18. Olive
18
OLIVE
I turn around one more time in front of Tonya’s bedroom mirror. “Are you sure this outfit looks okay? Should I wear the dark green shirt instead?” It’s only the millionth time I’ve asked.
“No to the green one. The outfit you’re wearing now is perfect. If Leo isn’t in love with you already, he will be by the end of the night. His tongue will hang out like a little doggy’s,” she says, folding and stacking my new clothes on the bed.
An unattractive snort slips from my lips. “Whatever.”
I look over my shoulder into the mirror. My ass looks perky in these black pants that hug my curves. Tonya noticed when we were shopping how uncomfortable I am with my body, and she suggested I wear a bodysuit that smooths everything out. It’s a big hype right now. I thought it was silly till I tried it on. I ended up buying a black lace one with a nude underlay and two others.
All I can say is, wow! I feel a whole size smaller. My boobs look amazing in the low-cut burgundy shirt I’m wearing, and I can see my waistline again. To top it off, this thing is sexy and comfortable. Whoever came up with this design deserves the amount of money I spent on it. And don’t get me started on the sexy black boots I bought for 50 percent off. It’ll be nice to have a little more height tonight when I’m standing next to Leo.
What was supposed to be a shopping day turned into an afternoon makeover session. I never made it back to the hotel. After brunch, we stopped at Tonya’s hairstylist to reschedule an appointment. Once she had a new one, the conversation veered off course, and I found myself sitting in the chair with wet hair, discussing hairstyles I liked.
I’m not a flashy person by nature. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, don’t dye my hair, and don’t wear nail polish. Bright lipstick is an absolute no. Other people can wear it all they want; I don’t like how it looks on me. But I let them do a makeover.
The stylist turned me away from the mirror so I couldn’t see what she was doing. Tonya stayed the entire time, and her approving animated facial expressions during the process decreased my reluctance. Not completely—I gripped the chair handles with sweaty hands the entire time.
All that gripping was for no reason. When the stylist turned me around, I froze in my seat. It wasn’t a drastic change, but a needed one. My hair is still dark, but there’s an extra shine to it, and the color transitions to a chestnut tone toward the ends. It’s subtle enough that it looks natural, like the sun kissed it.
She also trimmed my hair, added some long layers, and put loose curls in it. It’s a style I’ve tried to do myself at home, but the curls flopped seconds later. The only makeup I’m wearing is a soft pink blush and some reddish-pink shimmery lip gloss.
With this new outfit, shoes, hair, and makeup, my confidence level has gone through the roof. Hopefully, I’ll feel more comfortable singing in front of Leo and a bunch of strangers tonight. I’ve made a mental list of songs to choose from, and I’ll decide at the last minute based on the mood. I’m hoping Leo will be in a good one, considering he didn’t seem thrilled about going.
I turn toward Tonya and find it hard to speak. “Thank you for keeping me company today. I knew I needed a change, but never realized how much. I feel like a new woman.”
“Right back at you,” she says as she shuts her closet door. “It’s too bad you don’t live here. We’d do it all the time.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back. One day in Eastsound and a day of hiking have me hooked.” Leo and his siblings have already convinced me to come back. I’m not sure about Marla, though. The jury’s still out on that one.
I don’t want to think about going back home. My mom has sent me hundreds of texts and voice messages. Some were frantic because I didn’t respond fast enough. She doesn’t seem to understand what one text a day means and that I want to be left alone. I dread the talk I’m going to have with her when I get home.
Don’t get me wrong. I love my mom very much. She’s always showered us with love and comfort. But she’s changed a lot since Dad died. She’s lost and doesn’t know how to live without him. I want to be patient and understanding, but it’s getting harder every day.
Time’s flying by, and before I know it, I’ll be back in my car watching the island disappear into nothing. And Leo will be farther and farther away from me.
* * *
I flex my hands, trying to calm down. I’m nervous and excited at the same time. Tonya told everyone we’d meet them at Clover’s because she wants me to make a big entrance. Now I’m on edge because what if Leo doesn’t like how I look? Yes, I know I shouldn’t care, but I do. As for excited, I’m about to do something way out of my norm. In front of a crowd, no less.
Once we’re through the bar’s entrance, I remove my coat and drape it over my arm. This place is fuller than I expected for a Thursday, and it’s loud like a typical pub. I follow Tonya as she weaves through tables, saying quick hellos to several people. It was the same way when we were shopping. It’s obvious that Leo’s family is well known and respected on the island.
Leo and Sully are already here and are supposed to be holding a table near the stage. We’re both looking for them. Finally, Tonya nudges me and points to where they are. My stomach flutters. There’s no need for lights in here because Leo radiates his own. He’s standing next to a big, old burly guy.
As I get closer, the guy bumps fists with him, then moves away to greet customers at a table nearby. Leo turns and sees Tonya first. When he sees me, his mesmerizing smile takes my breath away. We stand there watching each other. His golden-brown locks are up again, revealing the long, smooth line of his neck and his chiseled jaw. The black Henley he’s sporting fits him like a glove, reminding me of what’s underneath. Dark blue jeans finish this perfect vision in front of me. I vaguely notice Tonya taking my coat.
His eyes take a slow, torturous tour of my body, and I swear I can feel the heat tracing my every curve. Instead of feeling uneasy, I stand up straight and let him get an eyeful. A sexy smirk graces his kissable lips. I’m on fire, and he hasn’t even touched me yet. He approaches and kisses my cheek, his soft lips lingering there longer than usual. One inhale of his alluring scent makes me want him even more.
“You look stunning,” he whispers. “I’m going to have to fight off all the men for you tonight.”
I lean into him. “No you won’t.”
“Oh, really. Why is that?” He brushes his knuckles over my burning cheek. By the end of this night, if he doesn’t kiss me—a genuine kiss—I’m going to attack him myself. A lightbulb turns on in my head. Now I know what song I’m going to sing. And he better get the damn point.
“I’m not interested in anyone else,” I say. He cocks an eyebrow. “I must be doing an awful job if you didn’t know that already.”
“Okay, lovebirds. Stop with the whispering and come sit. I’m hungry and need a drink. Since I’m not driving tonight, I can indulge a little, even if I do have to work tomorrow,” Tonya says. Lucky for her, she lives walking distance from this place. “Olive, you need to register the song you’re going to sing. Did you finally make a decision?”
“Yep. It just came to me when I walked into the pub.”
Leo pulls out the chair for me that has my coat resting over the back. I sit and he follows, sliding his chair closer to mine.
“So lay it on me. Which one did you choose?” Leo’s eyes twinkle with interest.
I trace my finger along his jaw. “It’s a surprise. You’re just gonna have to wait. I thought of three songs, but when I arrived, I got inspired. Now how do I sign up?” While Leo tells me what to do, we order drinks and some food. I’m starving, but my stomach is in knots. No alcohol for me tonight.
Several people approach the table to say hello. I’m surprised at how shocked some are to see Leo and even more by the sympathy they express. I don’t understand what’s going on. It’s hard to hear everything with the loud chatter around us, but I catch an older woman saying she’s missed seeing Leo up on stage, and another one asks if he’s blogging again. He used to sing karaoke? Blogging what? He told me he travels for his job. Was that all bullshit? I’m missing something.
What do you expect, Olive? You’ve known him for less than a week.
“Where’s Smokey tonight?” I ask Sully to bring him into the conversation and to distract myself. He’s hardly interacting with anybody. It’s no surprise, given that he’s sitting with his arms crossed and has a resting dick face. Can you say that for a guy? Either way, his demeanor screams unapproachable. Still, his presence here tonight seems to be a big deal to his family.
“She’s at home, probably sleeping on my pillow.” I can imagine him strolling through town with a kitten in tow. Women would flock to him.
Time passes quickly as we eat, drink, and chat. I submitted my form for the song I want to sing. No one else from our group submitted one. I guess I’m the only one embarrassing themselves tonight.
“Is your mom coming?” I ask.
“She said she’d try.” Tonya rolls her eyes. “Ma doesn’t go out much. We try to encourage her to do things outside the hotel, but she rarely does.”
“Same with my mom. They should meet since they’re both widowers and loners.”
“Well, maybe Ma would be up for that. I told her this should be her year to do something different. Let’s see what her life looks like in December,” Leo adds.
I rest my chin on my hand. “My life better be a lot more interesting by then. I’ll hate myself if I fall back into my usual boring routine when I get back home.”
“I won’t let you,” Leo says close to my ear, making me shiver.
“Oh yeah? Want to be my accountability person or whatever they call it? Call me every day to keep me on track?”
“Sure,” he simply offers. “I’m gonna talk to you every day anyway. It won’t change after you leave.” His blatant honesty and determination have now been added to the long list of things I find so damn attractive about him.
“And what can I do for you, then?”
His honey gaze locks on mine with sincerity. “That’s simple. Stay in my life.” My heart swells to the point I think it’s going to pop.
“Hey, Sully,” a guy slurs, bursting our bubble. He acknowledges Tonya and Leo with a lift of his chin, then grasps Sully’s shoulder. “How’s it going? I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Other than shoving his hand off his shoulder, Sully doesn’t respond. The tension in the air, however, thickens by the second.
“Oh, that’s right. Your fiancée dumped you for your business partner. That shit hurts, doesn’t it? It’s funny how what goes around comes around. Been there done that, haven’t we? Or should I say you?” Sully’s stone face turns crimson, and his jaw clenches.
Engaged? That’s why Sully’s miserable. And he had a business, or still does. Leo mentioned he was between jobs.
Tonya gasps and Leo stands, his chair almost falling backward. Sully lifts his hand to stop Leo from doing something he’ll probably regret. Leo sits back down and takes a pull of his beer. I rest my hand on his thigh, and he surprises me by placing his hand on mine and giving it a subtle squeeze.
The troublemaker mutters something else and grabs Sully’s shoulder again. Sully pushes him back hard enough to make his point. The asshole straightens his shirt, then staggers away with a drunken smirk. Grade A asshole. Tonya reaches out to Sully. He dodges her hand. Then swigs his beer, his face revealing nothing.
Leo must see my concern. “An enemy from high school. Total dick. He’s always accused Sully of stealing his high school girlfriend. Never happened. Talk about living in the past.”
I want to go over to Sully, give him a hug, and then drive back to his place to pick up Smokey. It annoys me that I’ve wasted so much time feeling sorry for myself when everyone has their own shit to deal with. We’re all human, striving to get through each day.
Time flies as the scheduled performers do their thing. Some are excellent while others are more funny than anything else. Every time a name is announced, I’m on the verge of peeing myself. Speaking of which, I should’ve gone to the bathroom.
“Next up, Olive Hansen. This is her first time here, folks, so let’s give her a big round of applause.”
Leo shouts over the crowd, “Good luck!” Tonya hoots, and Sully lifts his beer with a nod. I think he’s warming to me.
Reluctantly, I get up and step onto the stage. Why am I doing this? A man hands me a microphone. It’s now or never. “She’ll be singing Prince’s ‘Kiss.’”
My grip on the microphone is like a vice. The music starts abruptly, and the words begin to roll. I mess up the first lines, but then I get into the rhythm and let loose. Some people in the crowd sing along, while others dance between the tables and cheer me on.
Every time the lyrics mention “my girl,” I swap them with “my boy” and gesture toward Leo. His face lights up, exactly as I hoped. There are points in the song where Prince’s voice rises an octave. I try to do the same, but it’s a big fat fail. The scene of Julia Roberts singing in the movie Pretty Woman keeps replaying in my mind. My sweaty body moves autonomously as I shake my booty, unconcerned about looking ridiculous. All of my inhibitions vanish like they did the other night on the dance floor. I’m having a blast singing my heart out for the guy who’s charmed his way into my life.
The song’s over too quickly, and I’m shooed off the stage. The crowd claps until I reach our table. Leo stands and waits for me with open arms. I jump into them and he wraps them around me tightly. Shouting above the noise, he enthuses, “You nailed it. I’m damn proud of you.” I don’t get a kiss, but what is he going to do—kiss me in front of a crowd?
Be patient, Olive. You’ll get what you want.