“And the fact that I love you means nothing?”
Not exactly the way I wanted to confess my feelings to her, but I guess this is what we’re doing today.
“No. This is my life, Stanley, and I get to say what I want it to be.”
“That’s it? There’s no chance of a future because I make life messy?”
“That’s it.”
I drop the sandwiches on her desk and stand, but not before I leave her with parting words.
"Olivia, if you learn one thing from me, let it be this. Life isn’t perfect. It’s messy and raw and real, and that’s what you have to look forward to, plan or not. I don’t know what number your parents did on you, but we all deserve to have someone in our lives that loves us. And make no mistake, Liv. I love you. I love every side you give me. Even the ones you think might not be perfect. You’re perfectly imperfect, and it’s what I love most about you.”
I drink my fill of the woman sitting at her desk. The one that isn’t showing me an ounce of emotion. Her mask is in place—the one that doesn’t show the world anything—and I know I’ve lost her.
“Take care, Stanley.”
I guess I really didn’t know Liv as well as I thought I did.
I don’t say anything else as I leave her office. There’s nothing else to say. Because what else is there when the woman you love breaks your heart?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
OLIVIA
Imogen
Think you can peel yourself away from Tag long enough to have dinner with us tonight?
Sienna
We miss you!
Olivia
I saw you two last weekend
Imogen
That was last weekend
Imogen
I’m beginning to forget what you look like
You’re being dramatic
Sienna
Question still stands
Sienna
Are you freetonight?
Yes
I can cook dinner if you want
