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“If I knew I was going to get the third degree I would’ve kept my earbuds in.”
“Then lucky for me you took them out. So, go on. Out with it.”
He sighed, running a hand over his face. “I’m meeting family I’ve never met before.”
“Who are they? I can tell you everything you need to know about them.” This just got interesting. She sat up in her chair and angled her body toward him, ready to give him the scoop.
He laughed. “I appreciate the offer, but I want to be able to figure them out on my own. First impressions can tell a lot about a person, and I don’t want to taint that with preconceived notions.”
“If that were the case, then I don’t even want to think what you might think about me. First impressions are not everything, and from my experience, nine times out of ten they’re completely inaccurate.”
His eyes darted to her, eyebrow lifting slightly. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely. The first time you meet someone, especially in a planned setting, they are on their best behavior.”
He nodded and took his chin between thumb and forefinger. “How long does it take to finally know someone’s true character?”
“I don’t know. I lived with someone for two years and only found out who he truly was a few hours ago.”
“Ouch.”
“It’s my own fault. I was so obsessed with the fairy tale that I couldn’t see what was right in front of me the whole time.”
“And what was that?”
“That he was a lying, manipulative, asshole who only cared about his career.”
He held his hands up. “Sorry I asked.”
“Don’t be. I feel better now that it’s off my chest.” She didn’t realize how much was building inside her until she opened the valve and let a little out. Maybe crying wasn’t the best medicine. Maybe it was talking. Not that she was going to completely unload on this poor suspecting soul. She should just call her sister, but she’d been too embarrassed to earlier.
Cindy had the perfect life—so perfect she made a career out of it by posting pictures of her family on social media and starting a successful Mommy blog. Olivia didn’t want to admit that she’d lost everything in the matter of minutes, but being only two years a part, Cindy had always been her rock.
“It’s his loss.”
Olivia turned to the handsome stranger and laughed. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ve been insufferable from the moment you got on this train. I bet in your head you think the guy dodged a bullet.”
“You have spirit. That can be an admirable quality.”
Her cheeks heated at the compliment. He had no reason to be nice to her now, but he was, and his kindness reminded her that just because Daniel was a dick didn’t mean all men were. It was reassuring in a moment when she needed it most.
He checked his phone and leaned in the seat. “We have about another twenty minutes. Want to talk about it?”
Her head snapped around, practically flying off her neck. “You do not want to hear my sob story.”
“My audiobook is done, and to be honest, your voice is much more pleasing than the narrator’s.”
She smiled. She’d ask him what book he was listening to, but she doubted she would know it. Daniel always got on her case for not reading more. He made her feel stupid, because she wasn’t up-to-date on the newest entrepreneurial read. It wasn’t her fault she preferred to spend her time reading fashion blogs and celebrity gossip rags.
“I’m Shane. Maybe knowing my name will make it easier to talk.”
Any inhibitions she had slowly began to fade. “I’m Olivia.”
“Now that we’re best friends, let me have it.”
“I have two best friends who would fight you for the title.”
He smiled and it accentuated his handsome features. “We don’t want that.”
