Page 32 of Love in the Lab (Delaneys in Love #2)

Chapter twenty-six

Molly

I open the door to my apartment, not bothering to fight my giddy smile, and almost jump out of my skin. Olivia sits on the couch, arms crossed and scowling. Jeez Louise, that’s twice in one evening I’ve been jump scared. ‘Tis the season, I suppose.

“Where have you been?” Olivia demands.

I quickly school my expression before closing the door.

Did she see me with Jonathan outside? I’m not exactly sure how long we stayed out there, making out against the cab of his truck, but I don’t think it was so long that Olivia and Annie would be home already.

I gave them the spare key so they could let themselves in, knowing I’d likely be fast asleep.

“Why are you back so early?” I counter. “And where’s Annie?”

Olivia’s shoulders droop, her expression shifting from annoyance to something more raw, and I suspect, more truthful.

She washed her face and changed out of her costume into joggers and an oversized T-shirt.

Her eyes look red and swollen, as if she’s been crying.

Before I can catalog further, she turns her face down, staring at her hands in her lap.

I settle onto the couch next to her and loop an arm around her shoulders. She shifts until she’s leaning into me, her face hidden in my neck.

I flashback to when my sister was five years old and I held her on the couch after the “pet lizard” she brought inside from the backyard was crushed on the tracks of the sliding glass door.

I was twelve, and Olivia was my shadow and sidekick.

As I held her tiny body racked with sobs, an uneasiness seeped into my own psyche.

It wasn’t the first time I felt like I was absorbing the emotions of people around me, but it was the most profound for me at the time.

Not only did I feel Olivia’s anguish, I felt an almost uncontrollable surge of protectiveness and helplessness that left me disoriented.

That protective instinct returns now, full force, but I’m no longer twelve years old. The helplessness I felt then has been replaced with unfamiliar new confidence, almost like a dress I’m trying on for size and admiring in the mirror of the department store fitting room.

“Livvy, what’s wrong, honey? What happened? Did you and Annie have a fight?”

In a flat voice, Olivia answers. “No. Annie’s fine. She’s still with her brother. They walked me home after the parade. I just … couldn’t stay with them.”

I feel my forehead furrow as I try to puzzle this out. “Why not?”

Olivia pulls away, swiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “Never mind. It’s stupid.”

I frown. Obviously, she’s not telling me the whole story, but I know from experience that if I press, she’ll shut down even more.

“I’m going to get ready for bed,” she says now, and I let her go.

After she shuts herself in the bathroom, I text Nicole.

Molly:

Have you talked to Olivia lately?

Nicole:

Not really. Why? Isn’t she with you this weekend?

Molly:

Yes, but she’s not acting like herself

Nicole:

What do you mean?

Molly:

I don’t know. She always acts so unshakable, but now…

Nicole:

***

Molly:

She’s shook