“Thank you,” I say, forcing a smile.
He laughs quietly, his breath visible in the cold air.“Relax, Olivia.Your smile looks like it’s being held at gunpoint.”
“I’m trying!”
“Try harder.”He takes my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.“Now, which way to town?”
I shoot him an annoyed look.How am I supposed to act normal when every time he touches me, my pulse goes haywire?
I point down the street toward Main.“About six blocks that way.”
We fall into step together, and I’m hyperaware of his gloved hand around mine.The neighborhood is quiet with only the occasional car passing by.A few of my parents’ neighbors are outside, hanging wreaths or stringing up lights.
“Olivia Hartley!Is that you?”Mrs.Hughes calls from her front yard, abandoning her half-decorated bush to hurry toward us.Her silver hair is tucked under a red knit hat, and her cheeks are flushed from the cold.
“Hi, Mrs.Hughes,” I smile, automatically slowing down.
“When did you get back to town, dear?”she asks, her eyes already darting curiously to Alexander.
“Just this morning,” I say.
Before I can say anything else, Mrs.Sullivan from across the street spots us and jogs over, her face lighting up with delight.
“Olivia!”she exclaims, pulling me into a hug that smells like hairspray.“When did you get back?”
“Just this morning,” Mrs.Hughes answers for me, and they share a look that makes me want to sink into the sidewalk.
Both women turn to Alexander, their eyes twinkling with barely contained curiosity.“And aren’t you going to introduce your friend?”Mrs.Hughes asks slyly.
I feel my cheeks warm despite the cold.“This is Alexander, my boyfriend.”
Their eyebrows shoot up in perfect unison.
“Boyfriend,” Mrs.Sullivan looks disappointed.“I was hoping to introduce you to my nephew.He’s an electrical engineer, you know.He’s very smart, and he lives just a town over.”Her eyes hold a hopeful glint as she looks between the two of us.
Before I can respond, Alexander’s hand tightens around mine.Just as quickly, he releases my grip and pulls me into himself, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.“I’m afraid your nephew will have to settle for disappointment.Olivia is already taken.”
“What do you do for a living, Alexander,” Mrs.Hughes says, curiously.
“I’m a businessman.”Both women’s eyes widen, and then he proceeds to add, “Olivia and I met at work.”The implication is clear, and the women exchange another look.
“Does Chase know you’re back?”Mrs.Hughes asks delicately.
I stiffen, but Alexander’s presence beside me is strangely reassuring.“I’ve not run into him yet.”
“So then you don’t know about him and Amber?”Mrs.Sullivan, ever the gossipmonger, murmurs.
It’s hard to keep my smile in place, but this is why my boss is here pretending to be my boyfriend, isn’t it?“I think Mom said something about him seeing Amber these days.”My tone is nonchalant.
“So you’ve not talked to him since…?”
These women are nosy.I forgot how much.
“No,” I lean into Alexander, partly because I’m beginning to feel tense, and partly because his arm around my shoulder is tightening.“We never really kept in touch.Besides, Alexander takes up all of my free time.I haven’t really had time to talk to Chase.But I’m happy for him and Amber.”
“Oh.”Before Mrs.Hughes can say anything else, Alexander cuts in.
“We really have to go.We have to pick up Sophie, and Olivia promised to show me around town.”
