last night!!” She screams, holding up her hand and showing off the gigantic engagement ring on her left hand.
“WHAT??? Oh my God, congratulations!” Tears well in my eyes and I try to blink them away. “He finally did it! It took him long enough.” Sasha and Max have been together since we were fifteen but they've been friends since they were kids. I joined the duo when I moved here at ten years old.
“Oh I know, girl. I was gonna tell you last night but we got a little busy, if you know what I mean.” She winks at me through the phone and I laugh.
“I'm pretty sure I know what you mean.” We both laugh now. “I'd be honored to do your shoot. Just let me know when you're thinking and I'll make it work.”
We stayed on the phone, talking for a while.
She tells me all about the proposal and what happened after.
My ears protested at that bit but she wouldn't stop! I check the time and deflate, my heart sinking in my chest as I realize it’s almost 6pm.
I don't think Josh is gonna text me. I'm truly hurt.
After that speech in the cafe today I thought he was sure about this. About me. Obviously, I was wrong.
“I need to get going.” I tell Sasha, tears burning the backs of my eyes.
“What just happened? What’s wrong?” She asks with concern in her voice.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just want to get dinner sorted and turn in for the night.”
“Nope, no. Do not bullshit me, Olivia. When you’re upset, your accent slips and right now you've gone full British. Tell me what's wrong.” Damn, she knows me too well.
“Ugh, fine.” I say reluctantly. I tell her all about Josh.
About how we met, how we ran into each other this morning and how it was the most incredible morning I've ever had with a man.
I mention how he begged me to go out with him and how I agreed, reluctantly at first. “But it’s 6pm and I haven't heard from him. Guess he changed his mind.”
“Fuck him, Olivia. Fuck. Him. If he can't see what a catch you are, that's on him. So you pick your head up, wipe that sad look off your face and come over here for a glass of wine and we’ll celebrate, okay?” I can always count on my best friend to put a smile on my face.
“Honestly, I just want to stay home tonight. I don't wanna dampen the mood when you should be happy.” I give her a small smile.
“Okay, I'm gonna be honest right now. Maybe this is for the best? If spending the morning with him at a coffee shop makes you feel so strongly about him, what's spending a week with him gonna make you feel? And then to give that up for your job? It's a heartbreak waiting to happen.”
“I guess you're right, Sash. It doesn't hurt any less though. And now I have to see him at work. Stare at photos of him on my laptop. What was I thinking agreeing to this in the first place?” I sigh in defeat.
“I’m gonna go order some takeout and watch reruns of Friends in bed. I'll talk to you soon, okay?”
“You’ll be okay, Olivia. Maybe by next week you'll not even remember his name.” I laugh.
“A girl can only dream. Congratulations again. Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
After I hang up the call, I gather my things and make my way to the kitchen. My apartment is small so it only takes me ten steps before I'm standing at the kitchen island.
As I'm pouring myself a glass of wine, my phone buzzes on the counter beside me. It's an unknown number but I answer it anyway.
“Hello.” I say, sounding disheartened.
“Olivia, hi.” It's him. He called. Even after all the emotions I've been feeling, his voice still causes my stomach to flip.
“I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to call. Practice ran late and then I just needed some time to think. Time sort of got away from me.” Honestly, he sounds just as run down as I do.
“It's fine, Josh. You don't owe me anything. Anyway, I've been thinking and-”
“No, wait. Don’t say anything yet, okay? I just… I wanna talk. In person. Can you send me your address?”
“Okay.” I say without hesitation. I want to see him. I need to see him. I need to hear his voice.
“I’ll see you soon.” With that, he ends the call.
I take a moment to slow my racing heart. Josh is coming here. To my apartment. I glance up at my messy apartment. I have photoshoot props lying around the space, coffee mugs scattered around on multiple surfaces, and is that… a bra? How did my bra get out here?
I move as fast as I can, tidying as much as possible.
I could win an Olympic sport with how quick I'm moving right now.
Putting the last of the mugs in the dishwasher, I take a look around.
Definitely better than it was before. The cream-colored couch is visible now that I've removed all the blankets, my reading corner is tidy and mug-free, the books lined up neatly in the bookshelf.
My photography equipment is safely back in the small storage closest beside the front door.
And when I say safely I mean that I shoved it all in there and shut the door as fast as I could so that it didn't fall out again. Oh, and my bra is no longer in sight.
I light a few candles to make the place seem more comfortable. I'm not sure if that'll help with the conversation we’re about to have but it's worth a try.
As I'm putting the matches away, the doorbell rings. Shit, he's here.
I pause for a second. Breathe Olivia. Just breathe.
How the fuck do I not remember how to breathe?
In my wild state of panic, I look down and that’s when I noticed what I'm wearing.
I wonder if I'd have time to quickly change?
I look like I've just been dragged through a bush and landed in a puddle of mud, then got attacked by a wild animal. Okay, so I don’t look that bad but my shirt is so old it has holes in it and is that a wine or blood stain? Fuck.
The doorbell rings again. I just need to answer it. Maybe it's better that I look like this for this conversation.
I walk towards the door, turn the lock and take a deep breath.