Twenty minutes later, I handed my keys to the valet outside Kooma, the sushi joint downtown that Blair had picked for her birthday dinner.As I rounded the hood, Olivia stepped out of the passenger side.
Rooted to the curb, I gaped at her as realization slammed into me.
“Uh, you okay there, boss?”
No, not even close.I'd known this woman for barely a month.There was no way I could be in love with her.Was there?
“I'm fine.Let's get you inside where it's warm.”Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I steered her inside, shelving my existential crisis for later.
The warmth of the restaurant chased away the early fall chill.The hostess led us to a private room where Blair and Mel were already seated, deep in conversation.
“Carter!”Blair exclaimed, rising to greet us.“And you must be Olivia.I've heard so much about you.”
I felt Olivia tense beside me, her smile warm but nervous.“All good things, I hope?”
“Oh, honey,” Mel chimed in, “the way this one talks about you, you'd think you hung the moon.”
A blush scorched my neck.“Alright, alright.Let's not embarrass the woman before she's even had a chance to sit down.”
We took our seats.Right away, I noticed how naturally Olivia fit into the group.She laughed at Blair's jokes, talked to Mel about her work, and managed to make me feel completely at ease in a situation that would have usually made my stomach squirm.
Love.The word echoed in my mind, terrifying and exhilarating.I'd spent so long keeping people at arm's length, and here was Olivia, effortlessly dismantling my carefully constructed walls.
I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor.“Mel, I need to talk to you.Now.”
Mel's eyebrows shot up, but she followed me as I strode towards the restrooms.I glimpsed Olivia's concerned face and Blair's puzzled expression before we rounded the corner.
As soon as we were out of earshot, I whirled to face Mel.The words spilled from my mouth in a frantic rush, bypassing all filters.
“I'm freaking out.”
Mel frowned and cocked her head.“I can see that.What's going on?”
“What's going on?!”I hissed.“I think I'm probably in love with that perfect, beautiful woman out there, but I can't be certain because I've never lovedanyonebefore.How do you know?Is there some sort of test I can take?”
She raised her eyes to the ceiling.“Don't be an idiot.”
“Don't be mean!I'm having a crisis!”I pushed a hand through my hair feverishly.
“Carter, just relax.It's only been a couple weeks.You're still in the honeymoon phase.”Mel had shifted into her soothing voice.
It worked.I latched onto her words like they were a lifeline.“You're right.It's not love.It's just...infatuation.”
“I didn't say that.”She shook her head, exasperation creeping into her expression.
“Then what are you saying?!”I threw my hands up, utterly lost.
Mel grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to meet her gaze.“I'm saying you need to go back out there, have dinner with your girlfriend, and stop stressing.”
My eyes widened.“She's my girlfriend?!”
“Oh my God, you are hopeless.”Mel threw her head back and groaned.
Without another word, she returned to the table, leaving me standing in the dimly lit hall.I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
My eyes snapped open as a gentle touch landed on my arm.Olivia peered into my face, her brows knitted with concern.
“Carter?Are you okay?”
