Page 82 of Time To Live Again

“Guess he wasn’t afraid of heights, huh?” I say, full of jealousy.

He spins the black ring around his middle finger. “Not really. I was when we did that, but it was such an adrenaline rush. Totally worth it.”

“Did you guys ever bungee-jump or go skydiving?”

His glow dims a little. If someone didn’t know him, they probably wouldn’t have noticed. But I did. “Bungee-jumped. Skydiving was next on the list. Then he got sick, and we never got the chance. After that, I didn’t want to anymore.”

I’m going to change that. Somehow, somewhere, I’m going to make him jump. And I’ll be right there with him…even if it kills me.

Our food comes, and we question how hungry we are because the table is almost too small for our several dishes. We’re in our own little bubble, feeling like we’re the only ones in the café. I love doing normal couple things with him. This weekend was beautifully unexpected.

“Olive?” Someone calls my name. I turn and am surprised to see my friend, Dawn. Beside her is her husband, carrying their sleeping daughter.

I usually run the other direction when I see old friends, but this time I’m happy to see them. I jump up. “Oh my gosh, Dawn. Kain.” I give her a hug. “How are you doing?”

“We’re great. But how about you? You look amazing.”

I press my hands to my warm cheeks. “Thank you.” Dawn’s eyes dart to Leo. Leo stands and comes to my side. “This is my boyfriend, Leo.”

That’s the first time I told someone he’s my boyfriend… I couldn’t be more proud.

He shakes their hands, and we make small talk. I haven’t spoken to them this much in nearly a year. I’m not avoiding conversation this time.

Before they leave, Dawn leans close and says, “Keep up whatever you’re doing. You look happy again. Don’t be a stranger anymore. We miss you.” That warms my heart and also breaks it.

We say goodbye, then drop into our seats. “That was unexpected,” I say. “She’s a high school friend. She tried to help me when I returned from LA, but I pushed her away. Like everyone else, she eventually gave up. I don’t blame her.”

“She was thrilled to see you. That’s a true friend.”

Tears threaten to spill over. “Leo, who am I? I was a stranger to myself, avoiding everyone I knew because I was miserable and embarrassed. I’m so ashamed—I treated people like Dawn horribly. But now, I’m a new person. Not completely healed, but I’m getting there.” I dab beneath my eye with a napkin. “Am I making any sense?”

Leo slides his chair closer to me. “Perfectly.”

I take a few cleansing breaths, but my thoughts remain tangled. My food is an afterthought. “The number of changes that I’ve had since my birthday is hitting me like a tidal wave.”

He strokes my hair. “Olive, talk to me. Do you want to leave?”

I put my hands on the table and take a deep breath. “No. Give me a sec. I need to let everything sink in. Please don’t worry. It’s nothing bad. I’m sorry for acting weird.”

I’m happy, healthy, and have an amazing boyfriend. I’m extremely grateful and lucky to have gotten a second chance to live again.

“Don’t apologize for your emotions. Everyone deserves a chance at happiness regardless of their past. I believe that now,” he murmurs as he tenderly holds the nape of my neck and draws me closer. Rubbing his nose against mine, he adds, “And you, Olive, are the reason I do.”

If someone asked me now if I’ve ever been in love, I’d say yes. I am.

36

LEO

“Hey, girlfriend. Did you finish chopping the garlic? I need to add some to the tomato sauce.” I peek over Olive’s shoulder to check her progress, then brush her hair aside and kiss her neck instead. I can’t get enough.

“Hey! Stop that before I cut off a finger,” she says over her shoulder. “Would you still want me with only nine garlicky fingers?” I can hear the way her mouth lifts in the corner.

“Like I’ve told you a thousand times, I’ll take you anyway I can, stinky and all.” I steal a kiss, then resume my work at the stove.

I woke up this morning with Olive lying on me like a blanket, and I enjoyed every second. She’s not a figment of my imagination or some woman I met last night. I’ve had my share of women over the years. Every encounter was to get off and leave right after. Sex and nothing more.

How different sex is when it’s mixed with attraction, affection, and love for the other person! The connection Olive and I have is life-altering. What if she hadn’t shown up under my tree…ourtree…on her birthday? Would fate have found another way to push us together? The thought of going back to my mediocre life makes me break out in a sweat.

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