Page 31 of Not in the Plans (London Lightning #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

OLIVIA

“ Y ou know I don’t need a fancy restaurant, right?”

I burrow closer into Tag’s side as the cold air nips at my skin.

“When you said you wanted to dress up for the holiday, I figured it required somewhere nicer. But it’s still to your liking, babe.”

“I guess I’ll allow it.”

The team will be traveling over New Year’s Eve, so Tag and I decided to celebrate early. Which meant it was the perfect time to wear the new dress I got with the girls.

Something I didn’t let Tag see when he picked me up.

That will be for later.

“I wish we didn’t have an away game,” Tag tells me as he opens the door into the restaurant. People linger in the small lobby of the Italian bistro.

“If only I could go with you.”

“Why can’t you?”

The party in front of us heads to their table as we move forward. “Well, I…”

I try to think of a reason, but I can’t. In the past, I’ve always spent New Year’s Day planning the new year. There’s something about starting off the year on the right foot that makes me feel settled.

Not that I feel the need to divulge that little secret to Tag.

“Easton.” Tag gives the hostess his name.

“Right this way.”

A hand at the small of my back guides me through the restaurant. Gold sconces flicker as noise hums through the space. White fabric drapes from the walls as we’re led to a table with red leather seats.

“Thank you.” I smile at the hostess as I slip out of my peacoat.

“You’ve been hiding this all night?”

An appreciate gaze wanders down my body, heat trailing in its wake. The square, black neck is simple, the dress clinging to my curves and hitting just above my knees.

Simple, but classy.

Pressing up onto the toes of my heels, I drop a peck onto Tag’s cheek. “You like?”

“If I saw this before we left, I would not have taken you out tonight.”

“Well then.” I drop into the chair Tag pulls out. “I guess that means you’ll be coming home with me tonight.”

He drops his lips to my ear. “As if you could keep me away.”

Watching as he takes the seat opposite me, he is striking. Hair is windswept. The white button-up is rolled up to the elbows, and the veins of his forearms flex as he leans across the table.

Tag is so effortlessly sexy, it’s hard to take my eyes off him .

Our waitress comes over to take our drink order before leaving.

“Back to this whole coming with me on my trip…” Tag trails off, holding his hand out on the table. Grasping it and basking in the warmth, it’s hard to remember the reasons not to go with him.

“I could be convinced.”

“Really?” A smile slides across his face. “How can I convince you?”

“Well,” I drag a finger over the lines in his palm, “are you allowed to sneak out after the game?”

Tag beams at me. “I’m the coach. I think I can manage that.”

“Well then, maybe I might join you.”

I waggle my eyebrows at him before taking the menu and perusing it.

“Might? That’s it?”

I peer over at him. “There’s a high likelihood that it will be a yes.”

“Good. I don’t want to ring in the new year without you.”

I hide my smile in the menu. Ever since Christmas, things have been good with Tag. Great, even.

I’ve pushed all thoughts of other less happy things from my mind. Only focusing on Tag? It’s been easy.

So easy that I’ve been considering a change of plans. But that is a thought for another time.

“What sounds good?” I ask.

“You know, that pasta with the chili flakes sounds good.”

Heat blooms in my cheeks thinking about that night. That perfect night spent with Tag.

Okay, maybe I’ll need to reconsider my plans sooner.

“Mm, that does sound good.” I drag the tip of my heel up his leg. “You know, maybe if I join you, we could have a repeat of that night.”

“Fuck, baby. You cannot say things like that in public.”

Our drinks are dropped off and our dinner order is placed.

“A taste of your own medicine, isn’t it?” I sip on my wine as Tag’s eyes darken.

“I guess turnabout is fair play. But you know, we don’t have to have a special occasion to reenact that night.”

“We really don’t.”

Conversation switches back to the team and work as dinner comes and we eat our meals. It’s the perfect way to spend the evening.

I’m finding this is my favorite way to spend most evenings.

With Tag.

“Have I convinced you to come?” Tag asks after he pays the bill.

“I think you did.” Standing, I follow him through the restaurant towards the exit. “Excuse me.” I smile at the passing couple as we leave the restaurant. But as Tag holds open the door, my mouth drops. I’m stunned at the couple I see waiting.

“Mum. Dad. What are you doing here?”

Shock doesn’t begin to cover it. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen my parents. They’ve never bothered to come visit since I moved to the city. When I left for university, their butler is the one that dropped me off.

Moving into my own flat? I did it myself.

“Olivia. I didn’t even recognize you.” Her gaze drops to my dress. “Have you done something different with your hair?”

If only I’d put my coat on at the table.

“What are you doing here? ”

“Eating dinner.” Dad adjusts his round, rimless glasses. “Are you well, Olivia?”

“Yes. And you?”

“Adjusting nicely,” Mum answers.

Grey threads her hair. In my last year before leaving for London, she was still colouring it. Not anymore, I guess.

I haven’t seen them since before graduation. Dad had a work trip and they couldn’t make it. Aside from the one text, I don’t think I’ve spoken to them in months.

“Are these your parents?” Tag asks.

“Not now,” I hiss. This is not the time to introduce him to my parents.

“Adjusting to what?” I ask, trying to keep my voice calm.

“City life.”

“City life? Did you move?”

Dad nods. “I need to be in the city more for work, so we decided to rent a flat here.”

“Wow.”

They moved to the city and decided not to tell me? A lead weight settles low in my belly.

“Your table is ready,” the hostess interrupts.

“Were you going to tell me you live here now?” I ask. “Seems like something you should tell your daughter.”

“We’re renting, Olivia,” Mum says. “It’s not permanent.”

“Seems pretty permanent if you’re having to adjust to life in the city.”

“Olivia, we must go. We’d hate to keep the server waiting,” Dad says, impatience lacing his voice.

“Umm, okay. Why don’t we make plans for dinner?” I ask.

Mum pats my shoulder. “Stand up straight, dear. It is not doing you any favours. ”

With that parting note, they leave, stealing whatever happiness this evening left me with.

Emotion clogs my throat as I try to make sense of what just happened. A hand at my elbow steers me outside into the cold night.

“Liv?” Tag’s voice stirs my thoughts, and the noise of the busy street comes back into focus.

“Hmm?”

“Are you okay?”

“I can’t believe they live here and didn’t tell me.”

It’s the only thing I can tell him. I’ve been trying to call them for months and they couldn’t bother texting me? Tell their only child that they are now living in the same city as her?

“Hey.” Tag stops me before I can get far. “Talk to me.”

I grab my coat from him and slip into it, covering the dress I was excited about earlier. One look from my mother, one scathing comment, and I hate it.

“Can we go home? Not here.”

“Okay. I’ll get us a cab.”

I don’t know if I’ll be ready to talk to him about this. How do you tell the person you’re falling for that the people who are supposed to love you the most don’t care?

It’s the worst kind of heartbreak.

And my heart is shattered.