The Proverbial Mr. Universe (32 page)

“Maybe you need to find your tribe,” Nick had said as he folded his laundry, placing it in a neat pile that he started as Olivia sat on the table beside him.

“What?”

“You know, surround yourself with people who have the same interests as you.”

“Well, I have you.”

“No, I’m your main man,” he said with pride and enthusiasm. “I don’t count. You should have someone other than your family and me … other people you can go to when you feel the need to complain about me.” He smiled.

She snorted. “I have nothing to complain about.”

“Not now, but you will. Trust me.” He smiled. “We don’t live together yet—”

She tilted her head to the side. “Is this your way of getting rid of me?”

“Is that what you think?” He stopped folding his clothes and placed his hands on his hips. “Whatever this is inside me, this need for you … you’re like the air that I can’t seem to consume enough. If I were selfish, then I would want you all to myself, steal every minute from you. But we both know, we would get nothing done, and I know you have other dreams that don’t always include me. What kind of a boyfriend would I be if I don’t push you toward them?” He paused. “Getting out there, meeting people, this is how you grow, Olivia.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, it’s not like it’s easy for me to come out of my shell.”

She’d lost many friends along the way. Some just faded into the background or some she pushed away because Dario didn’t want her to hang around them. Jessica was the only one who stuck around.

He went back to his pile of clothes and continued to fold.

“Ok, where do you suggest I go about finding this tribe?”

“How about joining some club?”

She wrinkled her nose.

“Like a book club or take a cooking class.” He smiled.

She shook her head at him. “Cooking class? Oh that would benefit you.”

He smiled, knowing that she was a horrible cook.

“That’s what you call a win-win situation.”

She laughed.

“I know you’re afraid of what people might think of you, and that makes it harder for you to get out there … out of your comfort zone, but other people have insecurities too.” He looked her over. “What did that asshole do to you?” When she said nothing, he continued. “Alright, I want you to tell me three good things about yourself.”

“I don’t know.” She looked around, searching for an answer. “It’s hard to talk about me.”

“Hmmm … alright, Monti, I’ll tell you.” He launched the last piece of clothing onto the pile and walked over to stand in front of her.

“For one, you’re intelligent … too smart in fact.” He placed her hair behind her, looking at her intently. “It makes me wonder what you’re doing with a guy like myself.”

Olivia reached out and playfully pulled him closer by his belt loops.

“You’re a goddess.”

She laughed shyly, looking away so he wouldn’t see her blush. “Goddess? Now that’s a first …”

“Yeah, I’m serious. You’re beautiful in so many ways, with this huge heart that I love so deeply. It’s a shame that you don’t see yourself through my eyes. You don’t give yourself enough credit that you deserve.”

She played with the buttons of his shirt, feeling a big lump in her throat, promising herself not to cry.

“Believe me, when I say, Olivia Montiano, what I have here in front of me is the most amazing human being that I have ever had the privilege of knowing, and who’s worthy of all sorts of love.”

In a very short time, she had to build herself up, and Nick had shined the light on her showing the way and making her realize what she wanted out of life. They existed in this calm space; he loved her into a better version of herself.

Wasn’t this what love was meant to feel like? Love was supposed to build you up, not tear you apart. Dario had acted out of fear, and she almost allowed it to destroy her.

She could see there was some internal struggle within Dario as he sat next to her. It was evident that she made him feel uncomfortable and for some odd reason that amused her. Maybe it was hard for him to see her happy, or maybe it was hard for him to see she had outgrown him and moved on.

“You’re someone else. Everything is so different about you.”

“People do change, Dario.”

“Yeah, it seems like it.” He put the car in park.

“Wait right here. I’m going to see if your father is inside.”

She watched him disappear through the front door, hoping her father was there.

“Y
our father isn’t here. He’s with Paul back at the office,” Dario said through the opened door of his sports car.

“How do you know?”

“I just spoke to him.”

Olivia was so relieved her father was safe and alright.

“Did Paul say anything else?”

“No. They were in the middle of a meeting. He just forgot, I guess.”

“Well, I’m glad he’s with my brother. I think we should head back.”

“Since we’re here, do you want to come up and see my new place?”

She almost forgot that Dario had purchased one of the 185 units that her father’s company was developing.

“Another time? I should get back to work.”

“It will only be a minute. I could use a designer’s expertise on which colors to paint. You did an excellent job at our place.” His eyes softened. When she hesitated, he said, “I promise to get you back in time for work. Scout’s honor.”

“Alright.” Why that came out of her mouth, she didn’t know. There was a part of her that wanted to repay him for helping her out. One way or another, she knew that there was a possibility that this might be more of a mistake than it already was.

They went up into an elevator and the doors opened on the twentieth floor. Men were working in the next room, so she felt at ease knowing they weren’t alone.

“It’s supposed to be ready for September, but you know how things go. Welcome to mi casa.” He opened the door, allowing her to go in first.

“Of course, the penthouse.” She shook her head.

“You know me. Go big or go home.”

There wasn’t much to see, except the walls were up and the hardwood floors had already been laid down. The cabinets were installed in the kitchen, but the countertop and sink were missing.

“So, what do you think?”

“It’s a big apartment. I love the natural light.” Olivia marveled at the large windows that ran along the length of the main room.

“Yeah, about 2002 square feet. It even has a patio.” He opened the door and she stepped out. There was a nice, warm breeze. To the left, the view of skyscrapers, and she could see the canal not far from where they were. Right below, on a tin roof, were big, white, bold letters: LOVE ME. Dario caught her eyes and she went back inside. He followed behind.

“Do you have samples or paint chips?”

“I have samples of my kitchen counter.” He pulled out a small box from one of the cabinets and placed it on a work table next to the window. “These are the colors I was looking at.” He placed several paint chips on the table.

“I would go with owl gray in the living area and silver fox in the kitchen. Seeing as they flow one room to another.” She handed the sample back to him.

He smiled at her, but she didn’t smile back. “Thank you. You made it easy for me. The painters will be in here next week, and I ... seem a little lost without you.”

He leaned in and kissed her. She puts her hands up and gently pushed him back. For a moment, he looked into her eyes.

“Please don’t.” She realized perhaps it was a really bad idea to have come. Maybe he hadn’t changed after all. He was still plotting like Dario always did, to get her exactly where he wanted, but this time around she knew better than to fall for his tricks.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“This was a mistake coming here. I should go.” She took her purse from the table.

“I love you.” He held her arm, stopping her from going.

She glanced up at him. “I don’t know what you want me to say?”

“You can say that you love me too?”

“But then that would be a lie.”

He looked down. “I know I fucked up and I will never get you back.”

She wasn’t sure exactly what he felt remorse for, and at this point she really didn’t care.

“Look, Olivia …”

Olivia extended her hand to stop him from continuing. “Dario, I moved on.” She paused, “You still work for my father and I’m seeing someone. What just happened can never happen again. Do you understand?”

He nodded.

“You hate me.”

She remained silent. Dario was right. She wasn’t the same girl he dated. No, this girl could see past the blinders. Dario hadn’t changed after all. He was looking for pity, bringing the spotlight once again on himself. If Olivia hated him, then she had to justify she still felt something for him … even if it was only hate.

“The thing is, Dario, you wanted me the way you wanted me. What I needed never matter to you.”

He looked back at her like the light just hit him. “It’s him isn’t it? That’s what changed. Is he making you happy? That’s why you’re so different.”

He had it wrong and for once she had it right. Olivia had placed herself first, and that was what changed. That was what was different about her.

“You’re in love with him and not with me.”

“Dario, trust me when I say, I sincerely hope you will find someone that will make you happy.”

There was no bad karma wished upon him; she just didn’t care one way or the other.

“How about if I don’t want someone else?”

“You’re not in love with me. I don’t think you ever were. You always want what you can’t have, but you should try wanting what you already have.”

“Yeah, maybe …”

“Look, Dario, it took us five years to realize that we don’t make sense together.”

“I guess there is nothing I can say or do to convince you that I’m not a monster.”

“You’re not a monster, Dario, but I do think that you’ve been hurting. I’m glad you’ve realized you need help.”

“Where do we go from here?”

“For starters, we need to sell that apartment, so sign those papers the next offer we get. You owe it to both of us to move on. It’s time to let go.”

He looked at her. “Alright, alright, I will.”

“Promise me something else.”

“What?”

“That you’ll treat the next girl better than you did with me.”