Three more Rum and Cokes later and Olivia was at the perfect level of tipsy where everything was a lot funnier, but she could still walk straight and talk perfectly fine. Jack, on the other hand, was extremely sloppy and currently on his feet dancing with a lady who must've been 70 – at least. A Katy Perry song was playing loudly and he was belting out the words whilst spinning the elderly woman under his arm and shimmying with her. It was quite the sight.

“This is what we deal with,” Zack said, his voice laced with mock-irritation. Olivia laughed loudly, she'd missed Jack's antics. He had always been so outgoing and crazy; loved causing a scene and being the center of attention.

“Well, as much as we'd love to stay and watch Jack make an even bigger fool out of himself, we should probably get going muscle man,” Rian stated, referring mostly to Zack who was his designated driver. Rian had stopped after a good 5 beers and then moved onto water, claiming a headache like an old man.

“Alrighty, see you guys,” Alex waved slightly, still chuckling at Jack.

“Byeeeeeee,” Olivia beamed, waving slightly, the two waved back on their way out, “So how's Jack planning on getting home?” she pondered out loud.

“I'll just take him back to my place, let him sleep in my spare room,” Alex shrugged. His arm was resting over the back of Olivia's chair and she could feel the heat radiating off him; for whatever reason it gave her goosebumps.

“Tonight's been really fun,” Olivia smiled, so genuinely happy for the first time in so long. Alex looked to meet her gaze, his eyes smiling back at hers. They didn't say anything for a couple of seconds, just looked at each other, before Jack's piercing voice ripped through their moment as he screeched some lyric, causing the pair to giggle to each other.

After about another hour of watching Jack get drunker and more embarrassing, Alex finally decided it was home time. He grabbed Jack and wrapped one of his arms around his shoulders to keep his balance, whilst Olivia grabbed Jack's jacket for him and followed them out to the car. Jack continued belting out whatever old Nsync song was playing, customers laughing and cheering as he was hauled away and laid across the backseat of Alex's car.

“You vomit and you're dead, okay?” Alex warned, his voice stern. Jack mumbled a noise of agreement before quickly beginning to snore. Olivia slid into the passenger seat beside Alex and laughed at the loud noises coming from Jack. “Just awesome,” Alex mocked, raising his eyebrows, faking irritation.

“Does he do this a lot?” Olivia asked, looking at Alex despite his eyes being focused ahead of him. She felt her eyes warming to him, they would soften when she caught sight of him and she could feel it. Technically she didn't really know him anymore, but her eyes still knew him well.

“Yeah,” Alex chuckled, “it's just Jack, though, that's what he does,” the pair laughed politely and then the car fell silent for a couple minutes.

“So...” Alex began, his voice sounding a little different, more serious, “Engagement ring, huh?” it wasn't really a question, more of an observation, but a very loaded observation. Engagement ring, huh? really meant So, you're engaged? To a real person? Who you love? Who you probably live with? He got down on one knee and asked you to be his forever? Who is he? What's his name? What does he do? Do you love him? Does he love you? Do you guys have a washing up schedule? Like you do it one night and he does it the next? Do you host dinner parties with your friends and laugh about how he burnt the chicken? But you tell him you love it anyway? That was the train of thought actually going through his head, but he couldn't exactly ask all of that out loud and risk looking like an actual crazy person.

“Oh, yeah,” Olivia replied, an awkward laugh followed, “Yeah, I'm engaged.”

“That's really awesome, congrats,” Alex responded, his tone flat, completely obvious that he didn't genuinely mean it. Olivia didn't know how to take that. She didn't know if she should be offended, a lot of people disliked the fact that she was engaged so young, she was kind of used to people thinking she was stupid.

“Thanks,” she replied, pretending not to notice his lack of interest.

“So, what's his name?”

“Derek,” she responded quickly, the mention of his name reminding her she was supposed to call him; she groaned to herself.

Alex had a lot he wanted to say, he wanted to ask where he was?, why she was alone?, why he wasn't with her?, did they have a date set?, was he nice?, did he treat her right?, does he make her laugh?, do her parents like him?, but he just nodded and kept quiet for the rest of the car ride; deciding his mind really need to calm down.

Eventually they pulled up outside Olivia's hotel. Alex got out of the car and again opened her door for her and helped her out of the car. She muttered a thank you as she stepped out, steadying herself; ensuring she had all of her things. The pair stood on the side walk outside of the hotel and just looked at each other for a second.

“Thank you, really, for tonight,” Olivia said with what appeared to be a sad smile on her face, “I really enjoyed myself.”

“Me too,” Alex nodded, the corner of his mouth twitching up, his gaze warm and filled with emotions Olivia couldn't quite put her finger on.

“Goodnight,” she whispered, leaning forward and kissing him on the cheek, holding it a little longer than she probably should've. She pulled back, almost in slow motion, her face millimetres from his. The moment felt so tender and sweet, the tension between the two of them so thick; the air around them felt heavy. Every part of him ached with the want to kiss her, but he remained totally still, watching her as she pulled back. She gave him another small smile before slowly turning and making her way inside. He watched her walk away, partly to check she made it inside safely but also because he didn't think he could physically move.

After a good couple minutes of standing in total silence, staring straight ahead, his thoughts going a million miles an hour, he finally pulled himself together and got back in the car, starting up the engine.

“You guys so almost fuuuuucked,” Jack mumbled from the backseat, his voice croaky and his words almost incoherent. Alex was about to jump to his own defence but he was quickly cut off by the continuation of the hideously loud snoring. Alex sighed, confused as he navigating the dimly lit streets of Baltimore.

Notes

okay so this chapter is a lil more interesting, hope u guys enjoy x