Olivia's POV
I stood outside on the balcony for a long time, gulping in the night air like a drowning person finally breaking the surface. My hands were still shaking, my pulse still racing from Maxwell's touch on my neck.
Eventually, I forced myself to take deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Just like Kira taught me.
You can do this, Olivia. Just go back in there, make your excuses, and escape to your room.
When I finally felt steady enough to move, I pushed open the doors and stepped back into the living room.
The guys were still there, casually sipping their drinks like they hadn't just put me through the most stressful hour of my life. They looked up when I entered, but nobody said anything immediately.
Then Maxwell spoke, "Oliver, you don't have to rejoin us if you don't want to. If you're tired, you can head up to your room. The guys and I will continue and retire late."
I could have kissed him. Well, again. But this time out of pure gratitude.
