Page 19 of Am I the Only One

“Did you have a good Christmas?”

“I did. It was great seeing everyone. You?”

“Yeah, it was fine,” he says, slightly distracted as he peers over my shoulder.

I turn to see who he’s looking at, and I have to do a double take when my attention snags on familiar red hair. “Who’s that?”

“Olivia. Her parents are old friends of the family,” he tells me, and when the two of them catch eyes, he gives her a nod, saying to me, “I haven’t seen her since she graduated a couple years back.”

“Why not?”

Olivia starts walking in our direction.

“She wanted more,” he says under his breath as she nears us.

“Luca,” she drawls, holding out her arms and then giving him a hug. “Oh, my gosh, it’s been forever!”

I catch a hint of her subtle perfume, but it isn’t until she turns to me that it finally clicks. It’s the girl Mrs. Montgomery’s husband was with the day at the coffee shop.

“Olivia, this is my friend, Emma,” he introduces.

“It’s good to meet you.”

“Likewise,” I say as I secretly judge her.

“Are you at Georgetown too?”

“She is,” Luca answers for me. “She’s actually my roommate.”

Olivia glances between the two of us, curiosity gleaming in her expression, to which Luca clarifies, “Just roommates.”

“Whatever you say.”

I wonder if Luca knows that Olivia is just as slutty as he is and is having an affair with a married man.

“So, do you live in the city?” I ask.

She takes a sip of her red wine. “Bethesda, actually. But I’m in the city a lot for work.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a political schedule coordinator. I’m currently on the campaign staff for William Montgomery.”

She’s on a lot more than just his campaign.

“Luca,” his father calls, waving him over to where he stands with a group of men. “I want to introduce you to someone.”

Luca excuses himself, leaving Olivia and me alone.

“That sounds like a great job. Do you like it?”

“It’s extremely stressful, but yes, I love it. And Tripp is great to work for.”

“Tripp?”

“Oh, sorry. Yeah, it’s what everyone calls William.” She takes another sip of her wine. “What about you? Do your interests lie in politics?”

We find ourselves strolling lazily toward the windows that boast a spectacular view as we chat.

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