Page 39 of The Hardest Hit

15

Olivia – Anniversary

“Liv,” said Evan from the couch in the nerd den. He was lying on his stomach picking a playlist for the stereo and Olivia was watching from the armchair and admiring his butt. It was Tuesday, so they were naked. In her head, Tuesday was now designated naked day. She hadn’t told him that yet, but so far he wasn’t arguing. She had never loved Tuesdays so much. Of course, they had been naked pretty much every day for the last three weeks, but there had been attempts to leave the condo on other days. He rubbed the stubble on his chin and she thought he looked uncomfortable.

“Yes?”

“It’s November,” he said.

“Yes, I had noticed. It comes right after October.”

“Mm, and more specific to what I’m about to say, it comes right before December.”

“I have noticed, in the past, that it does do that,” she agreed.

“Which is the holiday season, or at least holiday party season.”

Olivia froze. She could see where this was going. “Well, I hope you enjoy karaoke,” she said. “Because I’m pretty sure my boss plans on making all of us sing at the party. Even weird nose hair Jim from accounting.”

“I will come and enjoy karaoke,” he said. “But um… OK, remember last week when I wanted to go to that restaurant and you freaked out and made me stop at the store because you didn’t think your pants were good enough?”

“They had bleach stains on them,” said Olivia.

“OK, well, all of the parties I’m currently RSVP’d yes to are going to have people that think that restaurant is casual dining.”

“Oh, God,” said Olivia, blanching. “I don’t have the wardrobe for parties like that.”

“Yes, I know,” he said.

“I only packed one dress when I moved!”

“You packed a dress?” He looked surprised.

“It’s a summer dress.”

“Oh. Anyway, my thought is that I would like to take you shopping.”

She stared at him.

“To buy you dresses for parties that you would not attend unless I made you go. So really those are clothes you shouldn’t have to pay for.”

She stared at him some more. She had no experience with this. Her family had money, but Evan’s type of money was outside of her experience. She had the feeling it was some sort of taboo that her mother would disapprove of. On the other hand, her mother was dead and had abdicated any sort of right to make beyond-the-grave judgments.

“I don’t know what your expression means,” he said.

“I don’t know either. I’ve never had a man offer to buy me clothes before. I’m processing.”

“Processing what a good idea it is?” he asked hopefully.

“You really want to take me to fancy parties?”

“Um, yes,” he said.

“I can’t decide if that’s weirder than the clothes part or not.”

“What is wrong with you?” he demanded. “You’re hot. You’re brilliant. Aside from your shocking lack of clothes, why wouldn’t I take you anywhere?”

“I have clothes.”