Saving Olivia

Getting there

Mason was slowly learning to cope with his ma's death. Talking about her seemed to help him the most, I think. The most vivid memory I have during this time was his three-thirty phone call. In the morning.

In some ways he reminded me of a little boy, just being separated from his mom for the first time. Of course I couldn't fault him for it. If I had known my mom, I'm sure I would've never wanted to let her go.

Mason was fortunate. He had memories of his mom. Good memories. I wish I could've known her.

I called Mason as I was walking home from work on Monday. "Hi, Mason. How are you?"

"You're smiling."

"What?" I asked, laughing a little. He is always so random.

"I can tell by your voice. You're smiling, Liv."

I laughed out loud now. "Anyhow, are you coming over to Lydia's for dinner tonight?"

"Livy, I've been at your guys house for dinner every night."

"So?"

"So tonight, I called Lydia I couldn't come."

There was a slight pause as I processed what he was telling me. Or rather, what I thought he was telling me. "Okay. Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow night then? I mean that is if-"

"Liv."

"What?"

"I cancelled dinner with Lydia. I didn't cancel it with you."

"I'd don't understand. Lydia will still be expecting me."

"Actually she won't be. I took the liberty of canceling for you too."

I pushed through the door of my apartment building and headed for the stairs. "Mason, I think you're getting kinda over bearing in your old age."

"You don't like it then?"

I came to a sudden stop. I was at the top of the stairs. Mason was standing in front of my door. Roses in one hand, his cell phone in the other.

"Surprise."

"What are you doing?" I finally found my thoughts and they were completely confused. Why would Mason cancel dinner at Lydia's just to show up at my place. "Mason, are you nuts?"

"I cannot answer that without giving you some corny line, so I'm gonna ignore that question."

"How about answering the first question then?" I asked as I came to stand directly in front of him. Jeans, plaid shirt. His hair slightly damp. And did he smell good. Not like, the city, just took a bath in cologne smell. Mason had the fresh out of the shower, clean smell. I loved it. And then I kicked myself for loving it. You cannot be attracted to his smell, that's stupid. Just stop thinking, you stupid girl.

"Olivia?"

"Huh?"

"I asked if you were okay? You seemed kinda dazed there."

"I'm fine. Why are you here?" I shifted my purse from one shoulder to the other.

"Because I wanted to know if you would go to dinner with me."

"Dinner?" I wrinkled my nose in confusion. "Mason, you had your chance to have dinner with me. At Lydia's, remember? You canceled."

"Alone, Liv."

"What?"

"I want to have dinner with you without Lydia and Lena. I want to take you to dinner. Just the two of us."