Page 36 of The Love Penalty

I can’t stop crying for some reason and while I feel bad for getting tears and snot all over Alice’s nice cashmere sweater, she started this. I blame her for my meltdown.

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“Losing him. If he knows how I feel but doesn’t feel the same, that might destroy everything we’ve built so far. I know we only met a month and a half ago, but we talk every single day. Is it pathetic that he’s the best part of my day?”

Alice pulls back and holds me by my shoulders. “Olivia, listen to me,” she says in a stern voice I haven’t heard her use before now. “Robbie is my best friend, he’s the person I always go to for sound advice. And you know what he always does when I’m in a predicament? He lists the facts. So that’s what I’m going to do for you. Okay?”

I nod, but my tears keep falling. What have I done to deserve the kindness and friendship of these amazing people?

“One, Robbie doesn’t bring dates to family events and holidays. Ever. Unless he’s serious about them. And this year, he broughtyou.

“Two, the night you two met, he couldn’t shut up about you.”

I snort. “Yeah, probably because I was a bitch to him on the ice.”

“That’s not the night I’m talking about. The one before. After the dinner at the brewery, he said he saw Ash talking to the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. And after he realized who you were, he was even more intrigued.”

He remembers me from that night at the brewery? I must have looked like such an idiot, with ketchup stains on my sweatshirt, ogling his big family.

“Three, he spent all of last weekend buying all your favorite snacks, and looking up decorations for the spare bedroom to make it more homey. If he had the time, he would have picked everything out and decorated it himself. I know my brother, and trust me, he feels the same about you.”

I’m quiet for a beat because I know she’s right. I can see the longing and want on his face every time he looks at me. I can also see how attuned he is to me and my feelings. He always makes sure I’m included in the conversation when we’re in a group, and he always listens to what I have to say, even if it’s something trivial.

“Why hasn’t he said anything?” I ask helplessly.

She sighs and pulls me in another hug. “I think he senses that you’re scared. And if I can describe my brother in one word, it’spatient.I promise you he’s either waiting for you to make the first move or biding his time until he senses some more confidence from you.”

I nod and hug her some more until I hear the garage door slam closed and footsteps coming towards the living room wherewe are. We break apart and I hastily wipe my tears away before Robbie can notice, but it’s too late.

He looks incredible. His cheeks are pink and his hair is still a bit damp from his shower. He’s wearing gray joggers and a black long sleeve fleece that hugs his body just right.

“Hey Roro,” Alice greets him, but he’s frozen to the spot, staring at me and frowning.

“Olive, why are you crying?” he says in a low voice and I notice his fists clenching at his side.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” I give him the best smile I can muster.Fuck.He won’t believe me, he never does when I say it’s nothing.

“Al, what did you do?” He turns his angry gaze on his sister and I can’t let her take the fall for this.

So I blurt out, “We were talking about a book. A really sad book.” I look at Alice and widen my eyes.Go along, please.She catches my eye and gives me a small nod.

“That’s right, we had pastries, and coffee, and delightful conversation that turned to books. One of our favorite characters dies at the end of this romance. It’s tragic.”

Robbie narrows his eyes at Alice and it’s clear that he doesn’t believe us, but he gives me a weary look. “You sure you’re okay? Also, that sounds like a shitty romance.”

“Yes, I promise. How was practice?” My diversion from the topic seems to work and Robbie tells us all about practice and the fan event they had to do, which is why he is back an hour later than planned.

We only have a few hours to kill until we have to head to the arena for tonight’s hockey game, so the three of us spend it having a small meal and watchingBack to the Future II. Alice moves over to the oversized chair and lets me and Robbie share the couch with the cats, who once again join me. Robbie eyes me every few minutes but I try not to give anything away. I also don’t cry any more.

Because I have a plan.

TWENTY-ONE

Robbie

Something is off with Olivia.Ever since yesterday when I caught her crying and hugging my sister on the couch, something has been off. I also haven’t had a lot of time to talk to her. As soon as our movie ended, we packed up the car and headed to the arena to get ready for the game.

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