Life As We Know It

Chapter Sixteen: The First Date

Lionel bounced on his heels nervously as he knocked on Olivia's front door, he smiled as he heard Toby barking and smiled as he waited; he still couldn't believe that she had agreed to go out with him.

The footballer's smile faded away as Gavin opened the door to him and glare, he blinked a little confused wondering what the lawyer was doing here when he was taking Olivia out on a date.

"Is Olivia here?" Lionel asked trying to sound confident, he knew that the pregnant brunette was taking a break from Gavin but it un-nerved him that Gavin was here now.

Gavin smirked as he looked at Lionel, he had heard that the footballer was making a move on his fiancée and it needed to be stopped now.

However before he could speak Olivia batted him out of the way and glared at him, she offered Lionel a sweet smile that only made the lawyer more jealous of the footballer that was trying to steal her away.

"I am so sorry... Gavin just came to pick something up," Olivia explained as she stepped out of the doorway and pressed a kiss to Lionel's cheek, she shot a look at Gavin knowing that he needed to leave now.

Lionel sighed in relief glad that the lawyer wasn't staying, he had worried for a moment there that she had said yes out of pity for him.

"Adiós Gavin," Olivia said dismissively as she brushed some hair from her face, she stepped back into her home and signalled for Lionel to follow her while she finished getting ready.

Lionel grinned at the annoyed look on Gavin's face, he knew that this was a good sign for him and he moved to follow Olivia only to be stopped by the other man.

"Enjoy it while you can Messi... Olivia is mine," Gavin said darkly, he had come to get some work that he had left behind and he hoped his presence freaked the footballer out enough to scare him away.

"We'll see about that," Lionel said back before he walked into Olivia's home and closed the door after him in Gavin's face, he took a deep breath as he calmed himself.

The last thing that he wanted was for Gavin to ruin his first date with Olivia, Lionel wanted this to be special and he was determined to make it so.

"Lo siento... I had no idea he was coming around," Olivia said from her living room as she pulled on her silver metallic gladiator sandals, she looked at Lionel as he entered knowing that Gavin's presence would have been a shock for him.

Standing up, Olivia smoothed out her black floral print cami dipped hem dress her hands brushing against her bump knowing that it was slightly covered by her flowing dress.

"You look beautiful," Lionel said with a small smile, he was glad that Olivia had said yes to the date and he couldn't take his brown eyes off of her.

Olivia blushed a little as she smiled at Lionel, she was never going to regret the fact that she was going on a date with him right now.

"Shall we go?" Lionel asked as Olivia collected her black textured clutch bag, she nodded as she checked that she had everything; she wanted to have a good time tonight.

***

"This is nice," Olivia said as she sat across from Lionel in the Italian restaurant that he had brought her to, he had picked the restaurant after listening to her talk fondly of her time in Milan.

Lionel wanted to know everything about the woman that he had fallen for and that was carrying his unborn daughter, he couldn't wait for the baby to be born but until then he was focused on winning Olivia's heart.

"I'm glad you like it," Lionel said as he put down his menu, his heart warmed as she smiled at him and he was determined to make sure that she didn't go back to Gavin without a fight.

Olivia sipped on her water, she was impressed that Lionel hadn't ordered himself any wine especially since she couldn't drink since she was pregnant.

"So what are you having?" Lionel asked as he continued to watch Olivia, she looked beautiful and he knew that Gavin didn't deserve her; he was sure the lawyer was cheating on Olivia and she deserved so much better than the man that was using her.

"The braised fennel sausage ragù with incredible Torrione chianti, parmesan and herby breadcrumbs," Olivia said as she checked her menu again, her stomach grumbled a little making Lionel chuckle as he nodded his head as he watched her closely.

***

"Do you want any dessert?" Lionel asked as he finished his dinner, he felt so full but he didn't mind staying a little longer if Olivia was still hungry; he loved spending time with her and their date was going so well.

Olivia shook her head as she rested a hand on her stomach, she was sad that the evening was coming to an end and she was happy that she had given Lionel a chance.

"I'm full," the brunette said as she watched Lionel, she wasn't sure what would happen next but she knew that she would never regret this date that they had shared.

Lionel nodded as he signalled for the bill, he sipped on his water wishing that there was something more that he could do to drag the date out; it had been a wonderful night.

The waiter set down the bill and walked away leaving the couple alone, Lionel reached forward and checked the price before he moved to get his wallet so that he could pay.

"What's my share?" Olivia asked as she raised an eyebrow at Lionel, she watched as he paused for a moment before shaking his head; she couldn't let him pay for the entire meal.

Lionel was a little surprised that she had offered to pay for half of the meal, Sage had never offered and neither had any of his other ex-girlfriend's; he had always been the one to pay.

"It's okay... I got it," Lionel insisted as he slipped some money into the bill holder and closed it, he wasn't going to allow Olivia to pay; it didn't feel right to him.

Olivia rolled her eyes as she reached for the bill, she couldn't just allow him to pay for her; she didn't think it was fair and always liked to pay her why when she could.

"I'm serious Oli... it's my treat," Lionel said as he looked at the brunette seriously, he paused as he realised what he had called Olivia and blushed embarrassed at what he had done.

Olivia stared at Lionel speechlessly as the waiter returned and took the bill, she'd never had a nickname like that before and most people called her Olivia or Liv; she kind of liked Lionel's nickname.

"Okay... then I'll pay next time," Olivia said before Lionel could even apologise, she smiled at him reassuringly that what he had called her was okay.

Lionel sighed in relief as he smiled at Olivia, he had worried that for a moment that he had upset her; he was working so hard to make everything work between them.

"Okay," Lionel said in agreement as he carefully got to his feet, he offered Olivia his hand to help her stand up; the brunette smiled at him knowing that she was glad that she had come out with him.

Olivia got to her feet and grab her clutch, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything was going to be okay; she felt happy and that wasn't a feeling that she could describe when she had been with Gavin.