“My guess is the universe must really want us to be friends if it keeps throwing us together this much.”
A smile tugs at her glossy lips and I home in on them for a moment. In the last three days, I’ve seen three very different versions of this woman. The woman on the plane was a bit of a casual, comfortable mess—and not just her emotions. I was mildly enamored by the casual hoodie and leggings, the sneakers, and the messy bun. The woman at the funeral was understated elegance, with the saddest green eyes I’d ever seen.
But today’s version? This one may be my favorite because I can already tell she is comfortable in her own skin. Her hair is loose and wavy, she’s dressed casually in a pair of shorts and a tank top—which reveals some serious curves—and she just looks more relaxed than I’ve ever seen her.
You know, in the three days I’ve known her.
Behind us, everyone’s talking and moving toward what I’m guessing is the kitchen, so I know we’re not going to have a lot of privacy. If I’m going to say anything without an audience, it needs to be now.
“Look, I honestly had no idea who you were on the plane, and I want to apologize for what I said at the funeral yesterday. I was really just trying to lighten the mood.”
“It was a funeral, Sebastian,” she quietly reminds me. “That’s not a mood that gets lightened.”
“Okay, so…I panicked. Either way, I’m sorry. I never should have approached you while you were saying goodbye. It was insensitive of me and kind of a dick move.”
Her head tilts as she just continues to stare at me until I start to feel super uncomfortable. Between the heat radiating through the glass and the weight of her stare, I’m pretty sure I’m going to burst into flames any second.
“I guess we can both agree that maybe yesterday we weren’t at our best,” she finally says. “And now we’re on vacation together with our mutual friends that we didn’t know we had.” Sighing, she glances over her shoulder towards where everyone is congregated and then back at me. “I’m not sure if I should be offended that they never mentioned me to you before.”
“They did, but they always referred to you as Olivia. You introduced yourself as Liv and I didn’t put two and two together.”
That makes her chuckle. “And why would it? I’m sure there are millions of people named Olivia or Liv in the world. It would be super bizarre if the only one you ever heard of was the one you met on a plane.”
“And yet…I did,” I say lightly, giving her a simple grin. “Are we good? I mean, is this going to be too weird? Because I can totally leave. It’s much easier for me to go back to Raleigh to my place. You’re here on a legit vacation with your friends. I don’t want to ruin that for you.”
“You’re not. I promise. I was a little upset when the girls told me—which wasn’t until we got here—but…it is what it is. And to be clear, it wasn’t just because you were going to be here. I was upset because I thought this was a girls’ trip and now it’s not. But…we’re not all joined at the hip, and I’m sure it’s not going to be awkward at all. Please don’t feel like you need to leave.”
“Come on, you guys! We’re toasting to the official start of this trip!” Loren calls out.
“So we’re good?” I ask because I’m a stickler for genuine consent in all things.
“We’re good,” she assures me before turning to walk away. But she immediately stops and faces me again. “Do you prefer to be called Ash or Sebastian?”
“What?”
“You know, your name,” she teases. “When you introduced yourself to me on the plane, you said Sebastian. I’m just curious which name you actually prefer.”
Wow. I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that.
“Um…I use Sebastian more in my work world. With friends, Ash is fine.”
She gives me a quick nod. “Okay, then, Ash. Let’s go and join everyone.”
“Wait,” I blurt out. “What about you?”
Her confused look is kind of adorable.
“Liv or Olivia?”
She takes a moment to consider the question. “Depends on my mood. I’m not fussy. So whichever name you’re comfortable with, I’ll answer to.” Another half turn before she looks at me again. “And the glasses looked good on you. You sort of have a Clark Kent and Superman thing going on. I like it.”
This time she walks away, and I follow. Mike immediately puts a glass of wine in my hand, and I see Loren do the same for Olivia.
Liv.
Ugh, I’m going to struggle with that every damn time, I just know it.
After that, things sort of go by in a bit of a blur. We’re toasting the start of the trip, we’re putting away the groceries that just got delivered, and already working on a second order since Mike, Zayne, and I didn’t get any input into the original one. I head up to the third floor where my bedroom is.
