Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Olivia
I watch Kate as she takes a sip of the smoothie. Her eyelids flutter shut.
“It’s good, right?” I tuck my yoga mat under my arm. “I told you it was worth the subway ride.”
We came to Washington Square Park after our yoga class. We hadn’t been in weeks, but when I woke up this morning with a sharp pain in my shoulder, I knew that I needed a good workout.
I could have experienced that last night if I had invited Alexander up to my apartment.
“It’s amazing.” She takes another drink. “We should find a yoga studio close to here so we can grab these smoothies as soon as we’re done class. It would save us the subway ride and a lot of time.”
Time.
It’s the most valuable currency in Kate’s life.
She busies herself at her bridal shop to avoid facing her pain. Gage Burke, the man who broke her heart, damaged her in ways he may never be aware of.
She tells me often that she’s put their breakup in her rearview mirror, but it’s a lie.
Her days are packed with work, friends and whatever else she can cram into the remaining few hours before she falls asleep.
“There’s one two blocks over.” I point down the street. “I took a class there once. I liked it. I’ll book us in for one next week?”
“That works for me,” she chirps. “How did you find out about this smoothie cart?”
“The manager of the store on Fifth Avenue.” I start to walk back toward the subway stop. “She stopped by my office one day to bring me one.”
Kate falls in step beside me, bumping her yoga mat against mine. “She knows how to impress the boss. Did it work?”
I laugh through a nod of my head. “It worked.”
She sighs softly. “You haven’t said anything about what happened last night, Liv. You met up with Alexander after we left the bar, right?”
A chill races through me. I should have grabbed a coat before I left my apartment tonight. I’m relying on my off-the-shoulder sweater and my yoga pants to keep me warm. They’re failing miserably.
“Where did you meet him?”
I smile, knowing that Kate will understand. “At the tea shop.”
She laughs. “Our tea shop?”
I shrug. “It seemed like the perfect place. I wanted a cup of tea and it’s close to home.”
“It’s also incredibly unromantic,” she points out. “Was he disappointed?”
We stop to wait for the light to change before we cross the street. “He’s a regular there.”
“You’re kidding?” She sways in place. “He’s been there before?”
I return the smile of a man who stops next to us before I look back at Kate. “That’s what he told me.”
We cross the street in silence as soon as the light changes.
Once we’re back on the sidewalk, she narrows her eyes. “Did anything worth mentioning happen last night or are you two still playing that game of cat and mouse?”
“We kissed.”
She stops mid-step. “You kissed?”
I move out of the way of a woman pushing a twin stroller. I gaze down at the two little boys as they pass.
“How was it?” Kate nudges my side with her elbow. “Is he a good kisser?”
I don’t hesitate because I know she’ll pester me until I tell her. “The best.”
Her lips curve into a smile. “You deserve the best, Liv.”
I push her to start walking again. “I want to catch the next train.”
“Did it go beyond a kiss?”
I shake my head. “Just a kiss.”
She stares at me for a minute. “The best love stories always start with a kiss.”
I glance around, looking at each person as they pass us by. “All love stories start with a kiss. Some end with a broken heart.”
Her head tilts. “Don’t be a pessimist. You kissed a hot guy. You’re probably going to fuck that hot guy. If you focus too much on the future, you’ll forget to have fun in the present.”
“That’s written on the side of your smoothie cup, isn’t it?”
“Not the fucking part, but the rest…” she shrugs her shoulder. “The rest is.”
I bow my head and laugh. “Thanks for the advice. I’ll be sure to have fun.”
“That’s all I want.” She starts in the direction of the subway. “I want that and all the details when kissing Alexander turns to more.”
“That’s not happening.” I raise a finger in the air and wiggle it at her. “What happens in my bedroom stays in my bedroom.”
She tosses me a look. “Make it happen soon, Olivia. At least one of us should be doing something in our bedroom besides sleeping.”
Alexander: I want you to meet someone.
I sit on the edge of my bed and read the text message he sent me again. He wants me to meet someone.
I reply in the most obvious way.
Olivia: Who?
I slide under the covers, pulling the thick blanket around me. I showered when I got home an hour ago. The chill I felt after yoga class was washed away under a hot stream of water.
I glance down when my phone chimes.
Alexander: It’s a surprise.
Before I can type anything, he’s sent another message.
Alexander: Tomorrow at six.
I didn’t think I’d see him tomorrow, so I’m in.
Olivia: Where?
I watch the three dots bounce on the screen as he types a reply.
Alexander: A car will be waiting for you in front of your building.
Reading the message twice, I rest my head on my pillow.
Olivia: Fancy or casual?
His response is instant.
Alexander: Casual. I’ll see you tomorrow, Olivia. Goodnight.
I drop my phone on my nightstand and close my eyes.
I have no idea who Alexander wants me to meet tomorrow, but I hope that the night will end with another kiss and maybe more.