Begin Again (A Starting Over Romance)

7. Olivia

Ryan pulls in to the driveway at their house and we get out. He unlocks the door and he puts his keys and wallet on a table by the front door.

"Luke said that you saved the night by helping out." He says as he sits on the couch. I sit beside him. " I don't know about that. I just took some orders and gave some refills. No big deal. People tipped really good though. If all my nights go like that, I'll be able to pay for a down payment on an apartment or something soon." I tell him and he says "You don't have to move out. You can stay here. I'm sure, actually I know that Luke would want you to stay." He says and I sit up straighter. "So, all night I've felt like I'm missing something, like everyone knows something that I don't or there is an inside joke when it comes to Luke. Care to clear it up so that I don't keep thinking that it's about me for some reason?" I ask him and he laughs. "Well, it technically is about you. He will kill me for telling you this but Luke is different with you. He is a good guy but he was burned by an ex and since then he has kept women at an arms length emotionally, physically is a different story. He doesn't do relationships, he hasn't had a girlfriend since then."he says and I'm even more confused.

"Ok, but what does that have to do with me?" I ask him and he smiles. " Like I said, he is different with you. He would never invite a stranger to stay in our extra room and he wouldn't give her a job either. He bandaged your finger up today for crying out loud. Then the hug I walked in on earlier, wasn't something he would do either." He says and I nod.

"So what does that mean?" I ask but Ryan doesn't get to answer because the front door opens and Luke walks in. He looks at us sitting on the couch and his brows furrow. "What are you guys doing?" He asks and Ryan gives him a big smile. "Oh, nothing. Just chatting." He tells him and Luke's eyes narrow in on his brother.

"I'm gonna head to bed. You kids don't stay up too late" he says and he winks at me.

I hear his bedroom door shut and I stand up too. "I guess I'm going to go to sleep too. It's been a long day and that big comfy bed is calling my name." I tell him and he nods. "Yeah, I'm right behind you." He says and then adds "Right behind you but in my own bed." His face turns a little red. I laugh. "I know what you meant. It's going to be weird going to sleep and not being afraid of waking up to someone pissed off for no reason and yelling at me." I say and regret it instantly. Luke's face goes hard.

"Anyway, I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed. Goodnight Luke, see you tomorrow." I tell him and he says "Goodnight Liv. If you need anything, you know where I'm at. " He says and my heart hammers in my chest as I turn and head to my room.

I grab the shampoo and conditioner and body wash I bought today along with the toothbrush and toothpaste and take them all to the bathroom. I get the shower really hot and let the steam fill up the room. I open the closet to find a rag and a towel and I set them out on the sink. I strip down out of my clothes and I step into the shower. I stand there for the longest time, just letting the hot water wash everything away. Once I've washed down with body wash and wash my hair. I get out and try to towel dry my hair as best as I can. Shit. I forgot my clothes in my room. Its just across the hall. I start to wrap my towel around my body when the bathroom door opens. It let out a scream when Ryan appears at the door and I freeze. I'm naked,towel still not around me. He gets an eye full and says "Shit, Olly. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were in here." He says as he turns around so he isn't facing me anymore.

"Sorry, I thought I locked the door." I mumble in embarrassment. I hurry and wrap the towel around me and walk toward the door but Ryan is still blocking it. I clear my throat to get his attention. "I'm covered now. I'll just go to my room and get dressed." I tell him and he turns around with a huge playful grin.

I try not to smile. "Don't start." I tell him and that makes him laugh louder. Luke comes out of his room and looks at the two of us and he glares at his brother. "What's going on?" He asks and Ryan laughs. "She just flashed her entire naked body at me." He says and Luke's eyes glare even more. "I did not! Well, not on purpose anyway. I thought I locked the door, apparently I didn't." I say and I bend down under Ryan's arm resting against the door frame so that I can get through. Luke looks me up and down and his gaze sets my body on fire.

"He saw you naked?" He asks and I nod and say "Yeah, no big deal. You've seen one, you've seen them all. I suspect that the two of you have seen quite a few. According to my ex, mine is nothing special." I shrug and Ryan steps out of the bathroom. "Your ex is an idiot if he ever said that to you. You look.." Ryan says before Luke cuts him off. "Careful." He grits out. Ryan grins a big wide grin and winks at me.

"I'm going to go get dressed now. Goodnight guys." I tell them and Ryan says "Try not to dream of me." Jokingly and Luke slaps the back of his head. I don't know what else happens because I shut my door behind me. I lean my back against the door. The way Luke looked at me in this towel, makes me feel desired and wanted and I haven't felt either of those in a long time.

I sigh and get dressed and then I get into bed and turn on the tv. It doesn't take long for me to drift off to sleep.