Chapter 20
Olivia
Robbie’s family is the nicest. Ever. I don’t know why I was so nervous. His sister immediately started talking to me about books and music and we found that we have so much in common. His nieces are adorable and were very curious about me. They’ve asked me every possible question in existence. I feel like the whole family knows every detail about me now.
Eli, Jordan, and Ash asked me lots of questions too, mostly about hockey since that’s the main thing we all have in common. Robbie told everyone how amazing I was on the ice in my beer league game, and the way he said it, like he was proud of me, made me so happy. I try to control my facial expressions, but on the inside I am an emotional mess. I don’t know how to respond to all this praise and tenderness. No one’s ever made me feel the way Robbie does.
My emotions must show on my face every time I look at Robbie though, because I catch Alice smiling at me multiple times during dinner. She has a knowing gleam in her eyes. Can she see how gone I am for him? How much I adore him?
The rest of the day passes too quickly in a happy blur. We have dinner together at a long table that fits all twelve of us. While earlier in the day it was beautifully decorated with ornaments and flowers, during dinner it was all replaced with lots and lots of dishes. The food was amazing and I can’t remember the last time I had such a feast for Thanksgiving. While my grandma and her roommates host one every year, they’re not as spry as they used to be and I am terrible at cooking. So our Thanksgivings usually involve some store-bought sides and desserts alongside a small turkey.
I will definitely regret eating all of this food tomorrow, especially since I have to work in the evening. At least I can sleep in and recharge a bit while Robbie goes to practice in the morning. The two of us, alongside Jordan, Ash, and Eli, left early so the guys could get a good night’s rest.
As we get inside the house we head straight to the bedrooms that are across from each other. I turn to tell him goodnight, but Robbie is already turned toward me lips parted like he’s about to say something. My eyes jump to his lips and I swallow. God, I want to know what he tastes like.
“Did you have a good day?” he asks in a low voice that sounds too sexy for the simple question he just asked.
“The best,” I say in a whisper and bring my eyes up to his. They are so full of longing and softness that for a moment I am stunned.
He takes a step towards me and reaches up to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. His hand lingers there, his thumb brushing my earlobe. I close my eyes and lean into his touch and he fully cups my cheek with his hand. As he starts stroking my cheekbone, I open my eyes and see him staring at my lips. Kiss me. Please.
“Goodnight, Olive,” he says softly and leans in. I hold my breath as he kisses my cheek, right where his thumb was caressing me earlier. He lingers for a beat, then steps back. I want to tell him to give me more. To kiss me for real. I want to grab him by his shirt and push him against the wall. I want to see if I can unravel him the way I know he could unravel me. Piece by piece.
But I don’t. Because I’m scared to make the first move. I don’t want to lose whatever friendship we’ve built so far if it turns out I’ve misread this whole thing. So I say, “Goodnight, Robbie.” Then we both go to our separate bedrooms.
That night, I dream of a kiss that could have been. Perfect. Needy. Explosive.
While Robbie is at practice, I expect to be alone with the cats, but I am pleasantly surprised when I get a text from Alice. We exchanged phone numbers the night before and she promised she would check in on me so I don’t get bored. I told her it would be fine, but she didn’t listen and I am glad for it. She shows up at the front door with pastries and coffee for us both and we spend hours chatting about books and, surprisingly, Robbie.
“So, Olivia. What are your intentions with my brother?” Alice asks out of nowhere.
“What do you mean?” I ask nervously.
She rolls her eyes and gives me a knowing smile. “Come on. I could see it written all over your face last night. The way you looked at him like he was the moon and the stars,” she sing-songs. “You like him.”
My cheeks burn and I look down at my lap as I give Beans some head scratches. I don’t know how to reply. I debate lying and saying we’re just friends. But what if she tells him that? That’s the last thing I want. My eyes get misty just thinking about the possibility of losing him.
Alice is quiet and lets me process my thoughts without prodding for a quick answer which I appreciate. When I look back up at her she’s not smiling smugly at me anymore. Her eyes are wide and concerned. “Olivia, I’m sorry. I—I didn’t mean to push. You don’t have to tell me anything?—”
“I think I might be in love with him,” I whisper on a shaky breath.
Alice looks at me for a moment but doesn’t say anything. Then her face breaks into a smile that resembles Robbie’s. “That’s amazing news.”
“Is it?” I say, and my voice breaks.
“Of course,” she says, pulling me into a fierce hug, “why wouldn’t it be? You two are perfect for each other.”
I can’t stop crying for some reason and while I feel bad for getting tears and snot all over Alice’s nice cashmere sweater, she started this. I blame her for my meltdown.
“I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“Losing him. If he knows how I feel but doesn’t feel the same, that might destroy everything we’ve built so far. I know we only met a month and a half ago, but we talk every single day. Is it pathetic that he’s the best part of my day?”
Alice pulls back and holds me by my shoulders. “Olivia, listen to me,” she says in a stern voice I haven’t heard her use before now. “Robbie is my best friend, he’s the person I always go to for sound advice. And you know what he always does when I’m in a predicament? He lists the facts. So that’s what I’m going to do for you. Okay?”
I nod, but my tears keep falling. What have I done to deserve the kindness and friendship of these amazing people?
“One, Robbie doesn’t bring dates to family events and holidays. Ever. Unless he’s serious about them. And this year, he brought you.
“Two, the night you two met, he couldn’t shut up about you.”
I snort. “Yeah, probably because I was a bitch to him on the ice.”
“That’s not the night I’m talking about. The one before. After the dinner at the brewery, he said he saw Ash talking to the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. And after he realized who you were, he was even more intrigued.”
He remembers me from that night at the brewery? I must have looked like such an idiot, with ketchup stains on my sweatshirt, ogling his big family.
“Three, he spent all of last weekend buying all your favorite snacks, and looking up decorations for the spare bedroom to make it more homey. If he had the time, he would have picked everything out and decorated it himself. I know my brother, and trust me, he feels the same about you.”
I’m quiet for a beat because I know she’s right. I can see the longing and want on his face every time he looks at me. I can also see how attuned he is to me and my feelings. He always makes sure I’m included in the conversation when we’re in a group, and he always listens to what I have to say, even if it’s something trivial.
“Why hasn’t he said anything?” I ask helplessly.
She sighs and pulls me in another hug. “I think he senses that you’re scared. And if I can describe my brother in one word, it’s patient. I promise you he’s either waiting for you to make the first move or biding his time until he senses some more confidence from you.”
I nod and hug her some more until I hear the garage door slam closed and footsteps coming towards the living room where we are. We break apart and I hastily wipe my tears away before Robbie can notice, but it’s too late.
He looks incredible. His cheeks are pink and his hair is still a bit damp from his shower. He’s wearing gray joggers and a black long sleeve fleece that hugs his body just right.
“Hey Roro,” Alice greets him, but he’s frozen to the spot, staring at me and frowning.
“Olive, why are you crying?” he says in a low voice and I notice his fists clenching at his side.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” I give him the best smile I can muster. Fuck. He won’t believe me, he never does when I say it’s nothing.
“Al, what did you do?” He turns his angry gaze on his sister and I can’t let her take the fall for this.
So I blurt out, “We were talking about a book. A really sad book.” I look at Alice and widen my eyes. Go along, please. She catches my eye and gives me a small nod.
“That’s right, we had pastries, and coffee, and delightful conversation that turned to books. One of our favorite characters dies at the end of this romance. It’s tragic.”
Robbie narrows his eyes at Alice and it’s clear that he doesn’t believe us, but he gives me a weary look. “You sure you’re okay? Also, that sounds like a shitty romance.”
“Yes, I promise. How was practice?” My diversion from the topic seems to work and Robbie tells us all about practice and the fan event they had to do, which is why he is back an hour later than planned.
We only have a few hours to kill until we have to head to the arena for tonight’s hockey game, so the three of us spend it having a small meal and watching Back to the Future II. Alice moves over to the oversized chair and lets me and Robbie share the couch with the cats, who once again join me. Robbie eyes me every few minutes but I try not to give anything away. I also don’t cry any more.
Because I have a plan.