Page 20 of Real Love


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These lazy men, as she referred to them, only took her places where she was likely to bump into her friends, or associates of her parents. Being on her arm at a highly publicized social function did more for a man’s career than a full page ad in the New Yorker or the New York Times. Ask any man who dated Olivia how his life changed, and he would say, “She helped me come up.”

She wasn’t stupid. As she grew older, she learned how to play the game very well. When a good looking man approached her and feigned interest, she took advantage of the situation. She’d string him along, and when she began to get bored, if she felt inclined, she’d sleep with him. If he was good in bed, this phase might last a couple of months. If he wasn’t, or she had no desire to sleep with him, she’d throw a party or introduce him to someone that could help him, and then dump him quickly thereafter.

Dr. Eric King wasn’t like any of those guys. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him. She was physically attracted to him, and that bothered her. The way he could read her body scared her. She always felt vulnerable, yet excited being around him.

The other night she was so tempted to break her rule and let him stay the night. She spent most of the night rehashing their kiss on the sofa. She closed her eyes replaying his touch and the way her body felt when he teased her nipple. She wondered how he would be in bed. She felt him getting a little excited against her thigh, and that’s why she pushed him away. He wasn’t playing by her rules. He was taking control. She wanted and needed to be in control, if their relationship was to run as she wanted it to.

The other thing about Eric was, he wasn’t needy like the other men. She expected he would have called her the following morning, but he didn’t. It’d been almost thirty- six hours since their date and she hadn’t heard from him.

She looked at her watch, picked up her bag and keys, and left. She needed some air. She walked down the hall to her neighbor, Mr. Wilson. He was a nice man. He and Olivia shared the floor. She wasn’t sure how he came to live there, but she made it a point to keep tabs on him.

She knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened, and standing there on a cane was an older gentleman with grey hair and green grey eyes, smiling.

“Hello, Olivia.”

She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Hello, Mr. Wilson.”

He stepped to the side and she walked inside. He closed the door and slowly turned around. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the prettiest girl in the building?” He smiled.

“I thought I would come and see if the handsomest man in the building would escort me on a walk in the park.” She smiled.

“I’m not sure that man is available, but will I do?” he laughed.

“You mean I get to be seen with the sexiest man?” she smiled and winked.

“You’re such a dear.” He grabbed his hat and keys and they exited his apartment.

Once outside, Olivia wrapped her arm around his elbow and led Mr. Wilson down the busy street to the park. They walked a comfortable pace for him. She enjoyed these walks with Mr. Wilson. Both sets of her grandparents were gone, and he was like a grandfather to her. On their walks, they would talk about everything from politics to pop culture to religion to books. Mr. Wilson loved books and old movies. Once a week, Olivia would go down to his apartment, cook dinner, and they would watch a movie.

She liked talking to him because he wasn't judgmental or trying to tell her what to do. She called him her best boyfriend.

They continued their stroll through the park. “It’s a beautiful day.”

“Yes, it is.” He nodded. “So tell me about the young man I’ve been seeing in the hall.”

“There’s not much to tell.”

“Clyde told me he’s a doctor.”

“That’s correct.”

“What kind?”

“A marriage therapist.”

“Interesting.”

“How so?”

“Has he been married?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” He nodded. “What’s with the nod?”

“Can we sit a moment?” They walked up to the bench and sat down. “I would find it difficult to counsel married people, if I hadn’t been married.”

“Huh, I never thought about it like that.”

“Does he only deal with married couples?”

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