Echoes of Us

Chapter 2: Unexpected Encounters

The music pulsed through the house as Olivia and Amber navigated their way through the crowded living room. The party was in full swing, and despite Olivia's initial hesitation, she was determined to have a good time. The sting of Asher's words from the previous party still lingered, but tonight was a chance to move past it.

Olivia and Amber found a spot near the kitchen, where they could watch the party unfold while chatting with friends. Olivia scanned the room, her eyes briefly landing on Asher, who was surrounded by a group of guys, laughing and joking. She sighed and turned her attention back to Amber.

"Let's just enjoy ourselves," Amber said, giving Olivia a reassuring smile. "Forget about him."

Olivia nodded, taking a sip of her drink. "You're right. It's his loss."

As the evening wore on, Olivia found herself relaxing and enjoying the company. She chatted with old friends, made a few new ones, and even danced a little. But every now and then, she couldn't help but glance over at Asher.

It was during one of these glances that she noticed Asher making his way towards them. Her heart quickened, unsure of what to expect. As he approached, Olivia felt a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

"Hey, Amber," Asher said, a charming smile on his face. "Mind if I join you?"

Amber smiled back, clearly pleased by his attention. "Of course, Asher. This is Olivia, by the way."

Asher glanced at Olivia, his expression neutral. "Yeah, we've met."

Olivia nodded, forcing a polite smile. "Hi, Asher."

They stood in awkward silence for a moment before Amber, ever the conversationalist, broke the tension. "So, Asher, what have you been up to lately?"

Asher's demeanor relaxed as he turned his attention to Amber. "Just working a lot and trying to have some fun on the weekends. What about you?"

Amber launched into a story about a recent work project, and Olivia found herself fading into the background. She sipped her drink, feeling like an outsider in her own group.

She was about to excuse herself when Asher's words from the previous party echoed in her mind. She decided to give it one more try, hoping for a chance to change his impression of her.

"So, Asher," Olivia said, stepping into the conversation, "what kind of work do you do?"

Asher glanced at her, then back at Amber. "I'm in finance. It's not as exciting as Amber's work, though."

Amber laughed, clearly enjoying the attention. "Oh, come on, I'm sure it has its moments."

Olivia could see that Asher's interest was solely focused on Amber. She felt a pang of jealousy but pushed it aside. She wasn't going to let one guy ruin her night.

After a few more minutes of small talk, Olivia excused herself, needing some fresh air. She stepped out onto the balcony, the cool night air a welcome relief from the crowded house.

She leaned against the railing, lost in thought, when Amber joined her.

"Hey," Amber said softly. "You okay?"

Olivia sighed. "Yeah, just needed a break. You and Asher seem to be getting along well."

Amber nodded. "He's actually pretty interesting once you get past the initial jerk facade. I think he just doesn't know how to interact with people sometimes."

Olivia forced a smile. "Maybe. I just don't want you to get hurt."

Amber squeezed her shoulder. "Don't worry about me, Liv. I can handle myself. And who knows, maybe he's not so bad after all."

Olivia nodded, hoping her friend was right. "Yeah, maybe."

As they rejoined the party, Olivia decided to focus on having a good time and not let Asher's presence bother her. There were plenty of other people to meet and new connections to make. She wasn't going to let one bad experience define her night.

With a determined smile, Olivia plunged back into the crowd, ready to make the most of the evening. After all, life was too short to dwell on the negative, and she was ready to embrace whatever came next.