Page 67 of Easy Steal

I tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on the fact that I now had everything that I wanted.

My dream girl - in my arms.

“So,” she pulled away and looked up at me with her angelic smile, “are you going to ask me on a date, or what, Mr. Santino?”

***

I waved as Larissa drove away, and I looked towards the door back to the workshop.

Could I really show my face after what I had done?

I knew that I couldn’t avoid it and made my way inside.

Livie was dressed again, sitting at the office desk, laser focused on her computer. She didn’t look my way when I entered the office, closing the door behind me. She had already tidied the counter, and picked up all the papers that went flying during the event.

I opened my mouth to speak, to ask for forgiveness.

“You don’t need to apologise, Sam,” she said before I could say a word.

I stepped towards her, placing my hand on the back of her chair and spinning her around to face me.

“I do,” I said.

She took off her glasses and sighed as she looked up at me, “no, you don’t. This was our plan from the beginning, right?”

“Right?” I frowned.

“So it’s okay,” she smiled. “I promise.”

“Still, I-”

“Did it at least work?” she turned herself back around to her computer screen, her comfort, her safety blanket. “Did she finally confess her love for you?”

“Yes?” I said slowly.

“You don’t sound so sure.”

“We have a date tonight.”

“Lovely,” she smiled at me over her shoulder. “Where are you gonna take her?”

I shrugged, even though she wasn’t looking at me.

“Try Lamada,” she said. “It’s fancy. Princess will like it.”

“Hey,” I said as she packed up her computer and got ready to leave. “I wanna thank you. You didn’t have to do any of this for me. You agreed to this before you even really knew me, and it means a lot that you would. And I’m sorry, even though you said I didn’t have to be sorry, but I am. You’re a good chick Liv, and honestly…” I chuckled, “you’re probably my closest friend right now. And I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”

She smiled, slinging her backpack over her shoulder and standing. She cupped my face for a moment, smiling up at me.

“It’s fine, Sam,” she adjusted the collar on my shirt that was still askew from my hasty dressing, “wear navy tonight, okay? It’s your colour.”

I nodded once.

“And for gods sake, wash your fucking hair,” she rolled her eyes at me before leaving the office.

I chuckled once and leaned against the counter for a few moments, alone with my thoughts, until the rumble of her car starting brought me back to reality.

I had got what I wanted, but at what cost?

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