Page 41 of Awakening

“He did, but he’s obviously a fucking liar.”

“Do you have any idea who these guys are?” Nick asks.

“Not yet, but I’ll see if I can get more information about Moretti from Olivia tomorrow night. What do you remember about him from when you knew him before?”

“Not much of substance, unfortunately. When I was around him it was pretty much drinking and partying.”

“It’s all right. I’ll get to the bottom of this one way or another.”

“We’ve got to get Olivia out of there and back home, man,” Nick says.

“Trust me, I’m doing everything I can to encourage that.”

“How did dinner go?”

“It was a good night, Nick. A really good night. She let me kiss her, and not just once, and not just a little peck.”

“No shit? Wow, that’s a good sign,” Nick says.

“Yeah, and she didn’t just let me. She was definitely into it. She may not remember me, but her body hasn’t forgotten.”

Ten

Olivia

“Thank you for this,” I say as Anthony hands me the last bag of groceries he insisted we buy after moving what little I have into the new apartment today.

“You’re welcome,” he says. “I want to be sure you’re eating well-balanced meals while you’re still recovering. You can’t do that if you don’t have any food.”

“We can order a well-balanced takeout meal,” Chloe says. “It always worked for us in college.”

“Not quite the same,” he says, scolding her with his eyes, then looking back at me. “If you don’t like to cook, then I’ll just have to come over and cook for you whenever I have the chance.”

“You don’t have to do that. We’ll figure it out,” I say with a smile. “Thank you for your help with things today. I know how busy your life is, so I appreciate you taking the time to help me with this whole apartment situation.”

“Spending time with you happens to be my favorite thing to do right now, regardless of what we’re doing.”

“Ugh,” Chloe scoffs, and I catch her rolling her eyes as she unloads a bag of groceries.

Anthony glares in her direction. “Plus, the papers had to be signed.”

“Please thank your parents for me again. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I really appreciate their generosity.”

“It’s nothing,” he says, “and you can stay as long as you want.”

“Hey, boss,” we hear on the other side of the door along with three loud knocks. “Your pizza is here.”

Anthony opens the door, taking the box. “Thanks, Marco.”

“Uh, Marco,” I say before the door closes, “I’m having a visitor tonight, Ethan, the same man you harassed last night. I’d appreciate it if you’d just let him pass tonight, please.”

Anthony’s mouth turns up in a grin when I mention Ethan being harassed. “Boss?” Marco asks.

Anthony nods and says, “Yeah, if that’s what Olivia wants, then it’s fine.”

“Thank you,” I say, raising my chin as the door closes. “I’ll get some plates.”

“So, uh, you never said how it went with Sullivan last night,” Anthony says.

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