Olivia - Reflections of Love Book 3: Reflections of Love, #3

By Taya Rune

Can Olivia put her miserable childhood behind her and believe she is worthy of love?

 

Olivia is a young woman searching for an uncomplicated life. She likes to party and loves her freedom and won't be giving it up for any man…or so she shows the world.

 

There is only one problem – Olivia has spent so long trying to avoid the right guy, that if he came along she probably wouldn't know it.

 

Can she figure it out before he becomes another memory?

 

Reflections of Love - Real women. Real life. Real love.

*All novellas can be read in any order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Taya Rune
• Release date: Jul 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781922604040

Book preview

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Chapter 1

The crystal-cut champagne glass was raised high in a toast to her best friend, Peyton, and her new husband, Thad. Olivia caught a glimpse of her own long face with its round brown eyes and prominent cheekbones, all fractured against the planes as she brought the glass to her lips. She took a sip and tried not to screw up her face as she swallowed the dry brut. Ollie placed the glass back on the table, never understanding why anyone would drink the stuff willingly, and retrieved her own Coke Zero. Growing up with a volatile, alcoholic mother had given her the desire to rarely drink and champagne she thought was made to confirm her choices.

Ollie grinned as she watched Peyton and Thad kiss after the conclusion of his speech, which of course brought a cheer from the assembled wedding guests. They were her two dearest friends, and she couldn’t be happier for them.

Peyton and Ollie had met on the first day of high school and had bonded over their difficult mothers. Ollie’s mother had been too hungover to make the effort to accompany her daughter to her first day at a new school, so Ollie had had to face the challenge of walking into the school gates alone. While Peyton’s mother had cried hysterically at the gates, wringing her hands and telling Peyton that she didn’t know how she would get through the day without her precious daughter. Peyton had quietly but firmly told her mother she had managed to get through every day while she was at primary school, and high school would be no different. Kissing her mother on the cheek, she had quickly walked away and straight into Ollie, who had been trying to move around the two without looking like she could hear what was happening.

Oh, my goodness, I’m sorry, Peyton had exclaimed as she had taken a step back.

Ollie had laughed. All good. I’m Olivia. My first day today too.

Peyton. What home group you in?

That’s where the friendship had started and twelve years later they were still the best of friends.

Ollie watched as Peyton leaned in and whispered something into Thad’s ear, he kissed her softly on the cheek and winked at her before turning to thank the waitress for the dessert she placed in front of him. Every so often Ollie wondered what would have happened if she had not been with her ex-boyfriend when she had met Thad at University. Instead, she had stayed in a boring relationship with Tyler the Twerp while she introduced Thad to her best friend, Peyton. Though, if she was honest with herself, she knew her and Thad would never have worked as they were too similar and driven, but it was harmless to reflect about what could have been on those rare occasions when she fleetingly thought about being in a relationship. Most didn’t believe her, but she was content and happy being alone. Her life was full and she enjoyed doing what she wanted when she wanted. Being able to make all her life choices without considering another was appealing. Ollie doubted there was a man out there who would change her mind.

Peyton rose, adjusting her sweetheart neckline bridal gown as she did. She was striking. Her dress was stunning in a heavy, pure-white brocade with a panel of royal purple in the back. She was as tall as her husband, which was why she had chosen to forgo an upswept hairstyle and tiara and wore sneakers under her exquisite gown, that and she wanted to be comfortable—no one would know. Her overbearing mother thought she had pretty, sparkling ballet slippers on.

Ollie envied those sneakers at the moment. Her strappy silver stilettos looked gorgeous on her small feet, but after hours of standing for the ceremony, the photos, and already having spent a bit of time on the dance floor her feet were protesting.

Come with me,—Peyton held out her hand—there is someone I want you to meet.

Ollie held up her hands in protest. You know I am happy being single. You and Thad both promised no trying to set me up unless I got desperate and asked.

Taking one of Ollie’s protesting hands, Peyton pulled Ollie to her feet. Stop being silly. It’s not like that, I just want you to meet someone.

Ollie noted as she stood that even in her high heels she was still short compared to Peyton. While she muttered under her breath that she didn’t want to be set up, she quickly snuck a peek in the mirror on the far wall as they wound their way through the hundreds of wedding guests. Her normally long, frizzy, always unruly, chocolate-brown hair had been back-combed, curled and hair sprayed, so even if a hurricane hit it wouldn’t move. She surreptitiously adjusted the off the shoulder straps of her royal-purple, form-fitting slip dress.

Peyton smiled knowingly.

Not what you think, laughed Ollie. I’m more than happy to just find someone for tonight, a girl needs a little action every now and then.

They came to an abrupt halt at Thad’s main family table. Ollie waited patiently as Peyton was swamped with people welcoming her to the family and expressing their delight at how wonderful the service had been. Two of Thad’s sisters took the time to question her sanity for marrying their younger brother, but it was all done with warmth and humor. Ollie liked Thad’s sisters; there were three in total and they had always been kind and welcoming. She knew he had an older brother too, but he lived in America. Ollie smiled and greeted the sisters as they moved away from the table, allowing Peyton to get to whomever it was she wanted Olivia to meet. It was silly but being forced to stand there had made her nervous and butterflies now filled her stomach as she waited. She was going to strangle both Peyton and Thad if they thought this a great time to set her up with someone, though they had both made promises not to, she didn’t entirely trust them when it came to