After what happened between Sable and him before dinner at the mansion last night, he knew that it was pointless and hopeless trying to forget her with another woman. And it wasn’t fair to Olivia. She deserved better than a guy who was hung up on his step-mother. Tonight, he was going to end things with her. It was the decent thing to do.
He stood there at the table, waiting for her to show up. Five minutes later, she showed up and her face lit up when she saw him. She looked amazing in an off the shoulder, knee length black dress. It really was too bad that he couldn’t reciprocate her feelings for him. She was such a terrific person and fun to be with.
She went over to him and smiled up at him. “Hello, Handsome,” she said before they hugged.
“Hello, Olivia. You look amazing.”
“Thank you.”
They sat down and ordered their drinks. After looking over the menus, they ordered. “So, how was your week?”
“Busy as usual,” she replied. “What about yours?”
“Busy too.”
“So, how are you enjoying your penthouse?”
“I’m enjoying it very much. I can’t get over the views.”
“Have you had any visitors as yet?”
“You mean my father and–step-mother?”
“Yes.”
“No, not as yet.”
“I’m sure they’ll love it too. And it’s not far from Yorkshire. They can visit you as often as you want them too.”
“Yes. I suppose that’s why I decided to move to Manchester instead of London.”
“Yes, London is over three hours away. You would only be able to see them on the weekends.”
“Yes.”
“I’m the same way with my family. I like living on my own but I also liked that they’re just a half hour’s drive away.”
“Yes, it’s good to have family close.”
“Do you still go on family trips?”
“No.”
“You mean not since your father remarried.”
“Yes.”
“The last time I went on a family trip was the year I graduated from university.”
Dessert came. Then, it was time to go. After paying the bill, they left the restaurant. He took her home and when they were standing outside of her semi-detached home in the village of Stainton, she invited him in for a nightcap. He declined.
“Are you sure you won’t change your mind?” she asked, looking very disappointed.
“Olivia, thanks for helping me to find the penthouse and for dinner…”
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re about to dump me?”
“I’m sorry. I know how you feel about me but I just don’t feel the same way.”
“I didn’t want to believe it but I suspected that there was someone else.”
He didn’t answer.
“I think I can guess who it is.”
He stiffened. “Who do you think it is?”
“Your step-mother.”
“What makes you think it’s her?”
“I’ve noticed the way you act whenever we talk about her. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
There was no point denying it. “Yes. I’ve tried many times to convince myself that it was just an infatuation and that I would soon get over it.”
“But it isn’t an infatuation. You can tell me that this is none of my business but are you and she–?”
“Yes, for three years now. I’ve tried to end it many times, but–“
“So, she’s the reason why you couldn’t move to London. You still want to be close to her.”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, Layne, I wish I could help you to get over her.”
He sighed heavily. “It’s hopeless trying to get over her.”
Olivia reached up and touched his face. “If you need a friend or someone to talk to, you have my number,” she said.
He nodded. “Thanks, Olivia. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Layne.” She watched him walk to his car and drive away. Poor Layne.
Notes to Women 