Echoes of Us

Chapter 3: Crossing Paths

The night continued to unfold as Olivia and Amber mingled with the crowd, their laughter blending with the music that reverberated through the house. Olivia tried to push thoughts of Asher to the back of her mind, but it was difficult with him only a few feet away, engrossed in conversation with Amber.

As the hours passed, Olivia found herself on the opposite side of the room, chatting with a group of coworkers who had also shown up to the party. The conversation was light and engaging, helping her forget the awkwardness with Asher earlier.

But just as Olivia began to relax, she noticed Amber and Asher walking toward her. Amber was smiling, but Asher's expression was more serious. Olivia braced herself, unsure of what to expect.

"Liv, we're going to grab another drink. Want to join us?" Amber asked, her eyes bright with the excitement of the evening.

Olivia hesitated, glancing at Asher. He didn't seem particularly interested in her response, his attention more on Amber than anything else. She forced a smile. "Sure, why not?"

The three of them made their way to the kitchen, where bottles and mixers were scattered across the counters. Asher took charge, mixing drinks with surprising skill, while Olivia and Amber chatted about work and weekend plans.

Asher handed Amber her drink with a smile, and then turned to Olivia, holding out a glass. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Olivia said, taking the drink. She was surprised by the small gesture, wondering if it was an attempt to make up for his earlier behavior, or if he was just being polite because of Amber.

Amber took a sip of her drink, her eyes flicking between Olivia and Asher. "So, Olivia, are you planning any trips this summer? You mentioned wanting to go somewhere warm."

Olivia nodded, grateful for the change in topic. "Yeah, I'm thinking of heading to Mexico. Maybe Tulum or Cancun. I just need a break from everything."

Asher looked at her, finally engaging in the conversation. "Mexico sounds great. I've been to Cancun a couple of times. Beautiful beaches."

Olivia was taken aback by his sudden interest, but she nodded. "That's what I've heard. I could really use some sun and sand."

There was a brief pause before Asher spoke again, his tone casual. "I've got some connections down there. If you need any recommendations, I could help."

Olivia studied him for a moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. This was the most civil he had been to her, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

Amber, sensing the shift in the conversation, smiled and said, "Maybe we could all go together! A group trip could be fun."

Asher's eyes flicked back to Amber, and Olivia noticed his demeanor relax again. "Yeah, maybe," he said, his voice lightening.

The idea of a trip with Asher was not exactly appealing to Olivia, but she kept her thoughts to herself. She wasn't sure if Amber was seriously considering it or just caught up in the excitement of the night. Either way, it seemed premature to plan something like that.

The night continued with more small talk and laughter, but Olivia couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Asher's sudden shift in attitude, his newfound politeness—none of it added up. She wasn't sure if he was genuinely trying to be nicer, or if it was all just an act because of his interest in Amber.

Eventually, Amber excused herself to the restroom, leaving Olivia and Asher alone by the kitchen island. The noise of the party seemed to fade into the background as an awkward silence settled between them.

Olivia took a deep breath, deciding to address the elephant in the room. "So, Asher, what's with the sudden change? You didn't seem too fond of me the last time we talked."

Asher looked at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he sighed. "Look, Olivia, I was a jerk before. I know that. I shouldn't have said what I did. It was out of line."

Olivia was surprised by the straightforward apology, though she still felt a bit guarded. "Yeah, it was. But why now? Why the sudden interest in being nice?"

Asher rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away before meeting her eyes again. "Amber seems to care about you, and she's someone I... respect. I didn't want to cause any problems."

Olivia nodded slowly, processing his words. She appreciated the apology, but part of her couldn't shake the feeling that it was more about his interest in Amber than any real remorse.

"Thanks for apologizing," she said finally. "But just so you know, I'm not going to let anyone treat me like that again. Amber or no Amber."

Asher gave her a small, almost respectful nod. "Fair enough."

Before the conversation could go any further, Amber returned, her smile as bright as ever. "Did I miss anything?"

Olivia shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, we were just talking about Mexico."

Amber beamed. "Perfect! We should definitely plan something soon."

Asher glanced at Olivia, and for a moment, there was an understanding between them. They didn't have to be friends, but they could at least be civil for Amber's sake.

As the night drew to a close, Olivia felt a strange sense of relief. Things with Asher were far from perfect, but at least they were no longer openly hostile. Maybe, in time, they could find a way to coexist. For now, though, she was just glad the night hadn't turned into another disaster.