Page 3 of Always Been You

“Thanks”

I move over to Josh, and he stands up. I offer him a quick hug, “Thanks for lunch, Josh.”

“Anytime. Happy birthday, Olivia.”

I grab my bag and head to the restaurant exit, making my way to the nail salon for my mani-pedi appointment.

The last personI would have thought I’d run into on my way home after my business meeting this afternoon was Olivia Carter. Seeing her for the first time in around a year was surprising, to say the least, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I know that I’m the one that decided to distance myself after learning about her relationship; but seeing her again, her smile, hearing her laugh, watching her and Matt interact, I’m beginning to regret that decision. How much have I missed out on these last months? Can I push past how I feel about her and be just friends? I always have a sense of calm when I’m around her, and I miss that.

“Can I get a scotch on the rocks, please?” Matt asks our server as she passes by.

“Make that two, please,” I add.

Matt runs his hands over his face before he leans over the table, clasping his hands together, and looks at me.

“I can’t believe that she is moving in with that guy.” He shakes his head before continuing, “I can’t say anything to her about it, it’s her life and I have to let her do her own thing, but I just don’t like the guy. I have seen how he treats her, always asking her to do everything for him, but never offering to do things for her. I don’t think he makes enough time for her, either. I mean, it’s her birthday, man. Who doesn’t spend the day with their girlfriend on their birthday, especially if you are talking about moving in together?” He lets out a deep sigh.

I take a deep breath and shake my head slightly. “I don’t know, man. She’s an adult. There is not much you can do but hope she’s happy.”

I’m not sure if I am saying this more to Matt or myself. I knew that Olivia was in a relationship. I’ve met the guy and heard Matt complain about him enough, but hearing that she is planning on moving in with him has me feeling like I’m going to be sick.

When I was younger, I had thought of Olivia as Matt’s younger sister. She would tag along with us when we went out, whether to the mall or the park, and she came to all our hockey practices and games.

Then I hit university, and I came back to visit over Christmas with Matt, and my sister and I went to the Carter’s Christmas party. We went every year, so it wasn’t anything new, but when I got there and saw Olivia walking down the stairs while I stood in the entryway, all I could think was, ‘God, she’s gorgeous’. She had always been beautiful. I don’t know if it was just her, my time away, or me growing up more, but she was the most stunning girl I had ever seen.

Her hair was styled loosely around her face, with natural makeup and a red dress that hugged her curves. My mouth went dry just looking at her and the smile that she had on her face as she said hello to me. I was done.

It wasn’t only her looks that had pulled me in that winter break, either. While I was home, I hung out with Matt at his parents, watching hockey games, and Olivia would join us on the couch. She got just as into the games as us, sometimes more so, and she knew what she was talking about too. We talked more that trip home and I got to know the new grown-up Olivia. She hadn’t changed much from when we were kids. She was just a little more sophisticated and knowledgeable. She was so much fun to be around; she made me laugh, smile, and remember what I loved about being home.

But she was Matt’s younger sister, so I knew I could never make a move on her. My relationship with Matt was and is too important to wreck.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts when our server drops off our drinks. “Can I get the bill too, please?” I ask, and she nods and smiles at me before walking off again.

“I know you’re right, but I worry about her. I do want her to be happy, but I fear she is settling. With her being a romantic the way she is, it surprises me too. I see my parents’ relationship or your parents’ relationship and I know that there is no need to settle. You can find something good out there.” He shakes his head while spinning his drink on the table. “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the easy casual thing too, but I know that when I am ready, I won’t settle,” Matt says to me.

“I hear you. If you’re really worried about it, you have a couple of weeks before she gives her landlord notice. Maybe help her out.” I finish my drink in one go as the server drops off the bill.

I pull out my credit card and she holds up a finger as she runs off to get the credit card machine.

“You’re right, man, but enough of this talk. Are you coming to my place later for Liv’s surprise party? Grayson and Caleb are coming too.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there. You need me to bring anything?”

“Nope.” He takes another sip of his drink, “Zoey has it all covered. She has the girls over at my place now decorating. I’m going straight home to help them with any of the remaining things that need to be done.”

I look at him in shock, “You let three women loose in your apartment and you’re not freaking out? Are you okay, Matt? You always make sure that women leave your apartment before you.”

He scratches his jaw and shrugs. “I trust Zoey, and it’s for Liv. I’d do anything for her and Gi, including letting three women loose in my apartment,” he chuckles.

“You’re a good brother, man. If you need anything for tonight, let me know.”

“Thanks, man. You don’t have to get lunch, let me get it. We invited you and it’s my sister’s birthday.”

I shake my head and grab the card machine from the server as she arrives. She stares at me unabashedly. “No man, you’re already throwing your sister a surprise party at your place. I’m getting lunch.” I finish with the machine and pass it back to the server. Her eyes flick to the billfold on the table that I never even looked at and I go to pass it back to her. She smiles at me, pink tinging her cheeks and the tips of her ears as she says, “Oh, no you keep that. Have a good day,” and hurries off to the back of the restaurant.

Matt shakes his head with a laugh. “What do you wanna bet that she left her number in there? She is probably sad that you didn’t even look inside and is hoping you will before we leave?”

Laughing, I open the billfold and sure enough, at the top of our receipt written in pen, it saysCall me?with a phone number written beneath it. Our server is cute. She’s about 5'8, her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail, and she has a friendly smile, but she isn’t doing anything for me. I spin the billfold toward him, and he laughs.

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