Chapter Six
Butterflies
“Olivia, you need to calm down.” Ava ordered sharply.
“I can’t calm down. I need to text Mason.” Liv searched her bag for her phone making a note to buy a smaller one so she could find things.
“Honey, you are not cancelling.”
“Yes, I am. I’m not ready.”
“Pish.”
Liv looked up from her handbag. “Pish?” she repeated.
“Yes, pish, you are ready. The moment you met him you were ready.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“Don’t lie to me; more importantly don’t lie to yourself.” Ava scolded.
Liv pulled her hand from her bag. She wasn’t holding her phone though. Instead, she held her purse. Inside there was a photograph of Ryan, she’d taken it at Western pier. He’d been laughing at something goofy she’d said and he’d looked so handsome. Liv had grabbed her phone to take a picture while he’d shaken his head at her in amusement. She loved taking photos, it was another thing she’d stopped doing since Ryan had passed away.
“Liv?”
“Yes?”
“You were miles away.”
“I was thinking of Ryan.”
“You were smiling.”
“It was a happy memory.”
“You have a lot of those.”
“I do. It’s easier to think of the good times we’ve had now. After Ryan died, all I could picture in my mind was him lying so frail and poorly in the hospital bed.”
“Time heals.” Ava comforted her.
“Time helps, but it doesn’t heal.”
“One day it will. What time is Mason coming?”
Liv sighed. “He’s picking me up at seven.”
“And you’re going to go out with him aren’t you?”
“I want to, but I’m worried.”
“He’s already said it’s only as friends.”
“I’m not worried about that.” Liv bit her lip before continuing. “What if Mason makes me forget about Ryan?” she said in barely a whisper.
“Oh, sweetheart, dating Mason won’t make you forget about him, but maybe Mason can bring some happiness into your life.”
“I was happy with Ryan.”
“And you’re worried you will grow attached to Mason and he’ll leave you?”
Liv nodded.
“There are no promises in life, Liv, but if we don’t take risks and put ourselves out there, then we may as well not be alive.”
“I’m scared.” Liv admitted.
“I know, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. If you could see the way Mason looks at you.” She smiled. “He won’t hurt you.”
“He might not mean to.”
“Liv, you need to trust in him. Trust in your feelings. You have to give him a chance.”
Taking a deep breath, Liv nodded. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“You’re welcome. We need to find you something sexy to wear.”
Liv frowned. “It’s not a date remember.”
“It doesn’t hurt to look your best.”
“I guess. Oh god, what am I going to wear?” she almost screeched.
“Relax, I’ll help you. We have a couple of hours.”
“That’s not long. What shall I do with my hair?”
Ava chuckled. “Now you sound like me. Liv?”
“Yes?”
“We’ve got this.”
“Ok, ok, I’m sorry. The butterflies in my stomach are getting worse. I feel really jittery.”
“It’s normal.”
“Not for me. I mean, not since Ryan.”
“I know, but it’s good for you. Mason takes you out of the cocoon you’ve been in since Ryan died. He’s waking you up.”
“What if I don’t want to wake up?”
“I’m afraid it’s too late.”
Liv hesitated. “I really like him.”
“I can tell. The whole stalking thing gave you away.”
“When I didn’t know his name it was easier to block him out.”
“And now knowing his name has made it impossible.”
“Yes.” Liv smiled. “I keep feeling his lips on my forehead.”
“That’s hot; most guys would have gone for your lips or at least your cheek. Mason has class.”
“Even Ryan never kissed my forehead.”
“I looked up forehead kisses, and it said it’s a sign of adoration and affection.” Ava grinned.
“Oh, I like that.”
“The forehead kiss,” Ava sighed. “It's every girls dream.”
“Yes and Mason did it to me. I want to jump up and down in happiness, but I just saw the time! I need to get ready!”
“Don’t panic. I have an idea of what you’re going to wear.”
“What?” Liv asked her warily.
“I bought you something.”
“Ava, I have loads of clothes.”
“I know, but tonight is a big deal. I want you to wear something new.”
“Ok, but I’m not agreeing until I see it.”
“You’ll love it.” Ava frowned.
“No offence Ava, but the last outfit you brought me showed off my bum.”
“No it didn’t.”
“Ok, my bum cheeks.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Only when you bent over.” She bent over the sofa and grabbed a bag. “Here.” She said as she thrust it into Liv’s hands.
Liv took the bag and peaked inside. “Wow.” She murmured in surprise.
The dress was black with black lace around the hem and sleeves. The neckline was low, but not so low that it would show off her breasts. It was gorgeous and something Liv would have chosen for herself.
“Told you,” Ava said smugly.
“You can’t deny that we have different taste.”
“Oh, I don’t deny that, but you are a chicken when it comes to wearing sexy clothes.”
“I don’t have your confidence.” Liv said.
“It’s not about confidence, Liv. It's about not caring what people think.”
“I’m surprised you chose black.”
“It’s your comfort colour. This date is a big deal, I wanted you to feel comfortable and look smoking hot.”
“And I’m thankful for that.” Liv held the dress up and then hugged it to her body. “I love it.”
“Good. Now put it on. I don’t have long to do your hair.”
“I think I want to wear it down.”
Ava gave her a look and Liv bit her lip. Ava huffed. “Fine, I just think you look sexier with your hair up.”
“It’s not a date. Liv reminded her.
“By the end of the night it might be.”
“Oh gosh, do you think he will kiss me?”
“I think you might get another forehead kiss.”
“Gosh, I hope so.” Liv said excitedly.
They both sighed in unison.