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[assassinrue]

Phillip stood, fetch the shirt and the tooth brush and gave them to her. There was no need to show her the bathroom. "Both the towels on there have just been washed in case you want to shower.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia nodded and walked to the bathroom with the shirt and toothbrush in hand. The door closed, and a few seconds later the shower turned on. She took a quick shower, and five minutes later she stepped out with his shirt on and her wet hair brushing her shoulders.

[assassinrue]

Phillip grinned. "You're lovely." He traded with her and went into the bathroom to shower.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia smiled faintly and went to sit down on the bed. The thought of staying here, of spending the night with him, made he feel like less of a horrible person somehow. This felt right, as wrong as it was.

[assassinrue]

When Phillip emerged, just in a pair of boxers, he wrapped himself around her. "Merlin, I love you." He wondered how many times he had said that tonight and how many more times he might say it.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia didn't respond, because there was nothing she could say. Instead, she snuggled against him and pulled the covers over them.

[assassinrue]

It took Phillip a while to fall asleep, resisting the urge to close his eyes so he could enjoy her in his arms for an extra few minutes.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia stayed awake for a long time, memorizing the way his body felt against hers, his arms holding her close. What if every night could be like this? What would she give up to be with him? More importantly, what could she live with asking him to give up? Eventually, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her under.

[assassinrue]

(should his wife walk in now?)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Sure. That'll work)

[assassinrue]

Phillip woke up to the sound of his front door opening. What? He shook Olivia's shoulder to wake her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Mmm, what is it?" Olivia murmured. It took her a second to remember where she was, and when she did she snuggled closer to him. "Good morning."

[assassinrue]

"Good morning." He whispered holding her close. "I think someone is in the house."

Before he could say any more, Dawn walked into the room she stopped in the doorway and sneered. "I thought so."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia sat up abruptly, jerking out of his arms. "Dawn! I thought you were gone." She was flustered for a few seconds, but quickly pulled herself together and wiped her face blank. She climbed out of the bed and cleared her throat. "What are you doing back early?"

[assassinrue]

Dawn cocked an eyebrow. "Please, don't get up for me. I forgot my pair of dress shoes." She fetched her shoes then turned to leave. "Please, continue whatever it was you were doing. It's really not like I care." And with that she left.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia gaped a bit before turning to look at Phil. "What... just happened?"

[assassinrue]

"I believe my wife just confirmed that she thought I was having an affair and she doesn't care and will continue to be gone the next few days." He sounded as surprised as her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I'm sorry, Phil, I have to go now. I can't stick around after that." Olivia gathered her clothes and hurried to get dressed.

[assassinrue]

Phillip just watched her go. He knew the moment his wife walked in the bedroom door, Liv would leave.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia apologized to him before hurrying out the door. She got into her car and held herself together until she got home, whereupon she started crying. She always said she didn't believe in crying, and there was only one person who could make her do so.