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Standing at the doorway to the dining room is the aforementioned Olivia Weldon – Spencer’s former student and now lover. Spencer swears he first saw her in a dream before he met her, and only then bumped into her in real life at Crystal River University. He swears it was all some twist of fate that they would meet. I do think, however, it was more a fact that my overly-educated brother simply got the hots for his pretty younger student.
Olivia has coffee-brown eyes, shoulder-length tawny brown hair, and bushy eyebrows. She’s obviously got a quick intelligence hidden behind those shy eyes. I can see why Spencer grew enraptured by her. There’s a quiet charisma to her that’s hard to nail down precisely. She’s very well-read, independent, introverted, and apparently very athletic. She loves the gym and running. I’ve gotten to know her ever since she started dating my brother.
I smile instantly when she speaks. It’s good to see her. She’s kept my nerdy brother honest and down-to-earth.
“Hello, Olivia. I must say, you’re looking radiant this fine evening. I love your dress.”
The girl blushes. She’s wearing a dark blue silk dress that cascades into a flowing skirt. She’s made herself nice for this little dinner.
“Thank you,” she says.
“Alright, Victor,” my brother says, patting me on the shoulder. “Stop that.”
“Stop what, brother?”
“Stop that with her. No need for that Hollywood charm, alright?”
“You’re just jealous of my abilities to lure and woo the fairer sex,” I retort.
My brother laughs. “Never. I’m just hungry, and I can’t deal with your bullshit. And I certainly don’t need you to lure and woo my girlfriend. You came over for dinner, so let’s eat.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more,” I say. “I am starving for something homemade and not from one of Mother’s live-in chefs at the mansion.”
The couple lead me to a prepared table. I messaged Spencer a few days ago informing him I’ll be passing through Crystal River on my way to Europe. He invited me for dinner.
I never refuse a good dinner. I never refuse a chance to talk with one of my brothers.
We sit down to eat. Spencer and Olivia have made steak. The finest cuts, naturally. It’s delicious, as I would expect.
“How’s your career going, Victor?” Olivia asks me as we dine. “I saw your latest movie on Tuesday. I loved it.”
“Thank you,” I say across the table. “My career is going well, and it’s also going shit.”
Spencer’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean by that?” he asks. “Shit?”
“Well, I’m getting the roles I want,” I say. “But I also wasn’t nominated for the best actor award this year, which has royally fucked me in the ass.”
“You really want it, don’t you?” my brother asks.
“Why do you think you didn’t get it?” Olivia questions.
I shrug. “I saw a news piece about how I’m a bachelor and reckless and a playboy. Apparently, they’re the things stopping me from ever getting near the nomination process.”
“But you are a bachelor and reckless and a playboy,” Spencer says.
“Yes, I am, but I should also be able to win that award,” I retort. “I can act well enough. Why does my private life have to influence that?”
“In the real world,” Spencer explains with that condescending professorial style of his, “reputation matters as much as talent.”
“I know that, Spencer. But it is unfair.”
My brother shrugs. “That’s life.”
“What can be done to get that award?” Olivia asks me, breaking through the brotherly tension expertly. “What can you do about it, Victor?”
“Think logically,” Spencer adds.
I groan.
