Page 44 of Awakening

“What did you do today?” she asks, handing me the glass as we move into the living room.

“I had some work to do. My dad is taking advantage of the fact that I’m in Denver by having me follow up on a couple of contracts,” I say with a laugh, and then take a drink of wine.

“Oh, how did your parents react to our situation? I mean, I obviously don’t remember them, so I guess I don’t know how they’d respond to this.”

“They were devastated when you went missing, and they’re relieved you’re okay. Like me, though, they believe you should be at home with me.”

She looks at the ground and fidgets with her hands. “I’m doing to the best I can, Ethan. This is all so strange. I mean, can you imagine waking up and realizing you’ve lost five years of your life, and then being expected to go home and live with a man you feel like you’ve never met?”

The emotion in her voice tugs at my heart. “I’m sorry. You’re right, and I don’t mean to push you. I just miss you, Liv.”

“It’s okay. Just remember that I’m trying.”

I smile at her, taking in her beautiful features. “I know. I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”

As always, she doesn’t like moments of silence, so she changes the subject again. “So, the apartment is nice, right?”

I look around and shrug. “It’ll do for something temporary. I’m sure I could have found you something nicer.”

“You really don’t like him, do you?” she asks with a giggle.

“Moretti? Nope.” I set my wine glass down on the end table next to me.

“You can call him Anthony, you know?”

I shake my head and cross my arms. “I don’t think I can.”

“Men,” she says with a roll of her eyes.

“What do you really even know about him now, Liv? You guys dated a long time ago.”

“That’s true, but he’s been the same good guy so far. He comes from a good family, and he’s only tried to help me.”

“Speaking of his family, where are they from?”

“Um, I’m pretty sure they’re still in the Las Vegas area.”

“Vegas,” I say, nodding. “And, you liked them?”

“Yes, they were always good to me. They’re a very traditional, nice family. His dad owns a casino, believe it or not, and his mom, Gloria, well…Gloria was a fun shopping partner,” she says with a laugh.

“A casino? Really? Which one?”

“Lair.”

“Lair…interesting. What’s his father’s name?”

Olivia frowns as she takes a drink of her wine. “Carlo. Why all the questions about Anthony’s family?”

“Just curious,” I say with a shrug. “Any brothers or sisters?”

“Two brothers. Ethan, look, I get that you don’t like him, but you don’t have to worry about him, and you certainly don’t have to worry about his family. Can we not talk about them anymore, please?” she asks, leaving the couch to go stand in front of the large, open windows in the living room.

Standing to follow her, I ask, “What would you like to do?” I come up behind her and turn her to face me as I rub my hands up and down her arms. Her lips part as she stares at me silently with her beautiful green eyes. “How about this?” I thread my hands in the back of her hair and bring my lips to hers.

Eleven

Olivia

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