Model Behavior

by Claire Highton-Stevenson

  ~MB~

  Cynthia Copeland had encouraged her daughter to meet with Hilary, and from what she was witnessing through the window right now, she had to smile as she noticed the young blonde in the passenger seat of Olivia’s car.

  Observing them, she noticed that neither seemed uncomfortable, and she hoped that that meant they might be back on track, or at least heading in that direction. Turning away from the window, she crossed the room and waited in the foyer to greet them both. No reason why she couldn’t make it clear that Hilary was very welcome here.

  “Hello, lovely to see you again, Hilary.” She could tell by the look of surprise and then the smile that Hilary was impressed she had been remembered by the star in the room. “Olivia, I will make myself scarce. Gracie wants to see that new movie; I’ll pick her up and take her. You have the place to yourself for the evening.” She kissed her daughter’s cheek and grabbed her keys from the antique sideboard near the door. “I hope to see you again, Hilary.”

  The house was quiet apart from the soft sound of classical music playing somewhere in the background. Olivia placed her keys in the same place her mother had just retrieved hers from and then she walked toward the lounge, turning back to Hilary as she walked.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  “Sure, why not?” Hilary said, following her. She took a seat on a rather plush, probably very expensive couch, while her companion worked the bar and poured them each a glass of wine.

  “Thank you,” Olivia said. Passing the glass to Hilary, she took a seat next to her. She kept a space between them – out of respect for Hilary, not because she didn’t want to be near her. “For being here and hearing me out.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me all this before?” Hilary asked. The wine tasted amazing. She sipped slowly as Olivia thought about her answer.

  “I guess there are several reasons. Firstly, it wasn’t something I wanted to think about, and so I tried to suppress it in the hope that it would go away.” She smiled weakly before continuing. “I guess that I never really understood just how much it had affected me. Also, I like you. I like you a lot. Who wants the first real conversation with a potential new lover to be about sexual assault?

  You made me feel so normal, and you treated me as though I was important and special. I didn’t think of it when I was with you.” Her smile widened, and for the first time this evening, it reached her eyes. “I have been speaking with a therapist, and she thinks that the reason I panicked, and freaked out, was simply because—”

  “Because I pinned you down and—”

  “Yes. It was a trigger. It wasn’t because of you.” She reached across, grasped Hilary’s arm, and squeezed. “Please don’t ever think it was because of you.”

  They sat quietly, sipping their drinks as each considered this new information. It wasn’t uncomfortable; that was the surprising thing for Hilary. She thought this entire evening would be difficult, and a lot shorter, but right now there was no place she would rather be.

  “Are you still seeing your therapist?” Hilary asked. She needed to know that Olivia was dealing with this.

  Olivia nodded. “I think it’s really helping, actually.”

  “That’s good. It really is, and thank you for sharing this with me. I was hurt, Liv. I had no idea what had happened, or what I had done, and you were so upset—”

  Olivia jumped back in. “I’m sorry. I wanted…I really wanted you. I wanted to go to bed with you. It was never you I was rejecting, but I understand.” Their glasses almost empty, she rose to get the bottle and brought it back to the table.

  Hilary looked confused. “What do you understand?”

  “That you would rather not see me again.” Olivia’s words were barely a whisper, but she held Hilary’s gaze, her hands in her lap. One thumb moved constantly over the back of her other hand.

  “I never said I didn’t want to see you again.” Hilary searched Olivia’s face, then inched forward. When Olivia didn’t back away, she moved a little closer again. “I just don’t want to feel the way I did when you screamed at me to leave, and I don’t want to do anything that will hurt you.”

  “I am so sorry. It wasn’t you. I was—”

  “I know, but it doesn’t change how much it hurt.” When Olivia reached out tentatively to take Hilary’s hand in her own, Hilary didn’t stop her. Instead, she smiled. “Just talk to me, any time, about anything.”

  “I will.” Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. The smile returned instantly. “I can’t…”

  She was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door. Cynthia poked her head around it.

  “Hello, just letting you know we’re back; the movie was cancelled. Apparently, there is an electrical issue. Anyway, I’ll keep Gracie out of your hair for a little while longer. She wants dinner. I’ll be in the library if you need me, okay?”

  Hilary surprised them both. “Why don’t we take Gracie for dinner, I mean, if you want to…unless, you have plans?”

  Olivia grinned. “No, no plans. I’d actually love that, if you’re sure?”

  Before Hilary could answer, the bundle of five-year-old excitement ran past her grandmother and into the room, jumping up onto the couch between them. “Hilary, where have you been? I had a whole heap of things to tell you about.”

  “You did? Well then you can tell me all about that now!”

  Olivia pulled Gracie onto her lap. “But first, you need to go and wash up, as we are taking Hilary to dinner.”

  “Oh, yes! Can we get burgers?” Gracie asked, twisting around in her mother’s lap. “I am so hungry.”

  “I think we will let Hilary decide where we’re going.” Olivia looked at Hilary and held her gaze. “It’s her treat.”

  Twisting back around, Gracie held out her hands. “Now, Hilary, you know we need to eat burgers, right?”

  “Burgers, huh?” She looked from Gracie back to Olivia. “I’m happy with that.” Her smile conveyed it was more than the burgers she was happy about.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It was gone nine when Olivia pulled the car in through the gates and parked up. Gracie was snoring quietly in the back, strapped inside her booster seat, long legs dangling.

  “I had a really nice time,” Olivia said, turning the ignition off and turning in her seat to face Hilary.

  “Me too.”

  “I’m sorry that Grace was a little…overwhelming?” She chuckled at her memories of Grace regaling Hilary with every tiny thing of importance that she had done this past week.

  “It’s fine, she’s a character.”

  “Yeah, a little too much like her grandmother.” Olivia laughed as she looked back towards the house. “Do you…do you want to come in? Or you can wait here and I’ll…”

  Hilary reached out and touched Olivia’s arm, stilling her words instantly. “We already had this discussion at the restaurant. I am in no rush to go, if you still have things you need to say.”

  Olivia smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Why don’t I get Gracie and you open the door?” Hilary suggested, climbing out of the vehicle and opening the back door before Olivia could protest. She unbuckled the seat belt and gently lifted Gracie. The child snuggled into her. “Wow, she is heavier than she looks.”

  Olivia pumped her biceps. “Where do you think I got these from?”

  ~MB~

  They could just barely hear the sound of a TV somewhere in the house. Canned laughter and then the loud chuckle of Cynthia followed. Olivia frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” Hilary whispered.

  “Nothing, I just…we can talk in the library I guess,” she answered.

  “Uh we can, or if you like we can go to your room? I mean if that helps.” Hilary walked towards the stairs. Gracie’s dead weight was starting to make her arms ache.

  Olivia followed. “Are you sure? It would be…I would like that.”

  With Gracie tucked up in her own bed, sound asleep and already snuggling her favourite stuffed bear, Olivi
a took Hilary’s hand and led her into the hall and then into her own room.

  Hilary looked around the room she had last seen just over two weeks ago, when she had been unceremoniously evicted. Nothing much had changed except the linen. The bedding had been blue then; now it was white.

  The curtains were open, and she wandered over to look out, remembering the view from there that overlooked the pool and the gardens.

  Olivia was busy switching on lamps, Illuminating the corners and crevices with a soft peach light. When she finished that, she picked up a remote and pressed play on a stereo that Hilary had yet to see. It was hidden somewhere from view, she assumed behind a cupboard.

  “I think we need some boundaries.” Hilary spoke softly, her eyes following Olivia around the room. “I think I need to know what we are exactly, the two of us? And what I can and can’t do?” The soft sound of a jazz musician filled the room. Olivia drew the curtains against the night sky, and then she turned to face Hilary before she replied.

  “Alright, what do you suggest?” she asked as Hilary moved slowly towards the bed and sat delicately on the edge.

  “Before the party, we—” Hilary used her hand to wave back and forth between them, indicating them both physically as well as verbally. “We went on a date and I liked that.”

  “I don’t want to date anyone else,” Olivia confirmed as she joined her, perched on the edge facing the woman whom she wanted to know so much more about. “Just you.”

  “Okay. And we also—”

  “I would like very much to kiss you, and be kissed by you.”

  Hilary chuckled, much to Olivia’s confusion.

  “You don’t want to? That’s okay, I—” Olivia felt fingertips against her lips stopping her from speaking.

  “I’m laughing because it’s as though you can read my mind.” Hilary reached out tentatively and caressed Olivia’s cheek with her palm. “I want to kiss you too. I just need to know that when I do, you won’t be freaked out.” She smiled slowly. “What will make you happy, adventurous again?”

  “If I am honest, I don’t know. I don’t know if I am ready to go any further than kissing, and I get it if that’s a problem—”

  “It’s not.” Hilary gripped Olivia’s hands together between her own.

  “Because I know it’s not something that—”

  “Liv? It’s fine, I’m in no rush. Whatever you need, alright?” Olivia nodded. “Thank you for trusting me.”

  “I do.” Olivia leant forward and placed a chaste kiss against Hilary’s lips. “I trust you, Hils.”

  “I should get going. It’s pretty late already,” Hilary acknowledged.

  “Stay,” whispered Olivia. Her fingers cupped Hilary’s cheek, and her thumb rubbed gently back and forth. “I mean, to sleep, unless that’s weird for you, or too fast?”

  Hilary shook her head. “No, I like that idea. I just need to call my sister.”

  While Hilary made her call, Olivia showered and got changed in the bathroom. Going through her nightly ritual was calming the nerves she felt. She had no concerns that Hilary would be the perfect gentlewoman, but still, she worried that it could still all go wrong.

  When she was done, she took one deep breath and exhaled slowly, and then she opened the door and entered the room, finding Hilary sitting on the edge of her bed, shoes off.

  “All okay?” she asked as she moved about the room, pulling drawers open.

  “Yes, all good.” Hilary grinned, “Though, I’m going to need something…”

  Olivia grinned and held out a pile of clothing. “Something to sleep in? Yes, take your pick.”

  “Are you sure you’re not a mind reader?” Hilary narrowed her eyes at her and took the offered pile of clothing.

  “Well, if I was then I’d definitely not tell you.” Olivia laughed.

  Their eyes fixed with one another, neither wanting to look away. “I should…” Hilary pointed towards the bathroom.

  “There are towels on the shelf to the left, help yourself,” Olivia said, feeling the loss when Hilary finally turned away. She liked having Hilary look at her that way.

  Climbing into bed, she lay back against the pillows and sighed. The sound of the shower spray focused her thoughts. Hilary was here, inside her bathroom, naked. That thought alone brought a smile to her face. And right then she knew that with a little bit of time, she could get past her issues with Ava.

  She felt different already, content.

  Turning down the music, she listened, and when the shower switched off, she giggled to herself. She felt 14 again, having a friend stay over for the first time.

  At the click of the door handle turning, she got herself together and lay quietly, her eyes following Hilary as she emerged from the bathroom wearing Olivia’s silk pyjamas. She’d pinned her hair up, and what little make-up she had been wearing was gone. She looked stunning.

  “What are you grinning about? she asked, walking around to the side of the bed earmarked for her to sleep in.

  Olivia shrugged. “You’re just cute, that’s all.”

  She lifted the cover and climbed in. “Cute, huh?”

  “A little bit.”

  Hilary pulled the cover over herself and rolled onto her side, facing Olivia. “So, how do you want to do this?”

  Olivia shook her head slowly. “I haven’t a clue. Didn’t think past this part.”

  “Well, I gotta warn you, I’m a bit of a snuggler, or so I am told.” Her lips curled up.

  “Oh, a snuggler.” Olivia rolled to face her, their hands meeting in the middle. “Well, I should tell you that I like being snuggled.”

  “So…we should maybe try it out?”

  Olivia closed her eyes. “I’d like that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Olivia’s bed was something else. Hilary had slept in many beds during her travels, but none had ever been as comfortable as this was. Then again, maybe it wasn’t so much the bed as the bed partner.

  She had been awake for a few minutes. Her left arm was a little numb from being underneath Olivia for how long? She had no clue, but she wasn’t going to move it anytime soon.

  Sighing happily, Hilary closed her eyes and let her other senses overwhelm her. If this was how every day could be, then she had no complaints.

  She felt Olivia stretch out her legs, a little content moan escaping as her hand tightened its grip around Hilary’s arm.

  “Good morning,” Hilary mumbled against her hair as she realised that Olivia was now awake too.

  Olivia smiled. “Morning.”

  “Did you sleep well?” Pressing a kiss against the crown of her head, Hilary tried and failed to suppress the smile on her face. It was definitely not what she had imagined happening when she answered the call from Olivia yesterday.

  “Yes, can you stay every night?” Olivia giggled before leaning back and tilting her head to look up at Hilary. She could get lost in those sleepy green eyes.

  “Is it okay if…I kiss you?”

  Olivia hadn’t expected that, but she liked it. “I don’t think you kissing me is something I am going to have a problem with,” she answered honestly. Grinning, she stretched her neck to meet warm, waiting lips. The kiss was nothing like the ones they had shared before, but it was filled with as much promise.

  “Can you stay for breakfast? My mother makes a mean French toast.”

  Hilary laughed. “Oh, I don’t think I can deny the great Cynthia Copeland her moment in the limelight if she is that good with French toast.”

  When Hilary leaned in for another kiss, she got the fright of her life. The door burst open. “Mummy, Mummy, did you and Hilary have a sleepover?” Gracie asked, rushing towards the bed and jumping up and between them.

  “Grace Amira Copeland, what have I told you about knocking on the door before you come running in like a hooligan?” Olivia scolded gently.

  Rolling her eyes, Gracie flopped back against Hilary. “But Mummy, we could have built a pillow fort and all slept in
my room.”

  Hilary chuckled.

  “Oh, that sounds fun to you, huh?” Olivia said, a perfectly tweezed brow raising at her.

  Shrugging, Hilary laughed again. “Well, yeah. I love pillow forts.”

  Gracie jumped up. “See, come on Mummy, let’s build a fort.”

  “And miss Nanna’s French toast?”

  Gracie stopped jumping, suddenly becoming very serious. “French toast? Bye Mummy, bye Hilary.” Her little legs moved so fast that she was off the bed and out of the room before Hilary could sit up.

  “Oh my God, that kid is…” Hilary was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

  “Yeah, she gets that from me,” Olivia grinned.

  “Amira? That’s different.”

  Climbing out of bed, Olivia smiled. “Yeah, it’s Moroccan. Her dad…it was a brief thing, very brief, like one night…but, I dunno.” She shrugged. “I guess I just wanted her to have something, ya know?”

  Hilary nodded. “Yeah, I get it.”

  ~MB~

  Cynthia was in her element, beating eggs and frying bacon. Gracie was standing on a step stool, handing the bread to her grandmother. “Mummy said Hilary was having breakfast with us.”

  “Hilary?” Cynthia smirked to herself. She hadn’t heard Olivia come home; she had just assumed that she had gone to bed alone. How wrong she was.

  Gracie nodded, her dark hair falling around her face. “Yep, they had a sleepover.”

  “Did they?”

  “Yes, they did,” Olivia said, entering the room. She smiled at her mother, who busied herself with the task of turning the bacon. “And before anyone goes getting any ideas in their head, it was just a sleepover.”

  “Whatever you say, dear.” Cynthia smirked. Turning, she held a plate piled with bacon. “I’m just glad that you worked things out. Where is Hilary? Is she staying for breakfast?”

  Olivia took the plate and placed it down on the table. “Yes, she’s just drying her hair.”

  “Mummy, can Hilary come with us to the beach.”

  “You’ll have to ask her,” Olivia said quickly as she took another plate from the cupboard and put out a placing for Hilary.