Chapter 8

Olivia sat on the couch holding Amelia, while her mother talked.

"So, how's Noah's teaching going? We hardly see that boy anymore." Evelyn sipped her tea and waited for her daughter to respond.

"He's busy. All the time." Olivia sighed and played with Amelia's tiny fingers.

"I sense something is wrong." Evelyn touched her daughter's chin and smiled at her.

"He's just-" Olivia groaned and looked over at her mother. "His job keeps him busy to the point where he can't help me much and I appreciate what he does do, and I know that he's bringing money in. I know that he tries to be there for Amelia, but I just don't feel the spark that was there years ago."

"You know dear. Relationships take work. When they first start... they seem so simple. So easy, but then when you move in together and have a baby, pay bills... you can't just hold on to love. You also have to build a foundation of friendship. To be best friends, partners in crime." She winked over at Ashton with a smile, and he smirked.

"That's right. You have a baby now. Talk to him. Take time from working on your dresses and clothing to do that. Make time for one another. We'll watch little Amelia overnight if you would like." Ashton smiled and gave his daughter the option.

"Alright. I'll try. If he isn't too busy." Olivia sighed and leaned back into the couch.

Evelyn pulled her closer to her side and kissed her on the temple. "Sweety, Noah has been busy his whole life. He might not know how not to be. You have to understand where he comes from, honey."

Olivia nodded and sighed as she ran her fingers through Amelia's hair. "You're right, maman."

"Mamans are always right." Evelyn winked at her and giggled with Olivia.

"HEY! What about Papas?" Ashton joked and joined in on their laughing.

"They know more in some cases. Who else is gonna keep suiters on their toes?" Evelyn winked at her husband and patted his arm.

Ashton put his hands on his hips and smiled as he put his foot up onto the coffee table. Olivia and Evelyn laughed and let out a long sigh.

"I should get going. Noah is probably wond-" Olivia was interrupted by her phone going off. "-wondering where I am." She looked at her phone and saw a text from Noah.

[Noah]

Hey, I made dinner.

See you soon?

How's my baby girl?

Olivia blushed at the text, remembering what she loved about him, and sent one back with one hand.

[Olivia]

Hey, baby. Thank you.

I'll be there in a minute.

I was just about to leave.

She's good.

Olivia put her phone back into her bag and stood up from the couch. She put Amelia in her car seat and kissed her parents goodbye, making her way out of the bakery and into her car.

***

Noah sat at his desk and looked over at his phone as it went off. He ran his fingers through his hair and smiled at the text from Lea.

[Lea]

Hey. How's grading going?

I still have like a million more essays on Shakespeare to go.

I'm so done.

haha

Noah laughed and leaned back in his office chair to respond to her.

[Noah]

Sounds so exciting.

I'm procrastinating.

I keep thinking about what Olivia is doing all day.

I haven't talked to her much.

Although, she's on her way home now.

Noah sighed and set his phone down to focus back on his grading. He had a massive stack of homework to grade. It was fun teaching about it and handing out the assignments, but grading was grueling. He tapped his red pen on his desk when his phone went off again.

[Lea]

Wanna go out for some coffee?

We could grade together in a nice cafe and chat.

Noah looked over at the clock on the wall and worried his bottom lip. He could probably escape after Olivia got in.

[Noah]

I'll see what I can do.

Let me...

I'll meet you tonight in an hour or two.

The one next to the college?

Terrace?

His phone rang immediately with an answer.

[Lea]

Perfect.

Noah smirked and texted her back as fast as he could with excitement running through his veins.

[Noah]

I'll text when I'm headed out.

So, how are you tonight?

***

It didn't take Olivia long to get to their apartment and park in her usual parking spot. She took Amelia out and carried her up to their apartment.

Olivia put their sleeping daughter in her crib and carried the baby monitor into the kitchen, where her plate sat on the table. Noah was nowhere to be found and a part of her felt lonely.

"If Adam were here... he'd eat with me." Olivia sighed and sat down, picking up her fork and playing with her pasta. The sound of a keyboard rang out from the hallway and Olivia scoffed in anger.

She took out her phone and began to send a text to Adam.

[Olivia]

Guess who's eating alone...

this girl.

I really wish he would just take a break and eat with me.

Olivia worried her bottom lip and sent the text without thinking much about it. She was tired and getting to the point where she didn't see a point in trying.

[Adam]

Damn.

Well, at least he made you dinner... that says something.

Did you talk to him?

Olivia sighed and rested her cheek on her palm. "Only if he actually cared."

"If who actually cared?" Noah drank the last swallow of his coffee and walked into the kitchen to fill his cup.

"A client. He... didn't like a design I drew up, so I have to do it again." Olivia hid her lie behind a smile.

"Ah. Is it good?" Noah perked up a little as he looked at her plate. He filled his cup and began to stir it with his finger before placing it between his lips.

"Delicious, thank you." Olivia smiled at him and continued to eat as her heart ached.

"You're welcome. I'm going back to grading those papers and then I'm gonna go out for a walk." Noah lied through his teeth as he smiled for her.

"Okay, good luck." Olivia took a bite of her food and watched him leave.

Once he was out of the room, she sighed and tapped on her phone.

Well, he came back in here,

but then he went off to make lesson plans.

Sigh.

Her phone went off and she looked down at her phone for a moment to read it.

[Adam]

Maybe, it's time...

Olivia panicked and quickly texted back in her frustration.

[Olivia]

It's fine.

Everything will get better.

He's just stressed.

And I know that he's so used to constantly moving

and being scheduled to do something.

It's not his fault, really.

[Adam]

Sounds like you're just making an excuse for him.

Anyway, are you excited for the holiday party in Milan?

Olivia suddenly leapt up and ran over to her calendar. She had completely forgotten about the work party that was taking place in Milan. With the new baby and deadlines, she hadn't even had time to think about it. She hit her forehead and texted him back.

[Olivia]

I totally forgot that was happening.

I'll have to tell Noah.

Someone has to watch Amelia.

I just don't know who.

[Adam]

You'll figure it out, Olivia.

You always do.

Olivia put her phone on the table.

***

Noah drank a sip of his coffee and picked up his phone to text Lea.

[Noah]

I'll be walking out the door soon and heading to the cafe.

Olivia is home and Amelia is asleep.

The text that he received made his eyes widen with shock at how blunt it was.

[Lea]

Are you happy, Noah?

He froze up and zoned out on the text message. He had never thought about that. Noah was always focused on others and not himself. Focused on what made others happy.