Page 36 of Second Chances

Olivia nudged him aside and quickly pulled on her dress and sweater.

She was just putting on her sandals and he was tying his shoes when three couples came walking onto the pool deck.

“Evening,” he said casually.

The couples looked at them and smiled. “Oh, evening,” one of the women said with a giggle. “I hope we didn’t interrupt anything?”

“No.” He smiled and helped Olivia stand, making a point to hold onto her hand. “We were just enjoying the bubbles.” He nodded to the hot tub. “Have a good night.” He nodded to the couples and started slowly walking back down the pathway towards the docks.

“What do you say we stop off at the kitchen? I could use some dessert,” Olivia said.

“The kitchen?”

She laughed. “Tara, the pastry chef, is a friend. She bakes for the bakery in town and works out here as well. She always has extra cookies or pie on hand.”

“I could go for some pie,” he agreed, changing their direction.

They sat out on the massive front deck of the resort while he enjoyed a piece of chocolate silk pie and she ate a bowl of chocolate brownie delight, which consisted of chocolate brownie, caramel topping, chopped walnuts, whipped cream, and some more caramel chunks on top.

He gave her a bite of his pie and, after getting a bite of her brownie, had to admit she’d picked the best dessert.

It was all so casual, the way they fell into conversation easily, changing between topics ranging from work, sports, Simona, or their pasts. He didn’t feel the need to hide anything from her, which was in itself rewarding since he’d spent years lying to everyone.

The ferry ride back to town went by too quicky, and the entire ride back he dreamed of the evening not ending. But he knew that with Ethan tagging along, he’d have to cut the night short.

He walked her to her car and kissed her under a streetlight while Ethan sat in the dark SUV. When he climbed into the seat next Ethan, the man turned to him.

“You know, you can act like we’re not here,” the man said casually.

Todd laughed. “Right.” He sighed. “I have no problem with it, but something tells me Olivia was having a hard time with it.”

They drove through the sleepy town, heading towards his place.

“Maybe next time she has a night off, just invite her over to your place? It’s probably best for security purposes anyway,” he suggested.

It wasn’t a bad idea. But he hadn’t wanted her to feel like he was moving too fast.

When he was lying in his new bedroom, staring up at the ceiling, he pulled out his phone and sent her a text message.

“I had a great time tonight.”

Her response came instantly.

“Me too. Thank you. Dinner, adult conversation, and the bubbles were just what I needed.”

“I needed you. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to open myself up like this. I promise next time we go out, you won’t even notice Ethan.”

“Maybe next time, I’ll just come over to your place and we can have a night in?”

He felt his heart skip as he typed his response.

“I’d like that. When’s your next free night?”

It took her a moment to answer this one.

“I can arrange for Simona to spend the night at Crystal and Rory’s next Thursday.”

“It’s a date. I’ll cook, you bring the dessert.”