The Reunion •Daryl Dixon• •Book Two•

Eight

No one spoke, no one even moved. Not even the floor beneath Olivia to suck her in which she was hoping for. It was as if someone took the words from her mouth.

Olivia barely blinked, she stared at Daryl, his hair was darker  and a little longer now, he had filled out and in a good way, he too stared back both taking in the sight of one another, they hadnt noticed Rick and Lori had stepped outside with Carl to leave them to it.

"How are ya?" He asked, his voice was a lot dryer and huskier than usual, he must share the dry mouth she had. Swallowing hard she stood up and quickly went to wrap her arms around him but then stopped herself, after all it had been a long time since she had been in this town after leaving the way she did, but Daryl didnt look like he didnt want her to hug him, he himself held his arms out and pulled her into a strong embrace.

It felt different to when they were younger, as she had her arms around him she felt the defined muscles in his back, he seemed taller too. It felt like old times, she nearly playfully nudged Daryl's hands to her lower back as he used to love tickling it but then she remembered why it had been so long and why they didnt hug anymore.

Reluctantly breaking the hug Olivia quickly and shyly sat back down, her legs felt like jelly after that. Daryl pulled the chair from underneath the table and joined her "well?" He reminded her of his previous question "i've been alright, not great but ive been fine" she smiled wearily. She kicked herself inside, why could she not have lied and said she was fantastic and hadnt thought about him everyday since she had left? "Same" he replied. They sat in a very awkward silence, from the corner of her eyes she could see Rick and Lori sneakily trying to peer in the glass doors at them.

"Im sorry for taking off like I did" she spoke turning her attention back to Daryl, "i just had to go" she added, Daryl didnt look appreciative of her reason but it was true, at the time she had to go there and then "I had to try and get over you" she added with a sigh, she knew in the five years since leaving she had done nothing but think of Daryl. "Lori missed you" he replied sounding disappointed in her "we all did, I know we divorced but I still gave a shit" he added, Olivia blushed, she knew at the time taking off like that was the wrong thing to do, to just start over somewhere else all alone but she also never intended on returning.

"So" Daryl began but instantly paused "did you move on?" He asked playing with one of the coasters on the dining table and not looking at Olivia. Did she tell him that she hadnt really moved on and had been sleeping with a married man since she left? "No, i'm on my own at the minute" she lied, she wasnt even sure if Daryl believed her, he used to know when she wasnt herself and right now she wasnt being it "you?" She asked. In her head she was praying he wasnt, but he was too good a guy to be single. She didnt even hear his response as Carl came charging in calling Daryl brandishing his soccer ball wanting him to play. Lori followed after and gave an apologetic look for interrupting them.

"Wow is that the time? I should be getting back, i'll see you around" Olivia lied looking at her bracelets, she didnt wear her watch today and hoped no one noticed she wasnt but she had to leave, all of a sudden it had gotten weird being here and she remembered why she left in the first place, she had to leave this life behind.

She gave Lori an awkward hug, she wasnt impressed Olivia was coming and going like this after coming back in the first place, followed by a firm hug from Rick and some stupid went-to-hug-but-didnt-went-to-kiss-but-didnt-awkward-handshake-thing with Daryl. 

Olivia quickly darted out the house, put her sunglasses on and went to her car "why did you even come back? Why didnt you just stay shopping?" She moaned aloud to herself "Liv!" She knew whose voice that belonged to and it took her back to highschool a time when she believed in romance. It called her again and she turned to face Daryl "where are you now? Like you living back in town?" He seemed genuinely interested "im visiting the next town over with my friend" she lied, its not as if Negan was her boyfriend or would be hurt by her saying that "do you want to grab a coffee or something tomorrow?" He suggested nervously with his hands in his pockets. "Yea, id love that" she smiled, he looked like he did when he used to ask if she wanted to come to his after school "you can fill me in on whats happened since i left" she added "im glad they made it" she smiled pointing to Rick and Lori's house, Daryl turned to look and nodded "wish we had though" they both sighed in unison making them look at one another, feeling even more awkward Olivia got in her car and turned the engine on, rolling down her window she went to say bye to Daryl "see you got another sports car" he spoke after whistling at its beauty "remember? I'm Paris Hilton" she joked. "Whats your number? Ill message you about tomorrow" she asked and he lent in her car window to grab the pen she had in a cup holder and grabbed her hand and wrote his digits down.

"You look amazing Olivia" he spoke handing her back the pen "thanks, you do too" she replied.

She really didnt want to drive off but she had too. She now couldnt wait for coffee the next day!