You Can't Buy My Love

Nolan

I lied down in bed, trying to ignore the fact that Olivia was just an inch away from me. Even though her back was turned, I could still smell her. I wanted to touch her; hold her even. But maybe she was right. We couldn't get in too deep. We still have about two months left of this, and I know me. I was bound to hurt her.

I silently cursed myself, then sat up slowly as not to wake her. I couldn't sleep at all, so I went out into the living area to maybe watch TV for a while. To my surprise, Jared and nova were both still up watching 'Prison Break'. I see he's determined to finish that show before we get back.

I shook my head in amusement, making myself comfortable on the couch. "What's the matter?" Nova asked me, looking over in my direction. "I heard you got bit by the love bug," she grinned, wiggling her eyebrows.

"I didn't get bit by anything," I grumbled.

"Oh yeah!" She laughed, throwing a pillow at me. "Never seen you in such a bad mood before." I tossed the pillow on the floor, then rolled my eyes at the pair of them.

"I don't know why I came out here." I mumbled under my breath, slipping out onto the dock. They were getting on my nerves; I wasn't in the mood to play around. I screwed up big time. The first time I actually meet a girl who's not completely despicable, and I can't even do anything with her because I'm paying her deceive everyone.

How do I even undo this? I can't.

"Woah man." Jared said, coming outside, Nova trailing not too far behind him. "You okay?" He asked, and I rolled my eyes.

"Not you two again." I groaned, going to sit by the pool.

"Never seen you so upset before, I thought your string of lies was working out for you." Jared said, amusement dancing on his face.

"My string of lies is working just fine," I told him sternly, shaking my head. "That's the problem."

"You really like her, don't you?" Nova asked, sitting down on the ground next to me.

"No!" I yelled, then stopped when I realized I was getting too emotional about it. "I don't like her... okay..." I trailed off, ignoring the look they both exchanged with each other. "I've just been thinking about my Mom that's all. She woulda been so... disappointed in me."

"Been trying to tell you that all along," Jared sighed, shaking his head.

"Listen," Nova started. "Let's just say for a second that you do like her. Why not take her out on a real date?" She asked, maybe trying to cheer me up. "Girls still like dates you know." She smiled, shaking her head.

"Plus, you kinda owe her," Jared chimed in. "For being such a dick on her birthday."

"And don't even think about seducing her!" Nova imputed, pointing at me sternly. "If a woman likes you with her heart, her body is going to follow. When she's ready!"

"Yeah, well..." I trailed off, placing my hand behind my neck guiltily. "Might be a little late for that." I cringed, watching as they both shook their head disapprovingly.

"I can't believe you." Nova said.

"I can!" Jared scoffed. "And what did she say anyways?"

"She said no." I said simply with a shrug.

Jared asked. "That's

and she wants to keep things professional." I

virgin..." Nova trailed off knowingly, like it was the simplest equation

your assumption?" I

tone that was disbelieving, holding

out on a real date. Shouldn't be too hard for you since you technically have never been on one yourself. Maybe you'll both like it." He encouraged, and I gathered ideas

make things up to her.

~*~

on, I proudly settled on something that I hoped she would enjoy. Verona was our last stop before heading back towards home, so I bought two tickets

Once I got back on my outing with my father and brother, I spotted her by her favorite

as she sunbathed on the pool lounger. "Guess who." I smiled through my shades, bending down beside her and she

sarcastically, and I saw the hint of a

grinned, playing along with her games. "I got you something." I said, putting the tickets in her face. She opened her eyes slowly, at

got us tickets to see 'Romeo & Juliet'?" She exclaimed, staring at me through bright blue eyes. "Wait... is everyone going?" She asked

you and me." I answered, watching as the realization filled her

nodded. "As in..." she trailed off,

a real one. But that's only if you want to." I sighed, making it seem like I didn't care as much as I

to her feet and started to scream. "I'm going to see Romeo and Juliet!" She yelled out to the ocean. "In Verona!" She jolted with excitement, then threw her arms around me before darting down

but I didn't realize she would be this excited. I had fun gauging her reaction, and I idly wondered if I should let her get dressed in peace or

my Dad pointed out, pulling

feet. "Yeah, since our last night in Italy and everything." I rambled on, trying to hide the heat that crept on my

a lasting marriage." He nodded his approval, sipping on a cold beer. "I remember taking

too." I sighed. "I'm gonna go

get dressed in Jared's room. Since Nova was helping Olivia get ready, I assumed that she wanted her privacy. I put on my best black, velvet suit, and hoped that by some miracle

know why, but I felt like a nervous teenager; like I was getting ready to pick up my prom date. This is why I don't do things like this. It's

until I saw

looked up for a second, and she was ascending the hall of the yacht. When I laid my eyes on her I knew exactly why I was putting myself through this. Somehow she got the whole velvet memo, and wore a tight red,

I was holding my breath until she stood in front of me, staring at me shyly. Her hair was pulled to the side, and she was wearing red lipstick to match her dress. I honestly don't even

said before I could even stop myself.

you," she smiled softly, grabbing a black

for it. "Let me." She smiled softly at me still, turning around so that I could drape the coat around her shoulders. "Ready?" I asked her, once she was all nice

Olivia gawked, staring at everything around us so mesmerized. "I've never seen something more beautiful in my lifetime." She sighed, gazing around at the arena as we took

sitting

a small child on Christmas Day. I smiled softly at her, wondering how

she shifted in her seat from my compliment. She stopped smiling immediately to look at me, and the only reason why she looked away was because the play was about to

of excitement, of anger. Any emotion you can think of in a collective breath. While everyone was watching Romeo & Juliet, I was watching Olivia. There was no greater art than

all of her reactions, I even furrowed my brows and watched as she silently cried at the end. To tell you the truth, I can't even really tell

sudden burst of clapping, followed by the lights coming back on. The cast bowed, flowers were thrown, and the curtains closed. I watched as Olivia stood to her feet, and quickly

out of the arena. She didn't say much to me though, I figured she was still in her head about the play. In fact, she didn't say a word until we were almost back