Watching

Part 14

Sorry again for the long delay in updating. I'm getting to the chapters that are going to be different from the original version and editing them is a challenge. I will get there though - eventually!

14.

Olivia got home around 8 pm. She had stayed with Alex at the restaurant a lot longer than she had expected and she was hungry. She was a little unsteady on her feet from all those glasses of wine and decided to order in. She took a quick shower and changed into a clean black legging and big grey sweat shirt over a light blue tank top. She settled in after the Chinese food had arrived and enjoyed her meal. She planned to turn in early and sleep in late.

...

Elliot had not seen her come home and was surprised to see her curtains drawn. She must be home. He had fixed himself some macaroni and cheese and was flipping though the tv guide to see if there was a good movie on that night. Maybe they could watch it together, just like before. He couldn't find anything good though. He wanted to call her anyway but he hesitated. He didn't want to push her but thinking back to the night before, he wouldn't mind continuing their little flirtation. He tried to distract himself but his mind kept wandering. The sound of her voice while she teased him, asking him what he was wearing and then admitting to getting excited ... He felt his body respond to just the thought of Olivia touching herself and he got up to get himself something to drink. He wasn't sure what he would do if she ever talked to him like that face to face. Acknowledging his feelings for her was a big step ... and he still wasn't certain if she felt the same way. There had always been some kind of pull between them but she had never led him on so he didn't know what it really meant to her.
Around 9.30 pm he decided he had waited long enough and he called Olivia.

...

"Hey you, calling me twice in one day now?"

Olivia hadn't expected him to call again. She was still feeling a little drowsy and had just finished eating. She hoped her head would clear up soon. She was curled up on the couch and felt her muscles relax. It was nice to hear his voice again.

"Yeah," Elliot said. "I missed you today."

It was a simple statement but it moved her. She took a deep breath and blinked a few times to get rid of the moist in her eyes. Where did that come from every time Elliot said something nice to her?

"I see. Well, I had fun with Alex today." She was glad her voice sounded steady. "You know, she's seeing someone. She seems very happy."

"Good for her," Elliot said and he meant it. These hard-working women deserved some happiness in their private lives. He could only hope the guy would be able to keep up with Alex's hectic work schedule.

"Yeah, you know how that usually goes. I've had to cancel more dates than I care to remember because of the job," Olivia mentioned.

"I remember."

"Well, it was either that or you would chase them away," she joked.

"Hmmm. That's true. I guess I wanted to keep you to myself," he admitted, much to his own surprise as well as Olivia's.

"El, I don't think that would have been fair, do you? You had nothing to offer me so that would leave me with nothing!"

It actually had left her with nothing but she didn't feel the need to say that out loud. She was being serious now and her honesty prompted him to do the same.

"You're right. It wasn't fair. But things have changed. Maybe I have something to offer this time around."

Olivia realized that the conversation had turned serious. She could try to laugh it off but she didn't want to. Not this time. So she waited for him to continue.