OLIVE - FOUR MONTHS LATER
“That skirt is fine on you,”Bronwyn said, clearly exasperated from where she sat on the couch as Olive changed for the third time.
“I want to look nice,” Olive said, turning around in the mirror to make sure her underwear lines didn’t show. “Charlie’s coming back to town today.”
“I know, you wouldn’t shut up about it,” Bronwyn said.
“Excuse me for wanting to look nice for my soon-to-be girlfriend, boyfriend, theyfriend… at least, I hope so.” Olive tugged nervously on her hair, trying to make sure there was no loose strand. Her hair was tied up in a high bun, exposing her neck in a way she knew Charlie would love.
“There’s no way they’ll say no, whatever title you give them.” Bronwyn was sounding more exasperated by the minute. It was true that Olive had been talking about this very night for a while. Olive wanted to make it special. Wanted to make Charlie feel as treasured, as she had the entire time they’d been seeing each other.
They had seen each other on and off for the past little while,Charlie being swept away with the life of being a proper celebrity now. The brand deals, endorsements, and documentary requests (yes, multiple) had come in since Milan. Olive understood that in a career as turbulent as Charlie’s, they needed to make all their money while they were in demand, so they could smartly save and invest the rest of their earnings for when they retired, which was likely to happen in the next few years.
Olive had learned more than she ever thought possible about the business of being a hockey player in the past few weeks, but she guessed that came with the territory of being a hockey WAG.
Well, not officially yet. But hopefully soon.
Olive ignored Bronwyn’s annoyance and ran to the bathroom to grab her favourite lipstick. She checked the time on her phone and nearly cursed. She was going to run late, at this point.
“Don’t forget, you need to be out of here in an hour,” she called out to the living room as she slipped on her shoes.
“Why?”
“So I can bring Charlie back here, duh,” Olive said, grabbing her purse and digging through it for her keys.
“Gross. I’ll definitely be gone,” Bronwyn called out. Olive didn’t bother to reply, the door already closing from her leaving a few seconds prior.
At the restaurant, Olive was nervous as she waited for Charlie to show up. She had last seen them a month ago, and she felt the weight of every single day without them.
She stood in front of the restaurant, remembering the last time she had waited like this for her lover all those months ago. So much had changed since then, and for the better. She felt a bit more sure about her career, her creativity, and who she wanted to share all those milestones with.
“Hey, baby,” a familiar voice said, and Olive was pulled out of her reverie with a cheek kiss.
“Hey, darling,” she responded.
Charlie looked slightly different from when Olive had last seen her. Their hair was short around the sides and long at the back,giving them the perfect mullet look. Olive ran her hands through it.
“Nice mullet,” she said.
“Nice face,” Charlie said, using the fond voice they tended to use in Olive’s company. Olive wanted to ask them right there and then, but she had a plan.
“Hardy har har,” Olive deadpanned, and grabbed Charlie’s hand. She pulled them inside, where they were soon being led to their table.
Recognizing that Charlie was likely to hold out her chair for her, Olive let go of their hand first and made sure to beat them to the chase.
“After you,” she said.
Charlie was still blushing when Olive took her seat across from them. She could tell Charlie was about to say something when their server came up and interrupted them.
After the usual pre-ordering pleasantries (“Still or sparkling water?” “Still,” Olive and Charlie said at the same time), they were finally alone again.
Olive reached across the table for Charlie’s hand. “I missed you,” she said.
“I missed you too.”
It was difficult not to ask the question throughout the meal, but somehow, Olive managed to survive. When she went to pay for the bill, she had to strategically make sure it did not go to Charlie, who had been spoiling her all the times they had met prior. She could feel Charlie’s questioning gaze on her, but she was relieved that the athlete knew better than to mess with one of her plans.
When it was finally time to leave, Olive stood first and held out a hand to Charlie.
