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148 Words
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Relief washed over the paralegal and she gave Teddy a small smile. She released her hold on the bottle to let Teddy take it before she stepped into the apartment. Olivia stayed near the door as her eyes took in the place.
She unfurled the scarf from around her neck and unzipped her jacket. Clearly she was still feeling a little uncomfortable about having thrown a tantrum the last time they actually spoke. But she had to suck it up and own up to her mistakes. She was an adult.
She turned to where Teddy was and cleared her throat. "I owe you an apology for the way I've been acting the past couple of weeks." She started. As starters went, she figured it wasn't too bad. "I acted childishly and I actually have no excuse other than embarrassment. I misread things and blew things out of proportion."
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100 Words
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The reception she was offered didn't surprise Olivia, really, it further coloured the paralegal's cheeks in embarrassment. Although, she was instantly glad that Teddy was actually home so a small smile curled her lips as she held a hand up in greeting.
"I should have called but...I realised that halfway through knocking on your door." Her smile melted into a sheepish grin as she slipped her raised hand under her hair, rubbing her neck.
She took in a short breath and let it out in a small puff before raising the hand with the bottle of wine. "Peace offering?"
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161 Words
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The offer Natalie gave had Olivia deliberating for a few seconds, wondering whether it was a good idea to spend more time with this woman. It was also just now occurring to Olivia that she needed more friends. In hindsight, it might not be the best idea to befriend the woman Teddy was also seeing but at the same time, why the hell not?
Natalie didn't seem at all like someone who would screw someone else over to get what she wanted. She was just incredibly nice, someone Olivia needed as a friend. Kenny was an excellent person to turn to but Olivia also realised she needed friends her own age.
And really, this was hardly a bonding moment for either of them, at least not one Olivia had in mind so what was really the harm in that?
"I'd love to." Olivia nodded with a small smile. She gestured with one hand for the other woman to lead the way.
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189 Words
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After the run in with Natalie, Olivia couldn't help but feel absolutely guilty for the way she had treated Teddy the past two weeks. While she hadn't exactly been dismissive or cold, she wasn't her usual cheery self around Teddy either. She'd remained professional in the workplace while hardly keeping up contact with Teddy outside of it. She supposed she could blame her self preservation but she had to blame her own insecurities as well.
Olivia had always thought she was the gracious one in the relationships she'd built but this time, her partner was. She knew she needed to make up for it. She just hoped Teddy would accept her apology.
She'd brought a bottle of wine with her to Teddy's apartment, hoping it would be enough as an olive branch, and maybe a nightcap with the lawyer if she was lucky.
Olivia combed through her dark, wavy hair with one hand and took several deep breaths before knocking on Teddy's apartment door. It was only then that she remembered, she should have called or at least texted first to see whether the lawyer was home.
"Damn it."
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181 Words
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Olivia smiled and nodded along with her remark. "I think so too." She admitted. The paralegal couldn't deny talking to Natalie now seemed easier, the atmosphere was as light as it did when they first met in the office. Just two strangers talking about nothing in particular.
"I think I need the motivation and structure of classes to do anything." Although cooking and running was something Olivia could do on a regular basis if she had the time. She had made it a habit when she was younger but it was neglected the moment she entered the workforce. She still loved cooking though, that didn't really change.
When they finally arrived at the lounge, Olivia breathed out in relief as she peeked in to see whether Kenny was already there but found that she wasn't. She pouted slightly before turning to Natalie. "She's not here yet. But thank you so much for getting me here."
Olivia took her phone out to see whether Kenny had texted her but her phone was free of notifications. "I can just wait in here, right?"
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120 Words
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When Natalie continued with the recommendation, Olivia realised that she was most likely just making excuses not to do it. Which was probably a good thing that Natalie pushed, even if it was just slightly. She nodded again and gave Natalie a smile. It wouldn't hurt to try, she figured.
Thanking Natalie as she stepped through the door, she turned when the taller woman asked about her classes. "Everything, really. Knitting, cooking, foreign language, photography. Just whatever is being offered down at the town square, really." She shrugged. "I haven't been to many these days. Work is piling up." She shrugged as she pocketed her hands in her jeans.
"Do you have any...hobby classes? Other than yoga, I mean."
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167 Words
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The idea of meditation wasn't a bad one but it wasn't something Olivia felt she could afford. Being Teddy's assistant brought with it less time to do anything else. Which she didn't actually mind because she had only been doing those extra activities to fill her time to feel less obligated to have time to her thoughts. She was aware that that wasn't exactly healthy but it was what she had always known.
"Most of the time work sort of consumes me so I don't -- I usually attend these hobby classes." Natalie really didn't need to know more about her neuroses. And fact of the matter was, this revelation she had stumbled upon was the only cause of her insecurities for now. She just felt incredibly inadequate at dating. Possibly only that.
"Maybe I'll look into it." She followed Natalie towards her destination. She felt a lot lighter though, compared to when she first saw Natalie that afternoon. She just hoped she hadn't bogged Natalie down any.
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224 Words
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Olivia had been avoiding looking at Natalie for the sole purpose of not wanting to let her see how stupid all of this was making Olivia feel. It could have all been easily dealt with had Olivia just taken a bit of initiative to find out exactly what Teddy had wanted out of their connection. She'd been selfish and presumptuous in thinking she was the only one Teddy had.
When she finally lifted her eyes up at Natalie, she also offered a smile at the advice. It wasn't really some revelation but for Olivia, it was what she needed. Honestly, all she apparently needed was someone to listen. It was just unfortunate for Natalie that it had to be her right then.
"I did need to and you're not my source of discomfort. Not really. Believe me." Olivia sighed, not knowing how else to convey that it wasn't Natalie's fault. "I'm very good at working myself up over nothing. Most of my anxiety comes from my own insecurities, believe me. Being aware of it just makes it even worst." She chuckled sheepishly, as she bit her bottom lip.
"Thanks for listening though." Olivia tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and looked at Natalie with a less nervous smile. "And thank you for not pointing out how much of a mess I am."
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293 Words
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Natalie was gracious enough to let her get everything off her chest and once everything was out, Olivia felt like a weight had been lifted. She could breathe again and things became a hell of a lot clearer. She also realised that while she had really made a mountain out of a molehill, it felt like she was absolutely justified. But it also meant she was now highly aware that she was definitely the only one this was affecting and she definitely needed to get over this slump before she lost Teddy.
Finding out that Natalie was also new to this doubled Olivia's relief. Natalie didn't show it at all but Olivia took comfort in the fact that she wasn't the only one jumping into new territory. Olivia couldn't help scrunching her nose in disagreement when Natalie didn't take to being called an Amazonian goddess. Olivia couldn't see anything else but. However, she wasn't going to say that. Natalie probably already thought she was a weirdo anyway.
Her question sounded so simple, which should have indicated how complicated Olivia had made it out to be. Although it did beg the question whether Olivia really thought that that was the only reason she had been upset. "I don't...know? Part of it yeah. I think I'm more upset that I'm going into this blind. I'm partially blaming myself for not knowing what dating actually entailed." She paused before mentally slapping herself for unloading once more on Natalie.
"I'm sorry, Natalie. I really shouldn't be talking to you about this. I feel like it's inappropriate of me to do so." She breathed out slowly. "I feel like I'm trapping you into being my soundboard and we don't even know each other." Olivia laughed nervously as she shook her head slightly.
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283 Words
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The question Natalie posed illicited an almost imperceptible groan from the paralegal. It figured that of all things that made Natalie a step better than Olivia was that she was perceptive. She had thought she covered most her anxieties quite well.
"Yes." Olivia's answer came before a rushed no was said. "It's not...you perse. I'm just a jumble of nerves right now and it's honestly not at all your fault. You're perfect." Olivia rushed her response before running her fingers through her hair.
"I can be honest with you, yeah?" She asked and before Natalie could answer, Olivia continued. "I haven't been in a relationship for three years and before that I was in three committed ones since I was a teenager. This is my first time dating a woman and really just...dating in general. I have no clue what I'm doing and suddenly I'm dating someone who's dating someone else and that someone happens to be this...Amazonian goddess and I think I might pass out."
Olivia was getting short of breath. This was exactly why she left the arguing to the lawyers she worked for. On paper, Olivia was meticulous, eloquent and precise. Much was left to be desired when she was put on the spot without actually having time to think things through. Did she really just call Natalie an Amazonian goddess to her face?
"I'm sorry...I'm really not good with people without proper material." She smoothed her eyebrows down with her thumb and took deep breaths. "That was way too much information and you don't even know me. You didn't deserve that unloading."
It honestly didn't help that Olivia didn't actually have anyone to talk to.
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141 Words
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Natalie's response drew a relieved breath from Olivia and she nodded before her heart sank at Natalie's answer to her question. So she was the only one who had a problem with it. She'd pretty much had the dating thing all wrong, thinking that it was only just her and Teddy.
"Right." Olivia nodded, hoping her disappointment didn't show all too well. Her previous anxities started to crawl back to the surface as her mind played out all the reasons why she should just stay away from Teddy. She didn't blame either of the women. in fact, to Olivia, it made more sense for Teddy to go for Natalie.
There wasn't even a need to compare Olivia to Natalie because clearly, the latter was more superior in so many ways.
"Have you had these dogs for a while?" Olivia blurted out.
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108 Words
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Olivia's stomach sank when Natalie asked for a clarification. Immediately, she went on the defensive, wondering whether Teddy had spoken to her at all. She wouldn't have ignored Olivia's request, would she?
She slid her hands into her jeans pocket and pursed her lips as she tried to regain her composure. Why had she just assumed that Natalie knew what she was talking about?
"I'm sorry...I mean...us being...with Teddy." She turned to Natalie with a sheepish grin. "I assume Teddy's told you about me? And her?" She asked, noting that her voice had thinned considerably. This was exactly why Olivia avoided confrontations of any kind.
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102 Words
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Part of her still had her doubts about even talking about it and she wanted Natalie to say no, that it was none of her business. But the taller woman did say yes and she was suddenly stuck.
"I'm just...trying hard to wrap my mind around...this situation." She finally breathed out, chewing on her lower lip as she struggled to get more words out. She was still so sure that she was making too big a deal out of this.
"You're...okay with all this?" She asked. She suddenly felt like a young child asking for permission from an adult.
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178 Words
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It was nice to know that people like Natalie was responsible for the children here. Although Olivia knew Kenny could definitely hold her own wherever she went, it was still a relief that there were people taking care of her as much as possible. "That's good. You know what they say, choose the job you love." Olivia offered a smile.
Olivia simply nodded at Natalie's joke before her previous smile lifted once more. The paralegal did believe that sentiment but she also actually loved her job. It was the part of her life that came easy for her.
When she was led out of the building, Olivia stepped out and waited for Natalie to lead the way again. "Thank you," she smiled at Natalie as she walked out. "Natalie," Olivia started as she composed her thoughts. Now that Natalie was here, she found that she really needed to clear the air. And she wanted some form of confirmation in that she really was the only one who found all this foreign. "Could I...talk to you? About Teddy?"
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185 Words
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"Jeez, that's a long time." Olivia laughed nervously. She had handled Kenny like a pro when she was younger but Kenny had generally been a really chill baby. She couldn't imagine the kids Natalie had to train day in day out. "I guess you like kids enough to deal with them daily."
The reminder that the last time they had met had been when Olivia was just starting to get sick had her flinching. "Oh thanks. Uh...work's okay. Teddy likes to keep busy so that means I'm busy too. Which is good. My work life balance is for shit though. That's one of the reasons why I have to see Kenny on my day off." She paused and scratched the back of her neck. "We've been seriously neglecting each other and that just won't do."
Honestly, now that they were talking, Olivia wanted to get an actual conversation going. She wanted closure on the whole thing but she felt like it would just make a mess of things. She seemed to be the only one bothered by it and she still didn't know why.
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