You Can't Buy My Love novel Chapter 16

Nolan

I lied down in bed, trying to ignore the fact that Olivia was just an inch away from me. Even though her back was turned, I could still smell her. I wanted to touch her; hold her even. But maybe she was right. We couldn't get in too deep. We still have about two months left of this, and I know me. I was bound to hurt her.

I silently cursed myself, then sat up slowly as not to wake her. I couldn't sleep at all, so I went out into the living area to maybe watch TV for a while. To my surprise, Jared and nova were both still up watching 'Prison Break'. I see he's determined to finish that show before we get back.

I shook my head in amusement, making myself comfortable on the couch. "What's the matter?" Nova asked me, looking over in my direction. "I heard you got bit by the love bug," she grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.

"I didn't get bit by anything," I grumbled.

"Oh yeah!" She laughed, throwing a pillow at me. "Never seen you in such a bad mood before." I tossed the pillow on the floor, then rolled my eyes at the pair of them.

"I don't know why I came out here." I mumbled under my breath, slipping out onto the dock. They were getting on my nerves; I wasn't in the mood to play around. I screwed up big time. The first time I actually meet a girl who's not completely despicable, and I can't even do anything with her because I'm paying her deceive everyone.

How do I even undo this? I can't.

"Woah man." Jared said, coming outside, Nova trailing not too far behind him. "You okay?" He asked, and I rolled my eyes.

"Not you two again." I groaned, going to sit by the pool.

"Never seen you so upset before, I thought your string of lies was working out for you." Jared said, amusement dancing on his face.

"My string of lies is working just fine," I told him sternly, shaking my head. "That's the problem."

"You really like her, don't you?" Nova asked, sitting down on the ground next to me.

"No!" I yelled, then stopped when I realized I was getting too emotional about it. "I don't like her... okay..." I trailed off, ignoring the look they both exchanged with each other. "I've just been thinking about my Mom that's all. She woulda been so... disappointed in me."

"Been trying to tell you that all along," Jared sighed, shaking his head.

"Listen," Nova started. "Let's just say for a second that you do like her. Why not take her out on a real date?" She asked, maybe trying to cheer me up. "Girls still like dates you know." She smiled, shaking her head.

"Plus, you kinda owe her," Jared chimed in. "For being such a dick on her birthday."

"And don't even think about seducing her!" Nova imputed, pointing at me sternly. "If a woman likes you with her heart, her body is going to follow. When she's ready!"

"Yeah, well..." I trailed off, placing my hand behind my neck guiltily. "Might be a little late for that." I cringed, watching as they both shook their head disapprovingly.

"I can't believe you." Nova said.

"I can!" Jared scoffed. "And what did she say anyways?"

"She said no." I said simply with a shrug.

"No?" Jared asked. "That's it?"

"Look, she said she doesn't have experience and she wants to keep things professional." I said quickly, wishing they would get off my back about it.

"So she's a virgin..." Nova trailed off knowingly, like it was the simplest equation ever.

"What? No! Why is that your assumption?" I asked, annoyed that she even suggested it.

"Okay," she said in a tone that was disbelieving, holding her hands up.

"It doesn't matter," Jared sighed. "Just take her out on a real date. Shouldn't be too hard for you since you technically have never been on one yourself. Maybe you'll both like it." He encouraged, and I gathered ideas up in my head.

I did want to make things up to her. Maybe this would be how I can.

~*~

After spending all night searching for the perfect date to take Olivia on, I proudly settled on something that I hoped she would enjoy. Verona was our last stop before heading back towards home, so I bought two tickets to 'Romeo & Juliet' the play.

I don't know what woman wouldn't want to see this play in the heart of where it stemmed from. Once I got back on my outing with my father and brother, I spotted her by her favorite place; the pool.

I crept up behind her, watching as she sunbathed on the pool lounger. "Guess who." I smiled through my shades, bending down beside her and she smiled before she even opened up her eyes.

"Fred?" She asked sarcastically, and I saw the hint of a smile on her face.

"You guessed it." I grinned, playing along with her games. "I got you something." I said, putting the tickets in her face. She opened her eyes slowly, at first confused, then took them from my hands to read them.

"You got us tickets to see 'Romeo & Juliet'?" She exclaimed, staring at me through bright blue eyes. "Wait... is everyone going?" She asked suddenly, and I shook my head.

"Nope. Just you and me." I answered, watching as the realization filled her face.

"You... and me?" She asked, seemingly unconvinced, and I nodded. "As in..." she trailed off, eyeing me with close scrutiny.

"A date- a real one. But that's only if you want to." I sighed, making it seem like I didn't care as much as I did.

She didn't even respond, she just stood to her feet and started to scream. "I'm going to see Romeo and Juliet!" She yelled out to the ocean. "In Verona!" She jolted with excitement, then threw her arms around me before darting down the hall.

I blinked in response. I had hoped she would be excited but I didn't realize she would be this excited. I had fun gauging her reaction, and I idly wondered if I should let her get dressed in peace or go and tease her as she did.

"I see you're taking your wife out," my Dad pointed out, pulling me out of my head.

"Oh," I started, standing to my feet. "Yeah, since our last night in Italy and everything." I rambled on, trying to hide the heat that crept on my face.