She’s not wrong.
“I was just a quiet, nerdy tech kid,” I explain. “And we were fine just co-existing those first few days and then one night, he announced that we were going out, and I went. He gave me a social life that I never would have achieved on my own.”
Nodding, Olivia smiles sadly. “Yeah, he was famous for making sure everyone went out and had fun.”
We’re saved from expanding on that when Zayne steps out on the deck and roars, “Where’s everybody at?”
It’s the perfect distraction and I’m instantly on my feet. “Why don’t you stay here and relax? I feel bad that I ruined that for you.”
Getting to her feet, she stretches—her tank top rising to reveal her belly button—before she slides her sunglasses back on and shakes her head. “We are both going to have to stop apologizing to each other. We have at least two weeks of essentially living together while on vacation. So let’s just stop that right now and move on. Deal?”
I nod. “Deal.”
“Groceries are going to be here in five minutes,” Zayne calls out. “And Vanessa’s already putting together a charcuterie board. You guys joining us?”
Olivia and I exchange glances. “I am a huge fan of charcuterie boards,” she tells me. “Especially when I don’t have to put them together.”
“Same.” I motion for her to go ahead of me. “Shall we?”
“We shall!”
7
OLIVIA
It is 1:37 in the morning and I am wide awake and yet so tired that I want to cry.
Snoring.
So much snoring.
And sadly, it’s not only the dogs.
Roxie is sound asleep with Mosy and Stella curled up on either side of her and I swear she’s the one snoring the loudest. And as if that’s not bad enough, Gunnar is in my bed. I am practically hanging off the side of this tiny bed, and I’m ready to scream. I’ve tried nudging him gently and telling him to go lay down, but he’s not budging.
I watch the clock for another five minutes and decide that I’m done. I grab my pillow, my robe, my laptop bag, and leave the room.
And I’m not quiet about it either.
Carefully, I pad down the stairs and it’s almost comical how light it is in the house just from the moonlight. I’m about to go to the room that used to be a bedroom and set up camp, but I’m thirsty and figure it wouldn’t hurt to grab a bottle of water or maybe even make myself a cup of tea. I step into the kitchen and see a shadow moving in the corner—the one spot that isn’t well lit—and I scream.
“It’s okay! It’s okay!” a voice hisses before the room lights up. “It’s me.”
My heart is racing, and I almost peed myself, but after I take a moment to catch my breath, I realize I’m looking at Sebastian. “Holy crap! You scared the hell out of me! What are you doing down here?”
“The same thing you are—getting something to drink,” he says logically.
I’m still trembling as I put my laptop and pillow down on the kitchen island.
“Wait, why do you have your laptop with you?”
After letting out a long breath, I look at him—his dark hair’s a little askew and he’s wearing a pair of athletic shorts and that’s it. My mind flashes back to when I first noticed him on the plane and he stretched to put his carry-on away and I saw a little bit of his abs.
This is way more impressive.
“Liv? Are you okay?” He immediately moves in close and guides me over to the nearest chair before running and getting me a glass of water. He gently places it in my hands, his brow furrowed with concern.
And his glasses are on.
