I unlocked the door into Olivia’s father’s condo, and let Thomas in first.
While we were waiting for our drinks, I made Thomas promise he wouldn’t talk to Olivia about what had happened until I had a chance to tell her myself. I didn’t want her to be any more upset with me than she already was.
Thomas went into the living room and plopped down on the sofa, turning the television on. I placed my coffee on the counter and made my way though the condo. I knocked softly on the still-closed bathroom door. “Liv? Are you decent?”
“Yeah, come on in.” She said cheerily.
I carefully pushed the door open and stepped inside the bathroom. I shut the door behind me.
Olivia was inside, sitting on the edge of the bathtub. She was wearing her pajamas and combing a brush through her long beautiful hair.
“Hey, I brought you a tea.” I said, holding out the cup to her.
She smiled. “You didn’t have to!”
“I know I didn’t have to. I just thought I’d be nice.” I shrugged, sitting next to her.
Olivia smiled. “You’re the sweetest.”
I drew in a deep breath. “Well, I’m glad you think that… I have to tell you what happened a few minutes ago…” I mused.
Olivia frowned. “What happened? Are you okay? Where’s Thomas?” She demanded.
“I’m fine.” I assured her gently. “Thomas is fine, he’s in the living room.”
Olivia nodded.
“When we went to get coffee, we made a quick pit-stop at an old friend’s house. Pinkie and Jimmy, do you remember them?”
She nodded slowly. “The scary ones?”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “Anyway, they owed me some money from way back… and tonight I collected it.”
I reached into the front pocket of my jeans and surrendered the wad of cash to Olivia, placing it in her hands. “I want to give it to your dad. He really went to bat for me. There is absolutely no way I would have beaten this and gotten myself out of this huge hole that I’ve dug myself into.”
Olivia gaped at me. “Are you serious? How much is here?”
“Twenty-five hundred.”
Olivia shook her head. “I… I won’t let you give this to my dad.” She insisted, pressing the money back into my hand. “First, I don’t think he can take it; knowing where it came from. And second, my dad only did all of that stuff to help you. He represented you to do me a favor and help you clear your name. Not for money.”
I sighed. “Liv, I just don’t want to be someone’s charity, you know?”
Olivia smiled lightly. “I know. But you’re off the hook.” She lightly laid her hand against my cheek. “That’s all that matters.”
I sighed, glancing down at the money in my hand. “What will I do with this?”
“Keep it.” She said gently. “You can use it while we’re at school.”
“But what about paying your dad back for the dinners and buying me a suit? What about the fact that he let me stay here…” I protested. “And for flying me back to PCA?”
Olivia smiled. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.” She insisted, smiling gently. “On Sunday, we’ll fly back to PCA and it’ll be like this never happened.” She smiled gently. She placed her hand in my free one and interlaced our fingers.
I returned her smile. “Thanks Liv. For all of this.”
“Any time.” She smiled. She lightly laid her head on my shoulder. “I don’t know about you, but after today I’m exhausted.” She mused.
I inhaled the sweet, flowery scent of her shampoo and lightly placed a kiss against her forehead.
“You know?” She said suddenly. “I can’t wait to get back to PCA. I actually kind of miss it.” She mused.
I smirked. “Yeah, me too. It’ll be great to get all of this behind me and get back to normal high school stuff. It’ll be weird for me.” I smirked.
Olivia laughed softly, sitting up and playfully swatting my knee. “Come on. We’d better get out of here before Thomas thinks we’re up to no-good in this bathroom.” She got to her feet and placed her hairbrush on the counter.
I raised one eyebrow. “No good, huh? I beg to differ with that. I’m pretty sure if we were up to anything in here, it would be very good.”
Olivia laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t tempt me. Besides, you made a promise to my dad, remember?” She teased, pointing an accusing finger at me.
“Don’t remind me. I’ve got to be the biggest idiot on the planet.” I sighed, standing.
“Actually, I think you’d be the biggest idiot on the planet if you went against my dad’s wishes.” She teased, opening the bathroom door and leading the way into the hallway.
“Right.” I mused.
Olivia went into the kitchen and proceeded to pour her tea out of the Starbucks cup and into a proper coffee mug. I plopped down on the sofa next to Thomas who was watching an episode of Seinfeld.
He sighed heavily placing the remote on the sofa next to him. “Is the bathroom free? Do you mind if I take a shower and go to bed?”
“No, of course not.” Olivia chirped sweetly. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” He replied, sauntering down the hall. “Good night!” She called to him.
I heard him respond from down the hall, although I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
Olivia took a sip of her tea and carried the mug across the living room, sitting next to me on the sofa. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
She sighed contentedly.
“So what time is our flight on Sunday?” I asked, taking a sip of my coffee.
“Umm… eleven thirty I believe. Dad hired a town car to take us to the airport.” She mused.
“Oh, okay. Hey, maybe he can hire us a limo?” I asked.
Olivia laughed. “I don’t think he’s going to go for that.” She mused.
“Oh, right. That might be a bit much… but hell, it was worth a shot.” I shrugged.
Olivia laughed sweetly. “That’s true.”
Olivia yawned tiredly. “Well, I think I’m off to bed.” She mused.
“Okay.”
“How about I make chocolate-chip pancakes for breakfast?” She asked brightly.
“Ooh, yum.” I grinned.
Olivia laughed sweetly, leaning over me and lightly kissing me. I sat up to return her kiss. “Good night.” She said.
“Sweet dreams, Liv.” I replied.
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