Page 53 of Awakening

“Oh, hi,” I say, shaking his hand. “It sounds like we must know each other?”

“Quite well,” he says with a genuine smile. “It’s good to see you, Olivia. I heard through the grapevine that you might be around today.”

“Not only is she here today,” Ethan says, “she’s home for good.”

“Oh, that’s incredible,” Nate says. “I’m really happy for you guys.”

“Thanks, Nate,” Ethan says, pulling me to his side and rubbing circles on my lower back. “We’re happy too.”

“So, I’ll get that apple martini ready for you. Are you having one too?” Nate asks Ethan.

With a chuckle, Ethan says, “I think I’ll just stick with a beer. You know what I like.”

“Got it,” Nate says, laughing in return. “If you want to have a seat,” he says, pointing to a circular booth, “I’ll send those drinks right over.”

“Thanks, Nate,” Ethan says.

I’m not paying as much attention as I should when we turn to go to our table, and I run directly into the chest of another very large man. I smell him before I see him, and a cold chill runs through my entire body. I look up to see a good looking man about my age staring at me with hard brown eyes. I grab Ethan’s wrist, practically digging my fingernails into his skin, before he can walk too far ahead of me.

Ethan turns around with a frown. “Olivia? Are you okay?” He turns all the way around to see the man who is now smirking like he’s the keeper of some kind of dirty secret. Ethan immediately puts a protective arm around my waist and pulls me close. “Austin,” he says addressing the man. “What the fuck did you say to her?”

Austin puts his hands in the air in front of him. “Not a thing,” he says. “So, the rumors are true. You’re back.” His statement is directed at me.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ve been really concerned,” Ethan says. It’s obvious they aren’t friends. “Fuck off, Austin.” Ethan guides me by my waist away from him and over to our table.

“Who was that guy?”

“He’s a pompous dick. He made an inappropriate comment about you one night we were out, and he’s been arrogant and disrespectful ever since. Then my sister was so kind to taunt me with him further by dating him. Thankfully, it was short lived.” He studies me for a minute. “What did he say to you, Liv?”

“He didn’t say anything. There was just something about his energy. Something negative. I guess it just caught me off guard,” I say as Nate approaches our table.

“Here we go,” he says, setting the drinks down. “One amazing apple martini and one light beer. Enjoy, guys.”

“Thanks, Nate,” Ethan says, still eyeing Austin across the bar. Rubbing my thigh under the table, he says, “Is he making you uncomfortable? We can leave.”

I shake my head. “No.” I smile at him. “Let’s celebrate.”

“Cheers to that.” He clinks his glass to mine and then leans over to kiss me. Leaning back in my seat, I take a sip of my martini, which really is exceptional. Unable to keep my eyes from wandering back to the source of the negative energy, a chill runs down my spine and the hair stands up on the back of my neck when my gaze meets Austin’s cold, hard glare on the other side of the bar. Something tells me that this man is much more than just some arrogant jerk. Austin is dangerous.

Thirteen

Olivia

My palms start to sweat as Ethan knocks on the door to his family home. I use the word home loosely when I refer to their mansion in the woods.

“Hello? We’re here,” he calls, opening the door and ushering me inside. The first to greet us is a beautiful girl with long dark hair and vibrant green eyes.

“Olivia! Oh, my goodness.” She immediately envelops me in a tight hug. “It’s so good to see you. We were all so scared,” she says, pulling back. “We’re so glad you’re safe now.”

“Thank you,” I say with a smile. “You must be Vanessa?”

Her face drops for a second. “Oh, yes. I’m sorry. I was so excited to see you that it slipped my mind for a minute. I’m Ethan’s sister, Vanessa.”

“It’s good to see you, Vanessa,” I say.

“It’s so good to see you too, Liv. Just so you know, you and I are great friends. You can count on me for anything,” she says with a wink. I have a feeling she and I really are great friends, and my nerves settle slightly until I look around her and see Ethan’s parents.

“Olivia. Come here,” Ethan’s dad says, opening his arms and coming toward me with a hug. “I’m Edwin.” He pulls back to smile at me. “We’re so happy you’re home.”

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