Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 30: Not Ready To Let Go

POV: ENID

When we got back to the room, Olivia grabbed her towel from the edge of her bed and muttered, "Shower first," before disappearing into the bathroom with steam already curling beneath the door.

I sat on my bed, hoodie still clinging to me, heart still quietly thudding from her words in the hallway.
"I'm glad you held my hand last night."
Me too.

I peeled the hoodie off slowly, folding it over my lap and hugging it as the sound of running water filled the silence. I stared at the floor until the door creaked open again and a puff of warm air hit me.

Olivia walked out in shorts and a loose tank, towel over her head. Her skin glowed slightly from the heat, and there was something so casual, so undone about her that I forgot how to breathe for a second.

She glanced at me, her eyes soft. "Your turn."

I nodded, grabbed my things, and slipped past her into the warm fog of the bathroom. My thoughts were too loud—everything from the walk back, to her voice, to the hoodie still warm in my arms. I showered quickly, just enough to wash the ocean off me, then tugged on my sleep shirt and shorts before opening the door again.

Olivia was sitting on the bed, scrolling through her phone, legs crossed under her. She looked up immediately.

"Come here," she said, tossing her phone aside and patting the spot in front of her. "Let me dry your hair."

I blinked. "What?"

"Your hair," she said simply, reaching for the towel in my hand. "You always forget and end up sleeping with it wet."

She noticed.

I hesitated—barely—but walked over. My back was to her as I sat between her legs, the towel now in her hands.

She was gentle. Slower than I expected. The kind of gentle that makes your chest feel tight for no reason. Her fingers moved through my hair carefully, towel pressing lightly against my scalp.

Then the sky split open.

CRACK.

The thunder roared like something angry, too close, too loud. I flinched hard, instinctively twisting around and pressing myself into her, hiding my face in her neck.

"Shit," I muttered, voice muffled against her skin. "Sorry. That one was... loud."

She chuckled softly, her arm curling around me, the towel sliding down forgotten.

"It’s okay," she said, her voice brushing against my ear. "You can stay right here."

I didn’t move. Couldn’t. My heart was racing, and not just because of the storm.

Then the lights flickered—and went out. The hum of the AC died with it.

"...Power’s gone," Olivia whispered.

✿⁠ 

The power was still out, and the rain tapped steadily against the window as if nature itself refused to let the moment end.

Olivia’s arm stayed curled around me, her fingers resting lightly on my back. She hadn’t pulled away since the thunder sent me diving into her neck like a frightened child. I should’ve been embarrassed. I wasn’t.

"I didn't know you were this scared of thunder," she murmured, voice low and warm near my ear.

"I didn’t either," I whispered back. "Maybe it’s just... worse when everything else is already loud in my head."