In My Life

Chapter 17:

Blinking a few times, Olivia had to ensure that this was not some daydream—that he was truly standing there before her, that irresistible smile on his face.

"Well, you see," she replied playfully, tossing her hair to the side. "I'm not like most girls." The small banter between them made her heart swell with a warmth that had been missing since she arrived here.

As if on cue, the bartender returned, placing the drinks Olivia had ordered onto the bar top. "There you go, Miss," he said, his professional demeanor unfazed by the exchange unfolding beside him. 

Before the bartender could walk away, Olivia quickly unzipped her wallet, determined to take care of the bill. "Ay now, hold up.  I need to pay for these."

However, the bartender paused, glancing at the man beside Olivia. "It's been taken care of," he said with a nod, a knowing smile on his lips.

The man raised his dark and thick eyebrows at Olivia, his lips curling into a whimsical smile. "Oh, but I do remember you are not like most girls," he said, his gaze following as she tapped the ash from her cigarette into a nearby silver ashtray. "It's not every day I run into polite, hard-to-get girls."

Olivia couldn't hold back her laughter as a radiant smile spread across her face. She put out her cigarette in the ashtray, her eyes dancing as she took in his impeccable appearance —the sleek black suit, the batching bow tie that adorned his neck.

"But I'm surprised at your memory, Mr. Everly," she teased, her voice with a playful edge. There was an undeniable charm to the way he carried himself, a confidence that enveloped her like a comforting embrace.

His eyes narrowed as he focused intently on her. "How could I forget a beauty like you, Olivia? Besides, you did give me that bump on the head to remember."

Olivia's cheeks flushed a bright pink, a shy smile emerging from her lips. "That I did," she replied, her voice soft and warm. "You flatter me too much, and remember, just call me Liv."

She glanced over to the table where Julie was sitting, noticing her friend's curious gaze fixed in their direction. "I've got a drink to deliver," Olivia continued, "You're welcome to come join."

"How could I say no?" he responded, his voice carrying a note of admiration as he continued to be mesmerized by Olivia's beauty. It had been a while since their paths had last crossed, and it seemed to him that she had only grown more beautiful with time.

As they reached the table, Julie eagerly accepted the drink Olivia handed her.  "Ah, just in time for this," she remarked with a grin, raising the glass in a small toast before taking a sip.

"Julie, this is Don Everly," Olivia introduced, watching as they exchanged a firm handshake.

Julie brought her martini to her lips, taking a quick sip before flashing a friendly smile. "Pleasure for sure," she said, her eyes darting between Olivia and Don. It was clear to her that most of Don't attention was focused on Olivia, a fact that didn't go unnoticed.

"Well, please, have a seat," Julie offered, gesturing to an empty chair at the table.

It was clear that Don's mind was elsewhere as he repeatedly glanced over his shoulder at a table and then back up at the stage. "Excuse me, I'll be right back," he said, rising from his chair with an apologetic smile before making his way across the room.

Julie noticed Olivia's eyes tracking his every move, a mixture of curiosity and something deeper in her gaze. With a teasing smile, Julie leaned in closer. "Seems you and Mr. Everly have a lot of history together! Should I even ask?" she joked, her tone light and playful.