Chapter thirty-four: Ex-Magnet Indeed

O L I V I A

After Kai signed the papers, Gabe and Angeline began sorting through them immediately.

"Hey, Liv," Gabe addressed me.

"Hmm?" I hummed, still stumped for words. The entire meeting I had been quiet as a mouse, barely hearing anything.

I think it's safe to say that I'm not fond of surprises.

"Are those PJs you're wearing?" He asked.

Angeline coughed, plausibly to cover for the laugh that must've spontaneously bubbled up her throat at the vocal observation.

"Yeah," I answered. My lips were twitching themselves. "And is that an Armani tuxedo I see?"

"That's so you." He laughed. "And yes ma'am, it is. I had a business day."

A memory flashes through my mind at those words, whizzing past my eyes at lightening speed.

Myrtle, my roommate, was out with her friends. We weren't exactly chummy but we weren't enemies either. She had told me she would come back by late. That was the reason I had invited Gabe over for a movie night. That and because I had low-key missed him when he was gone.

We were laying side by side on my bed in my dorm then, watching the romantic comedy, Duff. It's a nice movie, but I would have enjoyed it more had it came without Gabe's countless profanities and comments on the characters. I was already tired of him being here again.

Don't watch a movie with Gabe if you intend to enjoy it. Duly noted.

"That's such a stupid thing to do," he yelled at the screen again and I sighed. At that point, I had stopped watching the movie. I planned to do it later when I was free.

And alone.

"Gabe?" I interrupted another one of his rants. He jumped and looked at me as if he'd forgotten me for a nice while here. I force my lips to smile. "Can we do something else? I don't feel like watching any more of this movie."

"Of course!" He said, shutting the laptop lid mid-scene.

Okkkaaayyyy.

"What do you wanna do?" He asked me.

"I don't know," I sighed.

"I think I might have something in mind," he said suggestively.

When I didn't outrightly show any objection, he took it as an affirmative response. He smirked, leaning closer. His lips touched mine and his hands started wandering.

"I missed this," he muttered between kisses and I hummed. I wondered faintly if boys were always this horny, ready to make out and have sex so easily. Just a moment ago he was annoyed at teenage stupidity and now look at him.

Things were just starting to get good when his phone rang loudly. I groaned, anticipating what he was going to do next.

"I'm sorry," he grunted out, rolling off of me and grabbing his phone.

I stuffed my face into the pillow and tried not to scream as he spoke. That always happened. Any good moment we had would be ruined to shreds if his bloody phone would ring. Be it a simple conversation over ice cream, or an intimate moment about to happen.

Like now.

"Sorry babe, I have to go." He got up, ended the call, and put on his shirt.

Shocker.

"Urgh, can't you stay?" I tried anyways, sitting up.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. I pursed my lips. "I'll be back soon."

"You came back this morning," I deadpanned.

"I know, I know," he sighed, "Dad needs me again."

"Okay," I said stiffly.

"I'm really sorry, baby," he apologized again, putting on his jacket. He pecked my lips once and then left.

I pushed the old memory away from the forefront of my mind, mildly disoriented. The past was better left in the past. I'm sure he had grown since then and so had I. I was doing better now. I wasn't broken anymore. I was healing. I focused on that.

"Hmm." I gave him a teasing smile.

I sought Kai's hand under the table. He had been silent and saying only as much as was needed. Most of the meeting had been Gabe and Angeline discussing things and then passing them by Kai. He would nod or shake his head in acceptance or denial. When asked to elaborate, he'd choose his words and keep the sentences short and concise.

When our palms touched, his fingers were quick to tangle with mine in a firm grip.

I knew what was going on. I knew it from experience. Our years apart had instilled this constant sense of insecurity in us. We couldn't bear having the other mingling with anyone who could be a possible threat, especially an ex. I had felt that with Chelsea and he was probably feeling that with Gabriel after realizing we were quite chummy.

It may also have something to do with the fact that you told him you hooked up with Gabe in college.

It was natural, I thought, in some ways. And I also believed that it was important that we didn't stop meeting our friends and exes just because it made the other one feel threatened. We trusted each other. We could work it out.

I felt in me somewhere that maybe I should tell Gabe that I wouldn't be able to meet up with him for Kai's sake like we had decided we would when we had texted a while ago. But then I thought that if Kai could hang out with Chelsea and expect me to be okay with it despite her being the one he cheated on me with, then I could fucking well meet up with Gabe when he was in town.

"How has business been?" I asked him to get the conversation going again. Working in silence with just the noises of paper and a possibly jealous boyfriend didn't seem very ideal to me.

"Busy." He sighed, organizing the last of the papers and handing a few files to Angeline. He put the remaining ones in his briefcase. "I've been traveling a lot and have barely had any sleep."

"Sucks," I agreed. "Did you see Mrs. Kaiser recently? How is she?"

"She's doing great," he replied, placing his briefcase on the ground. "She still remembers you sometimes."

"I miss her, too," I said.

"I'm sure." He smiled. "So," he gestured between Kai and me, "When did this happen?"

"After the reunion," I responded.

"I always knew you were going to find your way back to him." He shook his head with a laugh. "Ever since I saw that photo of his with a banana peel over his head. Anyone who irked such a reaction out of Olivia Davis has to have known and pushed all the wrong buttons. No offense, man."

"None taken." Kai shrugged good-naturedly. "It was an enlightening day for me."

I perked up at his choice of words.

"And what did you learn?" I asked curiously.

"That's for me to know and for you to guess, mon amour," he answered with a genuine smile.

"Aww seriously?" I pouted. I was suddenly dying to know.

He chuckled, squeezing my hand. "Yeah."

"So you really were high school sweethearts?" Gabe asked us.

"Yeah," Kai replied, surprising me.

"Lucky you," Gabe said. "I still haven't found The One."

"You will," I said reassuringly.

"What about you, Angeline?" Kai asked.

"Sir-"

"Eh," he interrupted. "The meeting is over. We're all friends here. Call me Kaison."

"Kaison," she smiled, "I don't think I've found her either."

"Didn't you go on a few dates last month?" Kai queried.

"Didn't work out." She shrugged almost uncaringly. "She said I was too workaholic for her."

"I second that!" Kai laughed. "You're working all the time. It's a Sunday and I'm guessing you've been holed up here all day. Take a breather, for Christ's sake!"

"I love it," she said unapologetically.

"My kinda woman." Gabe sighed wistfully. "Do you by any chance happen to like men too?"

She laughed, her blue eyes twinkling. "No."

"Oh, the desperation of the single ones," I teased Gabe.

"Shut up." He rolled his eyes. "I want a woman to call my home too."

"Join the club," Angeline said.

"Poor you," Kai jested, kissing the back of my hand that he was holding to emphasize his point. It prompted a laugh out of me.

They rolled their eyes simultaneously.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Nine thirty," Gabe read off of the screen of his phone. "Why?"

"I have work tomorrow," I said apologetically.

His eyes went wide and he stood up abruptly.

"Right, me too." He groaned. "I can't believe I forgot. I have a zoom meeting in an hour with an overseas client."

"Happens to the best of us," Kai said.

"That makes sense," Gabe remarked.

"Idiot," I pulled his leg.

"Youngest CEO of the company, dude," he flexed, picking up his briefcase and standing it on the table.

"Bleh," I said, but grinned. He knew I was proud.

He came to hug me. Kai let go of my hand so I could hug him, too. "Bye, Liv."

"Bye Gabe." I pulled back. "Keep in touch."

"Yes, ma'am." He mock-saluted. "You still up for the dinner sometime?"

"Of course," I answered with a grin.

"I'll text you," he replied as he walked out. "Good night!"

"'Night," we called.

"I'll get going, too," Angeline said. "It was nice meeting you, Ms. Davis."

"Likewise." I smiled.

"Bye." She walked out as well.

"Bye," Kai and I echoed.

"So that was nice," I commented as the door closed behind her softly.

"Yeah," Kai agreed. "Let's get you home now."

"Umhmm."

We got up, still hand in hand, and stepped out. We forgot to switch off the lights so we went back from the elevator to do that.

The car drive back was mostly quiet. I hummed to Jeremy Zucker and Chelsea Cutler as I watched the nightlife outside. When Kai parked in front of my apartment, I turned to look at him to find he was already looking at me.

"What is it?" I asked him, almost whispering. I didn't know why but I felt the need to be quiet.

"Do you still love him?" He asked me.

My mouth went a little ajar at the question. My tongue roamed the periphery of my teeth and I breathed in, resisting the urge to lose eye contact as I racked my brains to understand where this was coming from.

"As a friend," I answered.

"Why did it take you so much time to answer?" He asked hesitantly.

"I didn't know how to word it," I admitted.

He nodded. "Oh."

"Are you okay?" I questioned.

"Isn't he your . . . ex?" Kai remarked.

" . . . Yes," I replied. 

"How'd you figure it out, though?" I asked curiously. "There are a lot of Gabriels out there."

"You seemed pretty close." He shrugged a shoulder. "My gut said so. You were also very quiet tonight."

"Umhmm," I hummed.

Still got the hawk eyes, I see.

"You wanna come up?" I asked him. "You can stay over if you want."

"What about Josh and Sam?" He asked.

"It's my apartment, too," I pointed out. "If she can have her boyfriend over, so can I."

"Cool." His face finally stretched into a smile. "Meet you in the elevator."

"Okay." I kissed his cheek and stepped out.

He drove into the garage as I walked up the steps of the building. I reached the elevator and leaned against the wall as I waited. Less than a minute later, the doors slid open and I made my legs walk in. I was feeling overcome by exhaustion now that the night was over and I knew I was almost home. Kai wrapped his hand around my shoulder and just melted into his side.

The door to my apartment was not locked. We pushed it open and stepped in, greeted by the sight of the entire gang minus George.

"Liv," Griffin grinned in greeting. "There you are."

"Hey, Griff." I smiled back, stifling a yawn. "What's up?"

I shrugged off my coat and hung it on the coat rack as he talked, "I have something to tell you guys. I was waiting for you to come."

"I have news, too," Sam chirped. She was sitting on the loveseat next to Josh. They were cuddling under a duvet and looked absolutely adorable. "Have a seat. Wait- you went out in that? What the fuck?"

"Alright." I laughed, feeling energy seeping back into my bones at their palpable enthusiasm. "By the way, I have something for you guys as well. Also, yes, I did. There is nothing wrong with being comfortable."

"There is if you look like that," she grumbled. She turned to Josh, "Right, babe?"

Now I know what a dear caught in the headlights looks like.

"I have something for you guys," I repeated to save Josh.

"What?" They chorused, successfully distracted. Kai chuckled beside me.

"Ms. Susie's pastries!" I announced. They gasped in unison.

"Get out!"

"What?"

I laughed again. "Yeah."

"Holy hell. It's been a while," Griffin noted. Our eyes met and we agreed telepathically.

I held the parcel up, "There's not much cause we didn't expect all of you to be here."

"Shut up and bring them here," Sam whined.

"Okay!" I got some plates and spoons. I placed it all on the center table and they all attacked it like madmen. Kai and I watched them, seating ourselves on the vacant sofa.

"So?" I prompted them as I felt the exhaustion creeping in again. "What is it that you wanted to share?"

"I'll go first," Griffin said, practically jumping in his seat.

"Hmm?" I hummed. "Go on."

"So, I was thinking . . ." he paused, "I love George, right?"

"Umm, yeah." 

Sam and I exchanged a look, speaking mentally.

Is he having second thoughts?

'No, I don't think so. He looks excited.'

Then?

'Maybe listen?'

. . . right.

"And we've been living together for a while," he continued. 

"A week and three days, but go on," Sam encouraged. I suppressed a laugh.

"We've been dating for almost three years now," he stalled more.

"And?" I coaxed.

"I think we're ready," he said slowly. "I know I want to marry him. I think I'll propose. Soon."

Sam and I clashed gazes again. This time, we squealed like little girls, wriggling out of our boyfriends' snuggles to tackle our best friend together.

"Congratulations!" I yelled in his ear.

"You're gonna tie the knot!" Sam screamed.

"Oomph!" He groaned at our assault. "Yes. I love you guys, too. Now, can you get up? You're crushing me!"

"Of course." I laughed. "I'm really happy for you, Griff. Go for it."

He hugged me sideways. "Thanks, Liv."

"Me too," Sam whined. We laughed as we converged into another group hug, careful not to crush Griffin this time. The guys congratulated him over our heads and he chuckled as he thanked them.

"Your turn, Samantha," Kai smirked as I went back next to him. "What's your big news?"

"I think I'll hold off," she said, looking at Griffin. "It's his day."

"Don't hold back on my account," Griffin said as he ate his pastry. "I'm not engaged yet."

"It's only a matter of time till you pop the question." She rolled her eyes. "We all know it's a yes."

"Shh, don't jinx it," he hushed her.

She laughed. "Shut up! I didn't."

"Right. Now, your news?" Griffin got back on track.

We looked at Sam expectantly. Her cheeks bloomed with color under our inquisitive gazes. That was unusual for Sam. She thrives under attention, she didn't feel shy. I looked at Josh and he seemed to be bubbling with some happiness of his own. I gasped in realization and Sam's eyes locked with mine.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" I blurted out.

Her eyes widened a little before a grin overtook her face.

"Yes!" She laughed, almost relieved. "We're expecting!"

"I'm gonna be an aunt!" I deduced just as Griff exclaimed, "I'm gonna be an uncle!"

"How far along are you?" I asked her excitedly as he chortled.

"Six weeks." She grinned.

"Six . . . ?" I frowned.

"He was visiting me in Chicago," she admitted, her color deepening.

Ah, right. That time she was ill. 

"Fuck." Kai chuckled lowly beside me.

I shook my head. "I still can't believe I didn't know anything about this till like two weeks ago."

Like, imagine her explaining that she was pregnant and the father was Josh before the reunion. Crazy, hun?

"Sorry," she said apologetically.

"I understand." I sighed, smiling. "All is well that ends well."

"This calls for a party!" Griffin declared. "Vodka time!"

"I can't drink, dumbass," Sam glared playfully. "Keep up."

"Right," he nodded sheepishly, "Umm, pizza?" He improvised.

Sam and I high-fived as we laughed.

"Heck yeah!" We approved.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A/N:-

Whatcha upto?

QOTD: If given a chance, what will you choose as your alias?

Byyeee. See ya tom!

All my love,
xoxo.