Too Close

Chapter 3

Olivia's P.O.V

I rinsed off the second bag of spinach then drained the leaves before adding them to the pan on the stove. As I stirred them in, Mira checked on the pasta next to me and turned off the fire underneath. We were cleaning up and preparing a Sunday dinner to welcome the new addition to the family.

"So, what's his name?" I asked her, trying to get an idea about this boy that we—or, er, I would be taking care of since Mira and Jack would be leaving again soon. I wondered how old he was.

"His name is Tyler," she answered over her shoulder. Sounds like an innocent name to me.

"Is he cute?" I asked as I handed her the drainer for the spaghetti.

"Really cute," she winked at me. Ok so far I knew a few things about him. I opened my mouth to ask how old he was when the doorbell rang.

"Oh, that must be him! Can you get the door? I'll finish up," she said. I handed over the spoon I held and moved toward the door. I opened it as I pulled my hair out of its ponytail and shook it out. It fanned around my face and I looked at the person standing on the other side. Though I could only see part of his side profile, I felt an odd sense of familiarity. And he was not a little boy.

"Hello, are you Olivia Callahan?" A woman in a skirt suit asked, walking around the guy who stood in front of the door with a bulky looking bag slung over his shoulder. His head was turned away from us as he watched something outside that seemed to have his full attention.

"Verano. I'm Olivia Verano," I answered. "Mira and Jack–I mean, my parents are inside." I stepped aside to let them in. I kept my eyes on him as he entered after the social worker but his head was still turned, taking in the inside of the house.

"Oh that's right, I forgot you were adopted..." She mumbled, looking around the small entryway.

"I was just working on dinner!" Mira appeared, wiping her hands on her apron. "Oh, Mrs. Clark, why don't you stay?"

"Thank you, but I can't," Mrs. Clark replied. "I'm just here to drop off Tyler. I have to get back to the office to finish our paperwork." Mira nodded and looked at the guy, who I realized now stared at me with a familiar smirk. Then it clicked.

"I understand...well it was nice seeing you again," Mira's smile was polite.

"Good bye, Mrs. Callahan and I wish you all well." The social worker stepped outside again, the door closing behind her.

"Tyler, this is our daughter Olivia. Olivia, this is Tyler," Mira gestured between Tyler and I. When neither of us said anything she waved a hand at him. "Come, give me your bag. I'll set it down for you." He handed it to her and she placed it near the door where we kept a cluttered shoe rack. Then she turned on her heels and headed for the dining room. I followed and Tyler trailed behind as we walked through the kitchen.

Jack was already seated at the head of the table and food was separated onto our plates. I walked to my seat on the right as Jack stood up.

"Tyler, welcome," he said with a smile.

"Thank you sir." Tyler shook Jack's extended hand.

"Please, have a seat," Mira gestured to the seat directly across from me. He walked to the chair and they all sat down.

Not knowing what else to do, I picked up my fork and started eating before anybody else. I was nervous and I couldn't help shooting glances at him, still stuck on the fact that he was not who I was expecting to show up at our front door. Instead of a troubled little boy, it was the same guy I ran into at the convenience store and the coffee shop just days ago.