11
Olivia
The girls are almost finished with their food, so I say, “I hope everyone saved room for dessert.”
Sissy says, “Damn. You out to make us fat?”
Pinky, who is curvy, shakes her head. “Ignore her. The rest of us aren’t going for the heroin-chic look.”
I grin. “I made a cherry-o-cream pie and a fresh fruit salad. Something for everyone.”
“See? Didn’t I say she was the best!” Jas says.
Everyone agrees, but Karma, Claws, and Sissy. I get the feeling I may never impress them, which is fine. The feeling is mutual at this point. I go to the kitchen and grab the desserts. When I come back, everyone dives into the pie, including Sissy.
Jas says, “I’m so glad you agreed to do this for us. We usually have to fend for ourselves or go out to eat, which gets old real fast.”
Kiwi agrees, “Feel free to cook for us whenever you want, Olivia.”
I’m about to reply when Saint and Razor come into the room. The conversation dies off as each woman looks at them, like they want to gobble them up. Jeez. I hope I don’t stare at them like that.
Razor says, “See? I told you I smelled steak.”
“Who cooked this?” Saint asks.
Everyone points at me and I feel my ears and cheeks warm.
“I hope it’s okay.”
He goes to Jas plate, where she has a bite of steak left on it, and picks it up, popping it into his mouth. Gah. Even the way he chews is sexy.
He swallows and says, “Fuck yeah, it’s okay. Is there more?”
Sissy and Claws trip over each other trying to be the first one to serve him.
It’s Mama Bear who ends up handing him a clean plate, though, and she gives me a little wink as she says, “Since Olivia was nice enough to cook for us, which one of you is going to clean up?”
She’s looking right at Sissy and Claws. Both glare back at her.
Saint says, “Sissy, aren’t you on kitchen duty this week?”
“Yeah. Just didn’t know we were going to have a feast that I’d be cleaning up after.”
I say, “I can help-”
“No. She’s got this. Right, Sissy?”
Sissy’s jaw clenches, but she replies, “Of course.”
Claws smirks at her, as if she’s won.
Saint must notice, because he says, “I’m sure Claws will be more than happy to help.”
Sissy is the one to sneer this time as Claws nods.
“Good.” He says to King, “Let’s eat, brother.”
The two fill their plates, taking empty seats at the end of the table. There’s an awkward tension that wasn’t there before, and one by one, the girls slip away. I’m about to leave when Bash comes in with Razor.
Bash says, “I didn’t know there was food.”
“Olivia made it,” King says between bites. “Fucking good.”
I grin. “Thanks.”
Bash says, “You didn’t mention that you could cook.”
“I didn’t think it was important.”
“Guess it wasn’t. But, if you ever want to cook for everyone again, let me know so I can be here when it’s hot.” He gives me a smile that makes me feel warm inside.
Bash and Razor fill their plates and sit. Bash picks the seat right next to me, even though it means he’s further away from the other guys. He takes a bite and sighs.
“You can cook. You’re cute as hell. And smart. Olivia, is there anything you can’t do?”
“Swim,” I admit with a rueful shake of my head. “I just can’t get over the fear of not being able to touch the bottom.”
“I can teach you, if you’d like. It’s an important skill to have, especially since we live by the ocean.”
The ocean is an hour away, and I’ve managed to go this far without knowing how to swim, but I nod.
“Sure. That could be fun.”
“I can tell by the look on your face that it’s not going to happen. That’s cool, though. I’ll just have to make sure I’m around to protect you.”
The warm feeling returns. “I’d like that.”
He gives me another smile, but this one makes me aware of everything. How close he is. The way his throat moves when he swallows. How he’s talking to me when he could be talking to his friends. And I know I’m going to do something reckless tonight, if given the chance.
“I saw what you did in the kitchen. I didn’t even recognize it, with it being so clean.”
“Thanks. I’m just glad I could help.”
He gestures toward his plate. “I have a feeling you’ve created a monster. Mama Bear is the only one who tries to cook around here and she can only make three things. None as good as this.”
“I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”
He calls out, “Saint, tell Olivia what Mama B can cook.”
Saint laughs. “Mac and cheese, ramen noodles, and opening a can of spaghetti-o’s.”
Bash turns back to me. “See?”
“Well, maybe I can cook something now and then.”
I’m already planning what I’ll make next.
“So, I’ve been meaning to ask – do you have a boyfriend?”
That makes me snort. “Uh, no.”
“Why is that funny?”
“My roommate would tell you that I’m anti-social and only leave the room to go to class.” I shrug. “She’s not wrong. I spend my time in class, studying, or working. That doesn’t leave much time for dating.”
“I find it hard to believe that no one has snagged you up, though.”
“Well, believe it. I’ve been on, like, six dates.”
Ever. I don’t add this part because people tend to give me a funny look. I’m not being coy or downplaying the number of dates. It’s literally six with the same guy. He moved too fast and I ended up doing things I wasn’t ready for. When I tried to slow things, he said I was a tease and broke up with me. After that, I decided I didn’t need to date anyone. Not for free, at least. And not when there weren’t set rules.
Bash says, “Dating is overrated.”
I smile because he’s trying to make me feel better.
He finishes his food and stands. “You ready to get out of here?”
I glance toward the kitchen. “Maybe I should help them before-”
“Hell no. Come on, let’s go.” To the others, he says, “I’m running Olivia home.”
They all tell me bye and Bash leads me outside. It’s always a bit of a surprise when I leave and realize how late it is. We go to his bike and I get on behind him, putting my helmet on.
He does the same and then says over his shoulder, “You know, if things were different, I would ask you on a date.”
He starts the bike before I can reply. I wrap my arms around his waist as we take off. Today’s been a good day. The best one I’ve had in a long time, to be honest. We pull into the dorm parking lot and come to a stop. I hate that time seems to fly when I’m on the back of a bike.
Bash looks up. “Looks pretty lonely up there tonight.”