Never 'Til Now

Chapter 35

When Olivia woke up in the Avery home, she noticed an empty space in the bed beside her. Her eyes found a note on the nightstand that she reached for and saw that Sam had left it for her.

Morning, beautiful. Golf with the guys this morning. I should be back by 4 for the party. I can't wait to see that showstopping dress. ;) - Sam.

Olivia smiled, appreciating the sweet note left behind, and decided to make the most of her morning. She took a quick refreshing shower, mainly to wet her hair again, before she dressed comfortably in leggings and a soft T-shirt. As she came down the stairs, the enticing smell of brunch led her to the veranda, where the women of the Avery family were already gathered.

"Good morning, everyone," Olivia greeted, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Ashley among the group. "You're here." She exclaimed before going to sit in the empty seat beside her.

Ashley grinned, pulling Olivia into a friendly hug. "Of course, I'm here! They were filling me in on your first night."

Olivia sat, jumping right into the casual banter around the table. The morning passed with laughter and more than a pitcher of mimosas for each person between them.

As the staff cleared away the dishes, Evelyn made an announcement. "Ladies, Before the big anniversary party tonight, we need a bit of pampering, so it's time to head to the spa!"

Olivia was reluctant to join the excitement with the rest of the women. She didn't want to assume that they intended to include her. "That's exciting. You guys have fun; I can walk around and explore while you're all gone."

Evelyn looked directly at Olivia, shocked that she didn't feel included. "Oh, no, Olivia. You're coming with us."

"Are you sure? I can pay," Olivia suggested, not wanting to burden them.

Grace, Sam's mother, intervened with a warm smile and reached over to grab her hand. "Nonsense. After the dinner last night, consider this our way of saying thank you. We've been doing spa days before special occasions for years, and you're part of the family now."

Ashley chimed in, "Absolutely, Liv. Spa days are non-negotiable in this family. You're coming with us, end of discussion."

Olivia couldn't help but feel touched by the genuine inclusion. Grace continued, "Don't even consider taking out your credit card. It's our treat."

As they arrived at the luxurious spa, The women were treated to facials and massages and finally ended the trip with manicures and pedicures. The scent of essential oils wafted through the air. Olivia and Grace sat beside each other, ready for their pedicures. The atmosphere was serene, with soothing music playing in the background.

Grace initiated the conversation with a warm smile. "So, Olivia, tell me more about yourself. Where did you grow up?"

Olivia leaned back in her chair, enjoying the pampering. "I grew up in Chicago. It was just me and my dad. He worked for the city as a train operator for thirty years. He retired a couple of years ago and moved to Phoenix."

Grace nodded, genuinely interested. "That sounds like a unique upbringing. What was it like?"

Olivia chuckled, reminiscing. "Well, let's just say I've been on more train rides than most kids. But my dad was amazing. He worked hard to provide for us."

Grace smiled, appreciating Olivia's fond memories. "And now you're a writer. How did that journey unfold?"

"You could say it started as therapy," Olivia continued, "a way to escape into a life that I thought was better than mine. Writing became a refuge, a place where I could create worlds and stories that took me away from the challenges of reality."