Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Olivia
“You scared the hell out of me, Kate,” I say tightly, trying to keep my voice from cracking.
I reach to pick up my keys from the floor. They landed there after Kate opened her apartment door just as I was sliding the key into the lock of mine.
Screaming my name in excitement, she grabbed my shoulders from behind.
That sent both of my hands into the air, and my keys and phone crashing to the floor.
My phone was my first concern, but luckily the heavy-duty case that I was talked into buying by the smartphone salesman saved my screen.
“What are you doing here?” I unlock my door and take a step into my place. “I thought you were going to your store.”
Following me inside, she flicks on the light switch. “I have a confession to make.”
Watching her lock the door, I shrug out of my trench coat. “What confession?”
She takes the coat from me and hangs it on the rack near the doorway. “I’m sorry for scaring you, Liv. You look like you might pass out. Do you want to sit down?”
“I’m fine.” I manage a small smile. “Tell me about the confession.”
She leads the way into my living room. She’s changed since I saw her at the restaurant. She’s now dressed in navy blue yoga shorts and a white T-shirt.
I’m envious. I want to trade my skirt and blouse for pajamas, but we still have plans to try on dresses to wear to the symphony.
She takes her usual spot on my couch, patting the spot next to her. “Sit.”
I do, kicking off my shoes in the process.
I breathe an audible sigh of relief. “My feet are killing me.”
A small giggle escapes her. “I know the feeling. I couldn’t get my heels off fast enough tonight.”
I look down at her feet and the thick gray wool socks covering them. “Did you go back to your store after dinner?”
“That’s the confession. I didn’t.” She catches my gaze. “I thought you’d appreciate some alone time with Alexander, so I lied about that.”
I can’t be mad at her. I’ve done the same to her, but Kate’s heart is still caught back in a relationship that ended years ago. She dates but those men never measure up to her ex-fiancé. He bailed on her just before their wedding.
“I didn’t overstep, did I?” She blinks innocently. “You can’t blame me, Liv. It’s obvious that he’s interested in you.”
“He’s not,” I whisper.
She heaves a sigh. “He’s interested in you.”
“He makes me nervous,” I laugh. “I don’t feel like myself when I’m around him.”
Her brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
I scan her face. I only see concern there. Kate wants me to be happy. I want the same for her. She’s heard enough of my tales about the men I’ve slept with to know that I don’t rush into anything, not even first dates.
I can be honest with her. She’ll never judge me.
“I feel flustered whenever I see him.” I rub the back of my neck. “I know his type. I avoid his type so I don’t understand why I’m feeling…”
“Attracted to him,” she interrupts me.
I shrug. “Is that what I’m feeling?”
“What’s his type?” she asks without answering my rhetorical question. “Define what type of man Alexander Donato is.”
I pause to think about it. “First impressions are everything and that day he came into the boutique I saw an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk who wanted everyone in his vicinity to bow to his demands.”
She shakes her head. “You saw a man desperate to give his nephew a birthday gift to remember.”
“You weren’t there,” I point out with a laugh. “You didn’t see what he was like that day.”
The corner of her mouth lifts into a lopsided grin. “I was there tonight. I saw what he was like.”
I raise a brow to question what that means.
“He was polite and considerate. He’s charming,” she says quietly. “He couldn’t take his eyes off of you, Olivia.”
“He wanted to buy me a drink after you and Jack left.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I made a fool of myself. My phone was dead. I thought he was trying to help me with my nipples, and…”
“What?” She laughs aloud. “You have to explain that one. You thought he was trying to help you with your nipples?”
I laugh too because I know how it must sound to her. “That came out wrong.”
“You think?” She wraps an arm around my shoulder. “I’m sure if he could he’d help with your nipples and all the other bits of you.”
I cover my face with my hands. “Let’s not go there.”
“Why not?” She squeezes my shoulder. “You’re attracted to each other. Why not act on it?”
“Well…” I start to protest, but can’t think of any reason why I shouldn’t consider having sex with Alexander.
“Don’t overthink it.” She moves to stand. “Just go with what you’re feeling in the moment. Sometimes it’s good to be spontaneous.”
She gave me the same advice last week when I couldn’t decide what to order for dinner.
“It’s time to try on some dresses.” She reaches for my hand. “Let’s find you something to wear to the symphony that will blow Alexander’s mind so later that night you can blow him.”
I let her tug me to my feet. “I don’t blow on the first date.”
“You’re no fun.” She grins and squeezes my hand. “Never change, Liv. You’re a fiercely independent woman that any man would be lucky to spend time with.”
“I hate that he makes me nervous.” I bow my head. “It makes me feel out of control.”
Her fingers find my chin and she tips it up until our eyes meet. “Nervous can be good. He’s different than other men you’ve met. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
I nod. “You’re right.”
“Take it one step at a time.” She grins and starts walking toward my bedroom. “Step one is wardrobe selection. Let’s get to it.”