by Blythe Stone
Upon finding her Nat looked to Iris and rolled her eyes. She slipped behind Olivia and purposely gripped her shoulders and whispered right into her ear. “Excuse me ma’am-”
“Nat! Jesus,” Olivia jumped and then relaxed with a hand over her hard thumping heart. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Nat laughed. “Come on. Aren’t you hungry?” Nat grabbed the book from Olivia’s hand and began to walk it over to the register to go.
“Wha-ah- hi,” Olivia smiled and blushed a little. She’d been greeting Iris as Nat tugged on her hand to get her to move from the store where she could very easily live.
“Hey, how are you?” Iris asked with a smile.
“Um? Alright,” Olivia flirted. She hopped after Nat as Nat pulled her. “How are you?” They got to the register and Nat started to buy Olivia her random book. Olivia turned to Iris and ran her fingers down her arm. A light display of concern, nothing more.
“I’m better, thanks. I’m sorry about last night. This whole thing blindsided me and I didn’t exactly know how to deal with it,” Iris apologized.
“Stop apologizing,” Olivia connected with her.
“Sorry, uh, I mean, okay,” Iris said. She laughed and let out a long sigh.
“Um. I kinda forgot to tell you something,” Olivia confessed nervously.
“Oh?” Iris asked.
“Yeah, um. Ellie, uh. She said she has your grandfather's guitar. And she wants to give it back to you. I thought I should wait to tell you. It was kind of heated yesterday.”
Iris’s face blanched and she looked to the ground. “Fuck,” she cursed.
“Ah shit. Should I not have told you?” Olivia wondered.
“Of course you should. I just need to process this. I thought she’d sold it. She told me she did. That’s one reason I’ve been so pissed with her. I guess she was just saving it for when she could use it against me,” Iris mulled.
“Or use it to get close to you,” Olivia said.
“Yeah, or that. Here’s the problem, she knows I’ll do a lot to get it back, even meet her,” Iris explained.
“Yeah,” Olivia sighed, stressed out for her.
“Okay kiddies. We can go,” Nat said, pushing them both toward the door, she hadn't been hearing them talk. The bookseller was eyeing her and it was enjoyably distracting.
Iris followed Nat and Olivia out of the store and back into the world. The weight of what Olivia had told her was directly on her shoulders. It felt like she needed to do something as soon as possible. That guitar was more than an instrument. It was a piece of her past and a reminder of a man who had inspired and loved her.
“Okay, we have got to get some food. I am starving,” Nat groaned.
“Ooo, yes!” Olivia agreed.
“I’m game for anything,” Iris added.
“Yes,” Olivia laughed. “I mean, don't get me wrong. I would've been fine in there just reading for another couple of hours but I can do that at home. I need human contact.” She brushed into Natalie at the same time she slipped her fingers into Iris's hand. “Please, save me.”
“Uh, huh,” Nat laughed. “And save you from what exactly?!”
“Um. Myself. Obviously.”
“We can try but it might be a lost cause,” Iris teased.
Olivia pouted. Nat laughed and hugged Olivia's side.
“You're not wrong,” Olivia said.
“I'm kidding but I know how you feel,” Iris said.
They walked together a little ways until they reached a diner and decided to give it a try. The air was electric as they sat down together and pretended to relax. Nat and Olivia were just so happy to be out together. Anyone close by would notice and or feel it.
All the way to the cafe Iris walked close to them but just behind, lost in thought. Now that she sat beside Nat, Nat was fussing over her, rubbing her thigh and playing with her hair.
Olivia watched them, grateful that someone nice had come into Nat's life. There had been a few rough meetings with other girlfriends. Iris seemed genuine, compared.
They got food and ate, filling up for a day ahead that only held mysteries.
“I'm going to text Ellie and set up a meeting to get my guitar.”
“Whoa,” Nat said, a little worried. “You sure?”
“I need to know if she's really got it. And, if she does, I want it back.”
“Okay,” Nat soothed. “Do you want us to come with you?”
“Maybe. I don't want to antagonize her but I'm a little concerned about going alone,” Iris admitted, moving closer to Nat’s side.
“Then we'll come,” Nat said, holding her.
“Okay,” Iris accepted.
“Where do you think she wants to meet,” Olivia asked. “Would she really come out here?”
“I don't know,” Iris said. “When I talked to her before she wanted to meet in L.A. but maybe I can get her to come here if I pay for it.”
Nat leaned in and kissed Iris's head.
“I don't get it,” Olivia said, annoyed. “Why doesn't she just send you the guitar. It seems rude to me.” She leaned back on the bench and drank from her coffee mug.
“Because she wants something. Either to hurt me or get back into my life. That's all I can figure out,” Iris shrugged.
“I don't like it,” Olivia said.
“It's not about you,” Nat teased.
Olivia stared at Nat until the random rush of unexpected emotion in her faded off. Olivia knew it wasn’t about her. That wasn’t why she was thinking about it so much.
“I don't like it either but after this I can be done for good,” Iris said.
Olivia stayed quiet. She'd just been trying to connect but she took Nat's words as an insult and a shutdown. Little things, small reactions from Nat could tell her a lot about where her friend’s head was at.
They continued eating and things were a little tense while Iris texted her ex.
“Ellie said she would come here if I got her a flight but she wants to meet somewhere private.”
“So, what do you think?” Nat wondered.
“I’m not telling Stan about this. He would have a fucking fit. Do you mind if we let her come to your place?”
“Sure babe, of course,” Nat said, concentrating on her.
“Thanks, I’m not going to let her take forever. I just want to get the guitar and get her out again. Then I can block her again.”
“Should I be worried?” Nat asked. This was Iris's ex they were talking about and Nat’s new relationships always had their ways of blowing up.
Olivia was staring down at her phone now, trying not to listen. All of a sudden, she had become the odd man out. Again. It wasn't new or shocking. She tried not to think about it and thought instead of the book she could read when they finally got back to Natalie's rooftop.
“Worried about what? She’s never been violent or anything,” Iris said.
“No, you know,” Nat said, carefully. “I just mean, it's your ex. And you obviously have strong feelings about her.”
“Oh! Babe,” Iris stopped and pulled Nat with her so they could look at one another. “My only feelings for her are negative. I’m not interested in anyone but you, okay?”
Nat stared back at her and felt the small tug of doubt that nibbled at the edges of her heart. “Yeah,” she laughed it off. “Yeah,” she nodded, and deflated a little.
“Hey, um. I'm gonna go pay. You guys want anything to go?” Olivia had gotten the hint. None of this had anything to do with her and she’d crashed a sad party she wasn't invited to. Nevermind the fact that she had literally been invited.
“I’m fine and I’m sorry about this, Olivia. It’s unnecessary,” Iris said.
“Don't be sorry,” Olivia asked. She got up and sadly left them alone.
“Fuck,” Nat said, watching Olivia wander off.
“You should go talk to her,” Iris said.
“No, it's fine,” Nat lied. Sometimes it bothered Nat, how easily
Olivia could distract her from other people. Even if this was her own fault, Nat still had a little bitterness inside. “Um. What should we do while we wait for Ellie? Is it gonna drive you nuts all day? It would drive me nuts.”
“She won’t be here till tomorrow night. I don’t know. I guess just do whatever,” Iris said.
“Kay,” Nat said, even more worried now.
Knowing that Ellie was coming was like having a ticking time bomb set in front of her.
Chapter 21
A Lot of Trouble
When no one could decide what to do, Olivia caved in her bad mood and tried to be the more positive and cheery one. They got in their car and drove it to the famous market in the middle of town.
“I can make you a homemade dinner,” she decided. “This way, you two can just hang out and relax and I'll be distracted. It'll be great.”
“Who is this person,” Nat teased, speaking to Iris.
“Don't tease me,” Olivia said. “I'm already mad at you.”
“Aww,” Nat whined and then pouted. “I didn't mean to piss you off. I was just teasing.”
“Yeah well. You know I'm sensitive and I don't want to talk about it so let's move on.” Olivia knew she couldn’t afford to even think about it right now.
“Preeetty sure you're not capable of that.”
“Maybe you don't know me that well anymore.”
“Hey,” Nat said, bruised. Olivia walked ahead to a booth that sold cheese and she started to pick some things out, leaving Nat and Iris to do what they wanted. Right now, what they wanted was to wonder at her.
“Is she okay?” Iris asked.
“Uh, not sure honestly,” Nat laughed. “We should find a pie or something. She can't be planning on making dessert too. This is nice though. I like this place.” There were tons of stands with vendors selling food. “Leave it to Olivia,” Nat teased.
“Are you sure I shouldn’t just do this alone and you guys can talk or something?” Iris asked.
“Oh God no. Iris, this isn't you.”
“Are you sure?” Iris asked.
“Um. Yes. Yes baby. I accidentally hurt her feelings and she's upset. Why would that be your fault?”
“Maybe because my crazy life isn’t giving you guys any time to talk?”
“Iris,” Nat groaned. “We’re fine, okay? Believe me, we were like this before. Olivia's not exactly an easy person to befriend. Which makes her kind of irresistible at times which is also annoying. Anyway, I never know when I can joke with her but it's definitely not your fault.”
“Iris?” Olivia was calling for her from the register at the cheese stand.
Iris leaned over and kissed Nat, taking a moment to stroke her cheek before she looked over to Olivia.
“What’s up?” Iris asked.
“What kind of pasta do you like? I wanna make something you'll like.” Olivia paid for her cheese and walked back over to them.
“Oh, everything. I’m not picky,” Iris said.
“You have to have a preference,” Olivia said. “Marinara? Alfredo? Marsala? Mizithra?” She rambled on. “They have fresh noodles here. I looked it up on Instagram.”
“Olivia,” Nat warned.
Olivia scrunched her forehead grumpily. “Okay, fine. Nevermind,” she said, staring between them and then walking away. “I'll just make what I want.”
“Hey, Marinara is good. I like that the best,” Iris called.
Olivia pivoted and smiled. “Thank you,” she said, turning away again and walking toward the tomatoes nearby.
Nat growled near Iris's ear and squeezed her sides lightly with her fingertips to make her jump.
“Hey, what was that for?” Iris teased.
“Don't be nice to her. It's too cute.”
“I can’t help it. She seemed so sad that we weren’t picking food.”
Iris grabbed Nat’s hands and pulled her closer.
“Mmm,” Nat hummed, hugging Iris from behind. “Well, if you wanna hang out with her go ahead but I can't promise I won't get jealous.”
“No way. I wanna hang out with you. But pasta does sound good.”
“And she will make you pasta so be ready to eat it. She's a perfectionist.”
“I promise I’ll eat some,” Iris said, leaning back into Nat.
“Hey, it's your funeral if you don't,” Nat whispered.
“You wouldn’t let me die,” Iris said.
“No, I would not,” Nat flirted, rocking her. “But I also can't promise that you won’t get a little nibbled on by the attractive wolf. Her bite stings.”
“I don’t think the wolf wants to nibble on me. You, maybe, but I think I’m safe,” Iris contended.
“Wolves are unpredictable my dear.”
“Uh huh, are you even making sense?” Iris teased.
“Probably not,” Nat laughed. “But I like hearing your voice so I keep talking to get you to talk.”
“I see, your ulterior motives are uncovered. Now I know what to withhold when I want something.”
“So mean,” Nat huffed. Iris smelt way too good and she was teasing her now which, when coupled with Olivia's emotional nonsense, only served to push her over a wall. “You know, you can just ask me for what you want. I'll probably want to give it to you anyway. Torture isn't the way.”
“You're too sweet. It's going to break my heart,” Iris said.
“I hope not,” Nat said. “I was hoping to heal your heart not break it.”
“You are. I just don't like thinking about you getting hurt by people.”
“Then don't hurt me,” Nat asked. “I mean, unless you absolutely must.”
“Not happening,” Iris promised.
“I feel like an asshole right now,” Nat confessed.
“Why?” Iris turned around and looked at Nat. “What could you have done?”
“Well,” Nat sighed, looking out at Olivia and then back to Iris. “I invited my best friend out here, and I miss her, I really really do. But all I want to do right now is lock myself in a private room with you.”
“Oh,” Iris said. Iris looked down and smiled. “I hate that I'm happy about that.”
Nat laughed and squeezed her. “No you don't,” she teased.
“A little bit.” Iris looked back up at Nat. “I don't like that it makes you feel like an asshole.”
“I am an asshole,” Nat said. “Look.” She pointed to Olivia off in the distance who was sadly shopping all alone. “She is sweet and perfect and she wants to make us dinner. And I’ve been mean. I suck.”
“No you don't, well, you do and very well but it's just timing and everything is new with us. It doesn't help that I've been out of it with the Ellie thing. You just want to take care of everyone. We'll go have dinner and I can go visit Stan or something while you guys hang out.”
“No. You can't,” Nat pouted. “I want you to stay. I'll just have to talk to her. Apologize. Explain. She'll get it. It just sucks.” Nat was frustrated. Hurting Olivia was the last thing she ever wanted to do but she was doing it right now and she hated that. This was new.
“I don't want you to feel bad but I also know maybe I can make you feel better later,” Iris said.
“I might need it,” Nat confessed. “When we get home, will you make me a drink?”
“Of course, anything you want,” Iris said.
“Thank you,” Nat breathed. She couldn't wait to be back home relaxing again. They'd had too much commotion what with Ellie and their life on the movie set.
Nat watched Olivia from afar and eventually convinced Iris to get a milkshake with her.
Chapter 22
Your Past Always Follows You
The next day was their last day off and Iris was full of anxiety and trying to figure out how to act like she wasn’t. Ellie was arriving in an hour and they were just sitting in the apartment waiting. She had taken a long nap and left Nat to hang out with Olivia.
They needed some time together and she needed to think through what she was going
to say to Ellie. She joined them eventually when they were just hanging out on the balcony. She walked out and looked out over the cityscape, putting her hair up in a bun.
“Hey,” Iris said.
“Yaaay,” Nat beamed affectionately. She had a glass of wine in her hand and they'd obviously been listening to music and occasionally taking a dip in the pool.
“Hey,” Olivia laughed and smiled too.
“You guys seem to be having fun,” Iris commented.
She had to smile at them and try to let their happiness soak into her.
“And you should drink with us,” Nat said, pulling Iris over to sit ontop of her lap.
“Oh, hey,” Iris said as she settled against Nat. “Probably not the best idea but if you kiss me I might get drunk on you.”
“Mmm,” Nat hummed, leaning back and obliging.
Olivia caught an eyeful and drank her wine down anxiously. Things had been a little tense the past few days. Nat wasn’t exactly being altogether inviting and things with Iris had been stressful due to so many other things. For a visitor who usually felt like family Olivia found herself precariously walking on eggshells.
The wine had hit Nat easily so her head spun as she basked in Iris's kiss. “That's a very nice way to say hello.”
“It’s my favorite. We shouldn’t even use words, just the kissing." Iris sat on Nat’s lap and considered what was about to happen. This was going to make her nauseous. She reached for Nat’s glass and drank the rest of what was there.
“I changed my mind,” Iris said.
“Aww,” Nat laughed, watching her. “God you're sexy.”
“Here,” Olivia laughed, noticing Natalia's inability to form words. She reached for the bottle and refilled the glass for Iris. “This one is bad with manners.”
“Thank you,” Iris said. She reached up and stroked Nat’s cheek with her index finger. “At least she’s cute, right?”
“Mmm,” Olivia smiled. “Very.” She hovered over them and watched them a little. It made her happy to see Nat so happy and Iris was sweet.
“What have you guys been up to?” Iris asked.
“Uh, shit-talking mostly,” Nat teased. “Not about you, of course. Other people though.”