Page 36 of Olivia's Only Pretending
His cheeks were a warm pink.
“You’re always worried about making ’em proud, but all I saw tonight was a proud family.”
It was quiet for a beat, just the cool water swirling around our feet.
“The kids do love me.” He grinned that sideways grin of his.
“Yeah, it was pretty cute.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “They absolutely soaked you, though.”
He pulled on the front of his wet T-shirt. All the VBS face paint was smeared now. “This isn’t soaked. This is a light splashing.”
“Oh really?” I crossed my arms.
He quickly splashed me, a spray of cold water hitting my chest.
I squealed.
“See, that’s a splash.”
My mouth hung open as I looked down at my wet tank top. “This is what I get for hanging out with the fun uncle.”
“And this,” he continued, jumping into the water with his clothes still on, “is getting soaked.” He snaked his hands toward my hips.
I squealed but didn’t put up much of a fight. The water felt good on my skin, and Victor’s rough hands felt even better.
We splashed each other, shaking with laughter. David and Terrence drank their beers and stepped away, unfazed by our childish, giggly pool fight.
Later, I ran inside, with a towel wrapped around my dripping self, looking for the bathroom. As I turned a corner, I stopped, finding Linda and Katie were talking in what looked like an office. I opened my mouth to say something, maybe ask for help finding the bathroom, but then I stopped when I heard them say my name.
“Olivia’s pretty cute, huh?” Linda said quietly.
“Oh, she’s so cute. She’s sweet, too,” Katie said. “And smart. You know she’s a professor?”
They were talking about me. I leaned in closer, water dripping from my clothes onto the hardwood floor.
“How could I not know? Victor brings it up all the time. Mom, she knows Latin. Mom, she studies Greek texts. Mom, she’s oh so brilliant,” Linda said, through laughter. “He’s so impressed.”
“It’s honestly so precious to see Victor proud of her like that.” Katie leaned against the big mahogany desk in the center of the room.
“He is proud, huh?” Linda smiled thoughtfully. “You know, he told me he’s never been able to talk to someone the way he does with her.”
My heart tugged. Victor had said that?
Katie put a hand to her chest. “Well, he told me that they’re hanging out almost every day. He makes it sound like he’s just working on her house, but it’s more than that. They’re eating dinners together, hanging out late talking, and meeting up with friends and her sisters.”
“Do you think he’s lying to us that they’re only friends?” Linda sounded hurt.
“No, I think they’re lying to themselves, maybe.” Katie huffed. “I think they’re playing it really safe with the age gap. She’s like thirty, you know.”
“Do you think she’s leading him on?”
I felt all the blood drain from my face. I wasn’t trying to lead Victor on, though my feelings for him were confusing and complicated.
“No, no.” Katie swatted that idea away with her hand. “You can tell she really cares about him. I think they’re genuinely best friends … for now.”
“Victor’s never settled down,” Linda said, setting down whatever book was in her hand. “I’ve never seen him like this. I don’t think there’s ever been a girl he wants to spend this much time with. He’s usually bored and moving on to the next thing, the next project.”
“Yeah, he told me he’s never even said the word ‘love’ to a girl before,” Katie said, her voice nearly a whisper. I had to strain to hear. “Our Victor’s never fallen in love.”
