Olivia

By Anita Claire

Sometimes you can't stop your heart from it's desire
Olivia has cultivated an entourage of men in love with her, but she's not in love with any of them. When she meets her best friends brother, she promises her she wont add him to her entourage. But what if he's the only man she wants? Can you fight against your hearts desire? Sometimes when your heart calls you, promises must be broken.

Of course, Olivia has her band of college friends dubbed The Princesses from their freshman year Halloween costumes.

This is a stand-alone book, but much more fun if read along with the other Princess stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anita Claire
• Release date: Mar 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463670927

Anita Claire

Anita Claire is an author of contemporary romance novels. Her books explore women who hold non-traditional jobs and the situations they encounter. She writes about smart, hard-working women and the men they fall in love with.

Book preview

Chapter 1 – Meeting Conner

Why am I going with you again? I question Meredith, my best friend and study partner, as we drive from our dorm down to Monterey

Meredith stares straight ahead intently focused on the road. Her jaw is set and her knuckles are white on the steering wheel.

He’s my brother, we haven’t lived this close to each other since he left for the service when I was fourteen.

I understand why you’re going to see your brother. I’m wondering why you’re dragging my ass down with you.

Olivia, I don’t think I can do this alone. I need some backup support.

For your brother? He’s not violent or anything?

No, he’s not violent. It’s just … we had a difficult childhood. Sometimes that brings you closer, other times that breaks people apart.

And you didn’t ask Sam to join you, because?

Sam is protective. If some of our childhood shit comes up, Sam will get too involved. I need someone supportive who won’t add to the drama.

And Sam is cool with this?

He lent me his car.

Did he lend you his car knowing you’re coming down here to see your brother?

Yes, of course.

And?

And what?

And he didn’t want to take you? He’s cool with me going with you? That doesn’t sound like Sam.

Meredith’s been going out with Sam since the beginning of our freshman year. Sam’s cool, the three of us are good friends. He’s protective of Meredith, without being creepy or controlling.

He’s cool with it. I told him we’ll get together with Connor in the future. For the first meeting, I need you with me. I need to keep the testosterone levels low.

The sand dunes fly by as I look out the window. I hope this doesn’t get too awkward. Meredith and I have been studying together for the last four years. When I started college, I figured my best hope for getting top grades was to find a smart study partner. In my first class, I took one look at Meredith and I knew she had to be here on a full scholarship, which meant she had to be naturally gifted. I was right. Meredith’s brilliant. I know people throw that term around, but after studying together, I find her ability to comprehend, synthesize, and extrapolate ideas to be astounding. When we first started out, it was me teaching her, since I came from a rigorous prep school, and most of the material was a review. It didn’t take long for her to catch up and surpass everyone in our class.

We arrive at Togo’s, a sandwich shop, located walking distance from the Defense Language Institute. Meredith’s brother is currently attending a program here. From what I understand all the military services send their sharp people here for language training. They say that a day at the language institute is equivalent to a week of a college-level language course. A military student can leave in eighteen months with an accredited four-year degree in languages. Meredith said her brother enlisted right after high school. I bet smarts runs in her family, and the military has figured out her brother’s brain can be used more advantageously than his brawn.

Meredith is rather closed lipped about her childhood. As best as I can gather she grew up in rural Indiana, she’s the first person in her family to go to college, her mom died suddenly when she was ten, her dad quickly remarried, and she and her brother never got along with her stepmother. About the only thing similar to our upbringing is having an older brother. I in turn, grew up on the upper east side of Manhattan; my parents met in medical school, I attended private schools, and summered in The Hamptons.

We enter Togo’s, Meredith nervously looks around. We’re here to meet your brother, it’s not like it’s a blind date, I joke as we move towards the counter to order our sandwiches.

She responds with a shaky smile and nods. We watch the guys make our sandwiches in silence. With our sandwiches in hand, we find a booth. About five minutes later a big soldier enters. He looks like a recruit for an army commercial or a military avatar in Call of Duty. He’s wearing fatigues and an Army T-shirt. His blond hair is very short, his jaw is square, and his shirt doesn’t cover but extenuates his muscles. He exudes masculine power. Meredith’s eyes are locked on him.

Is that him?

I think so.

Then call out his name. She doesn’t move. Conner? I call out.

He turns, at first he’s confused, and then he sees Meredith and smiles.

Meredith get up, I urge.

She scoots herself out of the booth and joins her brother. They look at each other tentatively, they each say something, and then she flies into his arms. Their hug is big and warm. Now I’m wondering if I should take a walk down to the water and give them some time to reconnect. Meredith joins Conner at the counter and waits while his sandwich is made. From where I sit she’s smiling and chatting, so I figure the reunion is going well.

They come back to the table where I give her a questioning look.

I’d be happy to take a walk. Why don’t you guys have some time to catch up?

Conner looks me up and down, he frowns.

Stay, Meredith urges as she scoots in next to me. Conner, this is my good friend Olivia Harary.

Conner has the same navy blue eyes and Nordic bone structure as Meredith.

Harary? Jewish or Coptic? he questions.

Now that blows my mind. It’s usually only Arab’s who identify my name’s Middle Eastern and even they don’t get down to the level of clan.

My mom’s maiden name is Bijou.

So you’re Sephardic. He turns his gaze to Meredith. Jewish, he explains.

"It’s much more complicated than that. My mom’s half Egyptian and half Syrian. The Egyptian side is Sephardic, while my Syrian family is Mizrahi and my dad’s a Palestinian Coptic Christian.

Whoa, now that union sure gave the families a jolt.

That was rather impressive for a Midwestern farm boy.

I haven't lived in the midwest since I was eighteen.

Sephardic are Spanish Jews who immigrated to the Middle East in the fifteenth century, during the Spanish Inquisition, while Mizrahi is a Jew who’s always been in the Middle East, I explain to Meredith. It’s not like you’d run into too many people like me in Iraq or Afghanistan, I question Conner.

US military is involved in the Middle East, lots of clans, lots of issues. You need to know the game board or you’ll end up being played.

He’s as smart as his sister. Damn, brawn and brains. Now, this is an interesting combination.

Chapter 2 – Running into Max

With an hour to kill before our late afternoon class, Meredith and I decide to get a coffee. As we walk to the student union, we run into Max. He’s a grad student who has a habit of running into me way too often for it ever to be a coincidence. Meredith calls him my number one fan. It’s obvious that he has a crush. I find him engaging enough to keep around, but besides that, I’m not interested.

Hey ladies, what are you up to? Max greets us.

We’re going to get some coffee, Meredith explains.

Well then, let coffee be my treat.

Meredith gives me a sidewise glance as I shrug and slip her a wink. Sure. Hell, if some guy wants to spend money on me, who am I to say no.

The three of us enter the Café for a coffee and to hang out until our next class. Max is always good for a friendly chat and an interesting story.

Are you ever going to do anything about him? Meredith asks as we walk to class.

And what do you think I should do?

Obviously, he has a thing for you. Are you going to make him…happy?

I’m not responsible for his happiness and I’m not responsible for dating him. If he wants to hang with us, that’s cool. He’ll hang around until he gets frustrated or bored. Again, his problem, not mine.

I have no idea why my friends find the need to be so binary with men. If I’m interested in sleeping with a guy, I will, if I’m not, it’s cool with me if they’re around. Some are actually rather enjoyable to talk to.

After class, we enjoy the nice weather by sitting on the wall. We discuss our homework as a prelude to moving inside to study.

Meredith’s phone beeps.

Are we meeting Sam somewhere? I ask.

He’s on his way home and will get dinner going.

How domestic, I take it you’re not even pretending to live on campus anymore?

Hita gets a single for the price of a double. I don’t see anyone complaining.

What about Sam’s apartment mate?

Kevin knew what he was getting into before he moved in. Do you want to go to the library to get some studying in before dinner?

We walk to Green, our favorite library. As we reach our special section in the stacks, I spot a tiny woman waving.

It looks like Isabelle’s here, I comment.

I have an hour before I meet up with Juliette, Isabelle stage whispers when we join her.

Are you two eating an early dinner? I ask.

No, Chris has a water polo practice, Isabelle answers.

We wouldn’t want to miss one of Chris’s water polo practices, I say.

Speedos are the best team uniform ever, Isabelle responds.

Chris likes that Juliette brings a cheering squad, Meredith interjects.

Not if he knew what we were cheering about, Isabelle concedes.

Are the other princesses joining you? Meredith asks. Referring to our group of girlfriends by the name we dubbed ourselves after going as princesses to the Halloween parties our freshman year. I was Jasmin, the princess from the Arabic folk tale about Aladdin, while Meredith, with her blond hair, blue eyes, and evil stepmother was, of course, Cinderella, and Isabelle naturally was Belle.

They have phones; they know how to find us. Are you in? Isabelle queries.

I have so much work to do, but…I could use a little eye candy as my study break, I say.

We better focus on studying now if I’m going to get home for dinner and you two are going to be busy checking out beautiful men wearing Speedo’s, Meredith instructs.

Sunday’s a home game, twice the men, twice the eye candy, Isabelle exclaims with glee.

I’m not missing that, Meredith responds.

Does Sam know you’re going? Isabelle questions.

I’m just looking, Meredith answers.

Chapter 3 – Talking to Ethan

How did it go yesterday with Sam and your brother? I ask Meredith the following week.

Conner did this whole who’s the guy with my sister thing while Sam did the whole who’s the brother that took off leaving Meredith on her own thing; Which of course made it all stressful for me. I was right to have you with me for the first meeting. It would have been really awkward getting together with Conner after not seeing him for six years, while those two were giving each other the overly protective eye.

At least, both of their hearts are in the right place.

Maybe, I still feel conflicted.

How so?

"After my dad married her, Conner moved to my grandparents. He left me, alone in that house with her. I was still a little girl."

Where was your father?

He was there…sort of.

I don’t get it. Why did Conner move to your grandparents?

Conner didn’t get along with my evil step-monster.

Did you want to live with your Grandparents?

Why would you ask that?

Meredith, I’m trying to figure it out. Your mom dies, your dad remarries, you and your brother don’t get along with the new wife, they move your brother out but you stay. Why are you angry with your brother? It sounds like your dad is the guy who made all the decisions.

No, Laurie is the one who made all the decisions. She did everything for her kids and nothing for either of us.

Then why are you angry with Conner? He too was a kid.

Conner said he’d protect me and he didn’t.

How do you think another kid could protect you?

After my mom died, he said we’d always have each other.

But then he left, I fill in.

Precisely.

Her logic is dumbfounding. I’ve taken a few psychology courses. Now I can see how childhood reasoning can trip up adults. We sit quietly as I wonder what to do.

***

I’m visiting my brother again on Sunday. Can you join me? Meredith pleads.

Can’t you see him on your own?

It’s an hour and a half each way, she whines. We can study in the car.

I shrug, not willing to commit but not interested in saying no either. As we approach our next class, we’re joined by Ethan, another of what the Princesses call my entourage. He’s a fellow pre-med student, average build, average height, average looks, and average personality. I’m sure he’ll make some average woman a great boyfriend.

Do you have plans for the weekend? Ethan hopefully asks.

Maybe Ethan can drive down to Monterey? I comment.

You’re going to Monterey? Sure, I ‘ll drive you.

Olivia’s not going. It will be you and me. I’ll leave my jealous boyfriend at home as we visit my suddenly overly protective, soldier, brother.

I’ll pass. That doesn’t sound fun, Ethan responds.

Chapter 4 – Lunch with Conner

I’m meeting my brother on Sunday for brunch, Meredith says.

I think you already told me about this. I’m glad you’re taking this opportunity to reconnect, I respond.

Will you join me? Meredith pleads as she gives me one of her sweet hopeful faces.

You realize that look only works on Sam.

Please, I don’t want to drive three hours by myself.

There’s a water polo game on Sunday.

You’re going to choose to sit in those terrible seats by a pool instead of riding in the luxury of Sam’s car?

You think I’d choose driving over watching water polo players?

You never even date those guys. You always choose the angsty artist types.

I don’t make fun of your choice.

What’s wrong with Sam?

Why isn’t he joining you?

I need a friend, one that doesn’t raise the testosterone level.

Fine, I’ll go.

Why the change of heart?

As you said, we can study on the way down.

There’s something going on. I figure with three hours in the car, we can actually talk it out. Before we go I should stop by my psychology professor’s office. A little amateur analysis might be what’s called for.

***

Meredith picks me up in Sam’s Toyota. She’s playing her favorite iPhone mix. Music or studying? I ask as I settle my books between my feet and place my coffee in the cup holder.

Let’s get on 280 before we start school work.

Togo’s again? I question as we reach Monterey.

I know where it is, it fits my budget, and it’s a nice day. I thought we could get a sandwich and walk down to the ocean for a picnic. We walk into Togo’s and look around, Conner’s not yet here. Let’s get our sandwich while we wait.

I thought army guys were punctual, I comment as we wait on the bench.

They probably are punctual to army things. But sisters probably don’t rate.

My eye catches a big guy in army fatigue jogging down the road. I point, he waves.

Let me get my sandwich, I’ll join you in a couple of minutes, he calls out as he jogs into the store.

Hey GI Joe, do you think we can eat by the water?, I ask when he joins us with his drink and sandwich.

Let’s go, Conner responds. The three of us walk down the block.

Conner, what are you studying? I ask on our way to the ocean.

Arabic.

Are you fluent? I ask him in Arabic. "Have you learned the good words yet?"

You speak Arabic? he answers in Arabic, with a strong American accent. Where’d you learn?

I was raised by my Syrian grandmother, I answer in English. She grew up in Damascus, my family’s always been there.

You speak Arabic with a Syrian accent?

When I’m with my Syrian family, I do. When I’m in Israel with my Palestinian family, I speak with that accent. When I’m in Israel with my Jewish family, I speak Hebrew, but it’s not that fluent. The Israelis usually switch to English as soon as they hear me butcher their language."

Trilingual, he nods with approval.

Her French is also pretty good, Meredith interjects. We practice together.

It’s only schoolgirl French. Now that I’m living in California I wish I’d learned Spanish.

They want us talking and ordering in the language we’re learning. I should call you up, so I can practice my Arabic over the phone, Conner confides in Arabic.

Your vocabulary is pretty good, but your pronunciation is all over the place, I respond in