“Hey, we don’t need all the answers right now. Come on, it’s getting late. We’ve got to wrap up the Delny project in the next couple of days.”
We stood to leave, and I couldn’t help pulling Olivia into a tight hug.
“Thanks, for everything,” I mumbled into her hair.
“Thanks for trusting me enough to be honest with me.”
16
Olivia
Carrying the lit birthday cake into the room, my steps careful and deliberate, I motioned to the gathered group, and as one, they all began singing “Happy Birthday.” Lisa had turned thirty, Jamie was turning twenty-five, and the whole office was in a celebratory mood. Luke and I had signed off the Delny project earlier in the day as well, so we had an additional reason to celebrate.
Ethan had hired a private area in a local bar, and almost everyone from Barrett London had turned up to enjoy themselves. Once Lisa and Jamie had blown out the candles, I wandered over to Eddie, smoothing my short, low-cut black dress down. Avery had let me borrow it for the evening, but I got the impression she regretted it going by the number of times she’d messaged me to warn me not to spill anything on it.
“Look at you.” Eddie whistled, twirling me so the skirt flared out around my legs, my hair flying around my face.
“It’s Avery’s dress.” I smiled at him, standing on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
I turned to Eddie’s boyfriend, George, who pulled me into a hug. “Long time no see, baby girl.” He grinned, his white teeth blinding against his smooth ochre skin.
“It’s good to see you. Has Eddie managed to talk you into coming to a karaoke night with me and Avery yet?”
“Not yet,” he laughed. “You really don’t want to hear me sing.”
“I really do. Pleeease,” I begged, sticking my bottom lip out and batting my eyelashes at him.
“Ahh, not that face. How can I resist?” He sighed. “Go on, then. Sort it out with Eddie, and I’ll be there. Your ears will regret it, though,” he warned.
“What will your ears regret?” A large body swung me up into a hug.
“Alex!
” I exclaimed, smiling. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“And pass up free food and drink? I’m all over it, baby.” He laughed. “Nah, Jamie invited me. We’re mates. He’s in my squad.”
I stared at him blankly.
“Gaming? Online? Shooting?” He mimed pressing a control pad, then pretended to shoot me with a gun.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but you carry on.” I patted his arm.
“Eddie, George, have you met Alex?”
They both nodded, falling into easy conversation, and I left them chatting while I circulated the room.
I hadn’t seen Luke yet.
I still wasn’t sure what to do.
The last couple of days, I’d taken a step back from him. It had been an effort, but I didn’t know if I could sleep with him and not want anything more.
I needed Avery’s advice. Tonight wasn’t the time or the place, though. Everyone was ready to celebrate and have fun, and there was no way I’d bring the mood down with serious conversation.
“Olivia.” Ethan’s smooth voice cut through the noise of music, chattering voices, and clinking glasses.
“Hey. Thanks for sorting all this. You did a great job.” I smiled, hugging him.