13. Olive
13
OLIVE
I flip over onto my back and stretch, then let my gloriously sore, exhausted body melt into the cloudlike mattress. I replay every amazing moment since I met Leo yesterday. How his mesmerizing honey gaze ignited a sultry heat that coursed through my veins the whole night. Pleasure pulses through my blood, making me ache between my legs. Nope, not going there.
Leo and I partied until we were almost the last ones to leave. As we strolled to my suite, we joked about Bethany and her antics to get Leo’s attention on the dance floor. Of course, my duties as his fake girlfriend ended as soon as we said goodbye and I closed the door. I could’ve asked him to stay, but my gut told me not to. Not because I had a bad feeling—the undeniable sexual tension was there and welcomed. But I want to take my time. I don’t want us to be a one-and-done type of thing. Leo is special.
The last thing I remember is Leo’s exuberance when he hugged and kissed me on the cheek goodbye. Yes, only the cheek. That moment was more intimate to me than the kiss at midnight. I think we both got something unexpected from meeting each other yesterday.
I think about what Tonya said. He’s holding back . Seriously, what would he be like in full force? As the entire conversation repeats in my head, I get emotional too. It breaks my heart knowing that he’s been through something that changed him so drastically.
Just like me.
We’re more alike than I thought. I’m only here for a week, though. He probably won’t tell me what happened.
I still can’t believe I met Samuel Moore. Before we left, Ellie and I exchanged phone numbers and as soon as I got back, I looked her up on Instagram. She’d already followed me. What alternate universe did I get thrown into?
Oh, shit. What kind of sister am I? It’s Andy’s birthday! I should’ve messaged him last night, but I fell asleep as soon as I got into bed. Hopefully Leo sent me the pictures like he said he would.
I throw off the comforter and shiver. Brr. It’s damn cold in here. I put on the fluffy white robe that came with the suite, turn up the heat, then head to the other room to get my phone. The red single-serve coffee machine near the sitting area catches my eye. Coffee before phone! While my favorite beverage brews, I enjoy the beautiful view outside.
Sunrays poke through heavy clouds. The lanterns in our tree sway gently in the breeze. Our tiny bench is visible in the daylight. I laugh. Our tree. Our bench. Different footpaths lead in various directions. I can’t wait to walk around and take pictures, maybe find Leo’s cottage.
I prepare my coffee, grab my phone, and return to bed. Stacking the pillows, I rest against them and get comfortable. After a few delicious sips of steaming rich coffee, I’m ready to deal with what’s on my phone.
I unlock it. WhatsApp shows forty-five messages—not bad. I expected more. Friends, old coworkers from the LA hospital, Mom, Andy, Uncle Bruce, and Leo. My stomach flips. Of course, I open Leo’s message first.
Leo: Thanks for a great time last night. Here are the pictures. Hope to see you soon.
Hope to see you soon? That’s a good sign, right?
I scroll through the photos. We look plastered in some of them, but we weren’t. Then I find the bathroom selfies he took. I zoom in and touch the screen, wishing he were here with me, cuddled up in my bed. He’s like sunshine on a rainy day.
Whoa, I have such a crush. It’s a foreign feeling and concept for me. If I looked in the mirror right now, I’d probably see hearts floating above my head. It’s kind of pathetic, but I grin and download the pictures for safekeeping.
Next, I open Andy’s messages. They include new year greetings, complaints about me not responding to him or Mom, and a three-minute accidental video of him moving around. I attach some pictures with Sam to a new message.
Me: Happy birthday and New Year! Yes, I’m alive, and check out who I partied with last night.
I send it, then watch eagerly for his reaction. My hand twitches when the phone rings. We agreed to only text this week, but I need to rub this in his face.
“Hello, this is Samuel Moore’s fan club. How can I help you?” I bite back a laugh.
“I call bullshit. There’s no fucking way that’s really him,” Andy challenges. “That has to be a look-alike or a life-size cardboard statue.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, brother, but he was in the flesh in front of me. I crashed his party. Kind of.”
“Crashed a party? This is my sister Olive, right?”
“Yes, and it was the best night ever!”
“Too loud. Hungover,” he moans.
“Sorry.” Not really. “If you made it back to my place, go to my medicine cabinet and take some painkillers and drink lots of water.”
“At Uncle Bruce’s.” He grunts. “There I was, stuck listening to Mom complaining about your escape and not hearing from you—and you were hanging out with our favorite soccer player!”
When I hear him describe his night like that, I feel a twinge of guilt. “Hey, you pushed me to meet new people. That’s exactly what happened. And I didn’t even have to try. I met a guy who works here and the rest is history.”
“Oh, ho, really ? You work fast. What’s his name? Is he in any of the pictures?”
“His name is Leo. He’s the guy with golden-brown, curly hair. Half of it is up in a bun.”
He huffs. “You and your long-hair obsession. And—wait a second. Olive! Your smile! I can see your teeth and it’s reaching your ears. It’s amazing how happy you look. Now tell me everything . Leave nothing out. Does he have a sister?”
For the next half hour, I share all the juicy details.
“How did that all happen since yesterday? It sounds like you’ve been there for days.”
“I know, right? Anyway, I haven’t danced like that since LA. It’s like I let out all my frustrations on the dance floor.”
“It sounds like it.”
I tell him what Tonya said in the bathroom. “If he wants to tell me about his past, then I’ll listen. It’s not like I’m going to dump all my baggage on him.”
“Don’t tell him too much about your issues. You need to stay his fake friend until next soccer season.”
“That ended when he left my room. Sam and his wife were really cool to hang out with. But get this. They said you and I should go to one of Sam’s home games with Leo.”
“Fuck yes. Work it, girl. But all jokes aside, are you going to see Leo again?”
“I really hope so.” I huff. “What am I saying? I could see him today and he could act like a different person. That would be mortifying.”
I pull my legs up to my chest and rest my chin on my knees. My insecurities shoot to the surface again. Ugh! What if that happens? It won’t, Olive. It isn’t high school. He was too sweet when we said goodnight, and he sent me the pictures not long after he left. I can’t imagine him acting like it meant nothing; there was too much electricity sparking between us for that to happen.
“Worry about it when you see him next. Promise me you’ll keep an open mind. I know how easily you shut down and hide from people. Now’s not the time.”
“I promise I’ll try.”
“No matter what, I’m proud of you. Living it up with a celebrity on the first night already.”
“Whatever. I’m glad I didn’t get drunk. Oh, and it’s total bullshit what Mom and Dad said about this island. So far, everything I’ve seen is beautiful. Not that I’ve seen much. They don’t know what the hell they’re talking about.”
“Send me some pictures,” he says through a yawn.
I sink further under the covers. “Will do.”
“Anyway, I have to show my face downstairs since I’m the birthday boy. Maybe I’ll get a toy truck this year.”
Gotta love him. “You’re crazy. Sorry I’m not there to celebrate or to give you a present.”
“I’m not. You’re doing exactly what you needed to do, and that’s enough. Hanging out with me wouldn’t help you. Anyway, go have fun. Don’t forget to drop Mom a message.”
“I don’t want to,” I grumble.
“You have to. Keep taking the new year by the balls. And don’t send Mom the picture of you with a bunch of strangers. She’ll have a heart attack. I don’t have the energy to deal with that shit right now.”
I wish him a happy birthday again before we hang up, then I write Mom a quick message. Before she responds, I lay my phone on the nightstand and force myself out of bed. Time to get this day started.
* * *
Where’s the ibuprofen when you need it? My legs were already killing me before I tortured myself on the exercise bike for twenty minutes. What was I thinking? Stupid resolutions.
Now I’m sitting in my underwear in the empty locker room, an oversized towel wrapped around me, trying to find the courage to go into the sauna. What if there are people in there from the party? What if I can’t handle the heat and steam?
I am naturally a bashful person, and my self-confidence has plummeted since leaving LA. I’m overweight with an hourglass figure—if a man likes big butts, I’m his gal. Despite Leo making me feel like the most desirable woman last night, sitting around in a towel with other people has the opposite effect. It doesn’t help that the sauna is co-ed, and some people go naked. Or is that only true outside the US? I don’t know. The thought alone makes me want to chicken out.
But I won’t. It’s now or never.
I resecure my towel over my chest and dangle the locker key band from my wrist. I make my way out of the locker room and head to the sauna. As I approach, someone leaves. Before the door closes, I peek inside and spot one other person. Okay, I can do this. Just open the door and find a seat as quickly as possible without looking at them.
Here I go. I’m vaguely aware of the other person as I drag myself to the far corner. I cast my eyes down and breathe through the steamy heat. Immediately, I cough in the thick, humid air. Yeah, I won’t last long in here.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch the other person leave. Phew . I lift my head, roll my shoulders, and stretch my neck. This wooden bank is smooth but hard and uncomfortable to sit on. And I’ll be honest, it grosses me out that others have been sitting in the same place, sweating their asses off. Where are the disinfectant wipes when you need them? I’m glad my towel is long enough that it covers where I’m sitting.
Before I can fully relax and enjoy having this place to myself, the door squeaks open and someone enters. I readjust my towel to ensure I’m still covered, including my upper thighs. Sweat drips down my neck, and I wipe my brow with my forearm. This is brutal. How can it be healthy?
“Fancy meeting you here,” a familiar voice says. “The one person I can’t seem to get out of my mind.”
My heart leaps, and I quickly raise my head, a smile already on my face. I can’t hold back with him. I’m an open book.
Oh, for the love of everything good and holy. Another surge of warmth envelops my body. Is it possible to burst into flames in a sauna? I don’t know if it’s from the stifling temperature in the room or the delicious sight before me.
Leo stands near the closed door, a towel wrapped low around his narrow waist, revealing his sun-kissed, sculpted shoulders, broad chest, chiseled arms, and lightly defined abs. His build is lean and athletic, not bulky. There’s a faint dusting of hair across his chest and around his belly button. His unruly hair is pulled back in a bun, with stray tendrils framing his face and neck.
He might not be perfect to anyone else, but he’s perfection in my eyes. This image is going into my memory bank. It’s only the second day here, and I get to see this much of his bare skin? Go me!
Suffering in this steam cooker is worth it.
“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he says with a wide grin, resting his hands on his hips.
“I’m a little jumpy,” I admit. “Sauna virgin over here. I don’t usually hang out with half-naked strangers.” Don’t make this awkward, Olive.
“Well, I’m no stranger. Just imagine that we’re wearing bathing suits. They cover less than our towels, and we don’t find that uncomfortable.”
“That’s debatable,” I mutter, fiddling with the edge of the towel.
How is he this relaxed? It’s no different from how he acted yesterday. It’s me who’s being awkward. I can’t help it. He’s standing there like a top model shooting a sauna ad, and I’m wrapped up so tightly that I’m going to turn blue soon. This is far out of my comfort zone, which is a good thing, but…but…but…
I’m so exposed.
“Can I sit by you instead of talking across the room? Or would you like me to leave you alone?”
My heart pounds rapidly, and it’s hard to inhale deeply. Loosen up, Olive . I pat the bench next to me and smirk. “Come on over, BFF.” See, that was easy.
His face lights up, and he sits down about two feet away. I try not to peruse his body, but I’m no saint. I can’t help but wonder where that light patch of brown hair below his belly button leads. Of course I know, but you know what I mean. Don’t think I didn’t see the large bulge behind the towel. Eyes above the collarbone, Olive. Focus on your breathing.
“Is this your first time in a sauna?”
“Yes. I’m pushing myself to try new things this year. And here I am, thinking I’d be alone.” His face falls. “No. No. Sorry, that came out wrong. I was really hoping I’d see you again. Though not necessarily in a sweatbox.” I’m rambling.
“But we’re BFFs, and I saw you sweating last night when you were tearing up the dance floor.”
I snicker. “You know this is different.”
“I know. Just trying to help you relax.”
“You seem to be good at that.” Not right now, though. My skin has a heartbeat, and I’m slightly woozy. Keep talking . “Thanks again for last night and the pictures. My brother was uber jealous when he saw them. Ellie, Sam, and Tonya are really nice.”
“I had a quick breakfast with Ellie and Sam before they checked out. They told me to say goodbye to you. Then I worked for a couple of hours and went for a run. Now I’m here.”
“Perfect timing.”
“I was going to call to see if you wanted to join us for breakfast, but I didn’t want to wake you up or monopolize your time.”
I almost reach out to nudge his bare leg. “Don’t be crazy. Monopolize as much as you want while I’m here. I’ll turn back into a pumpkin at the end of the week.”
“Be careful what you ask for, Cinderella. I might do that.” He casually leans back on his forearms. The heat doesn’t seem to bother him at all. His sweaty skin glistens like he rubbed oil all over his body.
I watch as a solitary drop of sweat cascades leisurely along his temple, gliding over his cheek, making its journey down his throat, trailing along the contours of his chest. I tilt my head, then lightly trail my hand down my neck and chest. He follows my every move and focuses on where my hand is. My body yearns for him to touch me the way he rubbed against me on the dance floor when “Senorita” and other erotic songs were playing. I lick my lips and blink the sweat out of my eyes. The room sways.
“Are you okay, Olive?” he asks, leaning toward me. “Your face is beet red, and you’re breathing heavily. Is the heat too much for you?”
I push my damp hair away from my face, thankful that he can’t tell I’m lusting over him. “I’d love nothing more than to stay and talk with you, but I’m feeling a little dizzy.” His closeness is making it worse, and he needs to put some damn clothes on. My heart can only take so much heat. “I think I’m going to have to cut this short.”
I stand abruptly and lose my balance. My knees are seconds away from giving out, but I manage to grab the bench. I breathe in, but the steam is too much. My air passages feel obstructed, and I gasp. Panic sets in when I can’t inhale. Memories of my time in the hospital, watching people drown from the fluid in their lungs, flash through my mind like a slideshow.
“I can’t bre?—”
Leo is quickly at my side and wraps his arm around my waist. “Small steps forward. We’re almost at the door. You’ll be fine once we’re outside.”
I inhale again and again, but nothing is going in. Click. Click. Click. This time I’m part of the slideshow, gasping for air that never comes. Fear rattles my body, and I hold on to Leo with a death grip. I’m going to die like the others.
My butt hits a hard surface, then a cool breeze tickles my upper half. I hear a gasp. Something covers my shoulders and breasts, then someone captures my quivering hands. What’s happening?
“Olive, look at me. You’re in the locker room now.”
I force my eyes open and meet Leo’s concerned gaze and realize his lips are pressed against my clenched hands.
“Should I take you to the hospital?”
I shake my head wildly and try to move, gulping for air.
“Okay, okay. I need you to calm down and catch your breath. Keep your eyes on me and focus on your breathing. I’ll do it with you.” He puts my hand on his chest and inhales deeply. I follow. “Come on. Relax with me. In and out.”
Slowly the panic dissipates, my heart rate decreases, and my breathing evens out. Leo cups my cheek with one hand. “There you go. Keep breathing. You need to drink some water.”
“I have a bottle in my locker,” I say, my voice weak. Leo pulls the key chain off my wrist and fetches the bottle quickly.
He opens it, then places it in my hand. “Here you go.” I guzzle the refreshing liquid. He takes the empty bottle and hurries out of the room. Seconds later, he comes back with it refilled and hands it to me again. “Drink as much as you can.”
He takes a fresh hand towel, kneels before me, and gently wipes my face.
“I’m sorry.” A tear slides down my cheek.
He wipes it away with his thumb. “Why?”
“I didn’t want you to see me like that.”
“I won’t lie. You scared me, Olive. Did you have a panic attack?”
I nod. “That and I couldn’t handle the heat. Thank you for not calling anyone and for taking care of me. I despise hospitals.” I take several careful, measured breaths. “I think I’m okay now.”
He kisses my forehead, then stands up. It finally hits me we’re in the ladies’ locker room. I look down to see a towel draped over my shoulders and chest. The other one is pooled at my waist.
I tighten the one around my shoulders. “You saw me naked?”
He winces. “When you sat down, the towel broke loose. My focus wasn’t on your body, Olive. I covered you up again as fast as I could. Don’t be embarrassed.”
I huff. “This is not how I imagined you seeing me naked.”
“If it’ll make you feel any better, my towel dropped at one point too.”
“Well, that’s not fair. Not sure that would’ve calmed me down.”
“I didn’t see you completely naked. But let’s focus on the fact you were thinking about it. And when was that?”
“I’ll never tell.” I look up at him innocently. “And I’m glad we can joke about this.”
His goofy grin is on full display. How can he make me laugh at a moment like this? Can I take him home with me when the week is up? I already dread the moment I drive off the ferry and return home.
“I told you last night you were gorgeous. It’s up to you to believe it.”
I nod, then take another sip of water. “Shit, that was intense,” I mutter a few moments later. Leo sits next to me, his muscular thigh visible where the towel parts. Can this day be anymore torturous? “I knew the potential side effects, but?—”
“You either love it or you hate it,” he finishes my sentence.
“Hate’s an understatement. I should’ve been more careful, but someone was monopolizing my quality time and I didn’t want to leave.” I nudge him lightly with my elbow.
“Sorry.” He places his hand on mine, intertwining our fingers. My inhibitions fly out the window from that one simple movement. “You must be feeling better if you can joke like that.”
I ensure my body is covered, then I stand. “I’m much better. Thank you. All I need is more water and a cool shower back in my room.” I reluctantly let go of his hand and take a step toward my locker.
“Can I walk you back? I’d feel better knowing you’re okay.” He looks up at me, his eyes pleading.
“Don’t you have more sweating to do in the sauna or work?”
“I’m done with the sauna today, and unfortunately, have to work again tonight.” He stands, then steps closer to me. “I’d much rather be with you.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Even when I’m a sweaty mess.”
His eyes trace up and down my body, then catch mine. “I’ll take you any way I can have you.” Whoosh! There’s that fire again.
With my finger, I trace a line from his collarbone down to his chest. Goose bumps follow the trail, and his breathing increases. He quickly clasps his hands in front of his groin. My eyes stay trained on his. “You keep sweet-talking me like that, and I’ll be whoever you want me to be.”
This is way too much fun. I’m seconds away from letting these towels slip to the floor! I’m never this bold! And to think, just a few minutes ago, I was on the brink of death.
Leo wags his finger. “No acting. I want the real you.”
His undeniable interest in me is such an unexpected surprise, I can hardly resist touching him. I don’t think one week with Leo will be long enough.