Olivia

Chapter 25 (Olivia's POV)

Time passes, and I simply avoid Simone at all cost. Gladys has even reached out to me, inviting me out with them, but I declined. I know that what I feel for Simone can never be something that we address. Even if we express how we truly feel, what can I do? That's my uncle's wife. If not for everything else going so great, I would regret moving here.

It's Sunday, and I'm set to move. Gladys knows about it and has offered to help me. I tell her there is not much that I have accumulated since moving here, but she insists, so I don't push her away.
This move means that Tina and I will be able to hook up much more often. I enjoy her company. I just want to enjoy our time together. No strings attached.

I pull up at my place, and I feel proud of myself. I feel like, maybe, this move was what I really needed. I love my current job, and I love the community, too.

As I am taking the last of my clothes inside, Gladys pulls up. She is making her way towards me with a champagne bottle in her hand. She was the one who helped me look for potential homes. I'm grateful to her for that.

She steps inside and looks around.

"This is really a nice place, Livvy. I know you will love it here."

"I already do, to be honest. Thanks for your help in locating this one."

"Ahh, that's no big deal," she hands me a party cup with some of the champagne, "we should toast."

I hold my cup up and think for a bit, "to new beginnings."

We sip at our champagne and chat until it is all gone. Majority of that went to Gladys.

She looks at me and grins.

"What's going on with you?" I ask.

She's giggly, "I'm just remembering the last time we had an empty bottle at our disposal. That was something else."

I can't help but blush, and I grab the bottle from her and put it on the counter. She follows behind me.

"I asked her about it."

I spin around, lightning fast, "you asked Simone?"

"Well, I had to. It was obvious that was more than just a dare. I'm wondering if you two would have been able to stop had it not rained."

That gets me laughing, "it's nothing really, Gladys. Just a dare."

"That's not what she said."

I want to question her. I want to know everything she said to Gladys about me, but I want to move carefully.

I look at her, like it's obvious what I need, "well?"

"Oh, never mind, Livvy. If you say it's nothing, I believe you."

Damn it!

"I want to know what she said," I blurt out too eagerly.

"So, it was something! If not, you wouldn't be so interested."

I roll my eyes at her, "fuck it!"

She starts laughing, and I feel a little upset. I try to move away to regain my composer.

She is right behind me.

"So..."

I have calmed down, but I think it's time she leaves.

"You better go home. I think you had one too many cups of champagne."

She grabs her clutch, "go ahead and make it seem like I am drunk or something, if it will make you feel better. By the way, I think you should talk to her."

She walks out the door.

So, she really mentioned the kiss to her. How else would she know I don't speak to her?