Complications(19)

“Bye,” she said, sure she had the silliest grin on her face yet she couldn’t bring herself to care. She watched as he unbolted her front door and with one last smile he disappeared through it and down the hallway.

She bit her lip as she closed the door behind him. The butterflies in her stomach would not go away and she knew right then and there that Alex was probably a bad decision on her part. The last thing she wanted at the moment was to start something new with someone, at least emotionally. And with Alex, she was definitely getting attached even though she hadn’t wanted to.

He can break your heart, she thought.

But then she remembered his words a couple nights ago at dinner. That complications were bound to happen. And that it was okay if they did.

Olivia decided then that she wouldn’t over think her relationship—or whatever they had—with Alex. She would go with the flow for a change and see where she ended up. Of course, she was still hurt and angry over her breakup with Miles…although she was ashamed to admit that she was hurt more by his cheating than by the actual breakup itself. It had been a blow to her self-esteem, for sure.

But Olivia would be lying to herself if she thought their relationship would last. In the early stages of their relationship, she thought that she would undoubtedly marry Miles. He had seemed perfect for her in every way. He was easy to talk to, her parents loved him, and he loved being around her. But somewhere along the way, that all changed.

Olivia had sensed that change in the last couple years of their relationship. Miles had grown more distanced. There were times when she wouldn’t even hear from him for four or five days on end, even though she called. But the old Olivia hadn’t had the guts to confront him about it. Deep down, she hadn’t wanted to know the truth.

And a few weeks ago, when Olivia had finally become fed up with his lack of communication and his obvious lies, she had demanded answers, finally proud of herself for confronting him.

The breakup came as no surprise. But the cheating had.

Olivia sighed, pushing the memories from her mind as though sweeping them out the door. She had gone over every detail of their relationship over the past couple weeks. Any signs she might have missed. Old conversations they had. Warnings from Christie she should have listened to.

Olivia didn’t want Miles to have anymore of her time. She refused to let him.

So, Olivia walked back to her bedroom, a little smile curling over her lips as she breathed in Alex’s smell, still lingering and mixing with her own. It was just one more bit of proof she possessed that made last night come to life in her mind’s eye.

Figuring there was no way she would be able to go back to sleep now, Olivia decided to shower and get an early start on her day. She had some bookkeeping remaining that she should have finished the night before.

Not that she minded how last night had turned out. At all.

Friday couldn’t come fast enough.





Chapter Seven




“Where were you last night, man?” Lucas Branford asked as Alex balanced his work phone between his ear and shoulder. He was riffling through some paperwork on his desk, trying to locate a spreadsheet he knew he printed out yesterday. His presentation earlier that morning had gone well, but he still had a lot to catch up on this afternoon. “I tried calling your cell but it kept going to voicemail. We all went out for some beers.”

“Sorry, Luke,” Alex replied automatically into the receiver. “I was busy and I didn’t hear the phone ring.”

There was a short pause on the end of the line then laughter. “Alex, you sly little shit. Who is she? I know for a fact that you wouldn’t turn off your phone unless you were with a chick.”

Alex swallowed, his hand pausing over a packet of sales numbers that had landed on his desk earlier that morning. An abundance of conflicting emotions pounded at him as he listened to Luke’s words on the other end. Jealousy. Anger. Distrust. Understanding.

Old bitter memories asked to be given reign in his mind, but he denied them.

Luke hadn’t known. Alex had forgiven him last year, but even after all this time, their friendship could still be rocky. To think it was almost completely destroyed over one woman was upsetting enough. Alex hadn’t wanted to give Julia any satisfaction whatsoever, so he forgave his oldest friend.

Even still, ever cautious with Luke, Alex answered with, “I had some work that needed to be done.” Not exactly the truth, but not a lie either. Alex had been doing work before Olivia called.

If Luke noticed Alex’s hesitance, he didn’t comment on it. “Are you free tomorrow night then? It’s Caleb’s birthday.”

“Oh shit,” Alex said, turning his attention fully to Luke. “I forgot.” Lucky thing Olivia hadn’t been able to do dinner tomorrow night after all.