Page 95 of Olivia's Only Pretending
“Keep it,” he said, his eyes like melting butter watching me wear his hat.
I grinned victoriously.
“Now.” He leaned against my kitchen island with his arms crossed, eyes serious on me. The morning sun glinted through my window blinds, dancing over him like a spotlight. “Give me your update, baby girl.”
Victor and I used every bit of morning time we could before he had to head to city hall for a meeting with Adam, and I had to race upstairs to throw on real clothes. We walked out onto the front porch, with his hand tangled in mine.
He pulled it up to his lips and gave it a light kiss. “Hey, what do you think about coming to Emma and Gabe’s rehearsal dinner and wedding as myofficialdate?”
I hummed in interest. Birds chirped in the copper-colored trees in my front yard.
“I got an in with the groom, you know. I could make a call and get you seated right by me and all that good stuff.”
I was pretty sure they were already going to seat us together, but I played along. “A real live wedding date?”
Victor’s forehead wrinkled. “Oh, you know, there’s no pressure. I don’t want you to feel rushed or pressured,” he reassured me. “I know my Dr. Rhodes might want to take thisslow, keep it in the research period, before you’re sure about it all.”
My young, playful Victor handled me with such intention and care. “Iwantto go as your date.”
His shoulders dropped in relief. We kissed goodbye, and as he was driving away, all I could think was howsureI was about us.
After work the next day, I met Lucy at a dress boutique in downtown Sweet River. We piled our arms with gowns in autumnal colors for the November wedding. Both of us were humming along to the early 2000s pop music playing from the speakers overhead.
“I like you in this emerald green color,” Lucy said as I twirled in front of the dressing room mirror in a shiny green satin slip dress that fell right under my knees.
The two of us were crammed into the same dressing room. We’d shared one since we were preteens and never stopped.
It was a benefit of having a sister—real feedback right away, without having to leave the dressing room.
“How cold is it supposed to be this weekend?” Lucy asked, sifting through the dresses hanging on the rack in our room. “Do we need jackets or shawls?”
“We should double-check the weather. You know how it is in Texas.” The weather was moody and unpredictable.
I shimmied out of the green dress, ready to try on a burnt orange one next in my lineup.
“How dressy should Adam be? Is it like a dress shoes and slacks wedding, or a boots and button-downs type wedding?” Lucy asked, slipping a long-sleeve, flowy dress over her head.
“I can shoot Victor a quick text to double-check.”
“You know, I was at Coffees and Commas this morning and overheard Katie telling a customer all the Hernandezes were bringing dates,” Lucy said, eyes wide. “I can’t believe I’m just now telling you. Do you know who he’s bringing?”
“Me,” I said, trying not to smirk. I could literally feel the twinkle in my eyes.
“Like … officially? A real deal, proper date?”
I nodded excitedly. “I’m Victor’s official, real deal proper date.”
“Olivia Rhodes.” Lucy’s chest puffed, dropping the hanger in her hand. “When did you two decide this?”
“He asked me yesterday.”
“How did you not immediately text me this information? I thought we were making progress with your sharing.” Lucy collapsed onto the small bench in the corner.
“It’s been one day since he asked me, Lucy.” I cocked my head at her theatrics. “Plus, I told you about the kiss right after it happened, didn’t I?”
“You texted me.” She pulled open her phone, clearing her throat before reading my message aloud, “‘Hey, FYI, Vic showed up at my work thing tonight, and we kissed again. But I’m not freaking out this time or anything. I think it’s a good thing.’”
“That’s pretty vulnerable and open,” I said, raising my hands defensively. “The kiss was a good thing, and Iopenlyadmitted that.”
