*Olivia*
I just blinked at Nicole and stared at her dumbly, completely shocked by her words.
Just minutes earlier, we had been giggling together like we had been friends for a long time. I liked her and genuinely felt like she was good for my brother. I thought I had conveyed that well by being friendly and opening up to her.
Perhaps I was wrong.
I laughed a flat, humorless laugh. “Why would you think that?" I asked.
She didn't answer for a long moment, just looking down at the bathroom's tiled floor. I was grateful that we were the only ones in there.
I felt a stab of guilt and approached her, setting a hand on her shoulder. I was glad she didn't try to back away from me. I needed to remedy this now for Byron's sake. “I'm sorry for making you feel that way," I said gently. “But be
