Chapter 12
Rafael Barba sat in the back of the cab anxiously. He had fully intended on not going to the party and making up an excuse until Carisi had stopped by his office that morning. “Come on Barba it’s her birthday. You can take the night off.” Carisi had pleaded with the other man. Somehow, he had been successful because he was now sitting in the back of a cab with a bottle of his favourite scotch, a bottle of wine that he hoped Rollins would like, and a sweater that he really hoped she liked because when it came to women’s fashion he was sort of clueless despite always dressing himself well. It wasn’t that he had anything against Rollins, actually he had always quite liked her, but he knew that Olivia would be at the party. For the past six months he had managed to not see her and while he would never admit it there had been times at the courthouse he had slipped into a staircase of the men’s washroom when she was down the hall. He hated that he was acting like a child but he also did not want to come face to face with his ex.
Rollins apartment was already full of people when Barba got there which wasn’t surprising because he was nearly an hour late. Rollins opened the door with a large smile, “Counsellor, you came.”
“Of course,” he replied and held out the bottle of wine and package.
“You got me a present?”
“That is what one tends to do for birthdays,” he replied dryly. “If you don’t like it I put the gift receipt in there too.”
Barba did a quick scan of the apartment on his way to the kitchen to get a glass for his scotch and he saw Olivia. The Lieutenant was standing near the window dressed in a knee-length black dress. She was chatting to a couple police officers that Barba recognized and next to her was Alexandra Cabot. Barba forced his eyes away and poured himself a glass of scotch. Luckily, a moment later Carisi arrived and began to talk Barba’s ear off about the work that he had been doing in homicide the last few months. Barba, glad for the distraction, didn’t feel annoyed by Carisi’s enthusiasm for once.
Part way through the party Barba slipped onto the balcony for some fresh air. He had managed to avoid Olivia the entire night which, considering no one knew that they had been dating and then broke up, proved to be a bit difficult at times but not impossible. Barba leaned on the balcony railing and looked out onto the city when a voice startled him, “Hey,” he turned to see Olivia standing in the doorway. “Mind if I join you?” Barba shrugged and the woman stepped it onto the patio. “How have you been?”
“Good,” Barba replied flatly. “You?”
“Good.” Several moments passed between them. “I … it’s been weird not having you around.”
“Look, Liv. I came to help Rollins celebrate her birthday not to … I don’t know hash out every detail of our failed relationship.” He turned to head back into the apartment but Olivia’s hand on his elbow stopped him.
“Raf …” Olivia’s voice almost broke. “I’m sorry.”
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2016
“I’m sorry.” Barba backed away from Olivia with his hands up. “That was so inappropriate.” For months, years even, he had found himself thinking about kissing her so many times but he had always known he couldn’t cross that line. He wasn’t sure what happened that night. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the several glasses of wine they had shared over dinner. He wasn’t sure if it was because she confided in him that her relationship with Tucker had ended nearly two months ago. He wasn’t sure what it was but when he had walked her to her door she had hugged him goodbye. She felt warm in his arms despite the snow that was falling around them. As the started to disengage Barba found himself pressing his lips against hers. The next moment he jumped away and started to apologize.
“Relax.” Olivia moved towards him. “It’s okay.” She took his hands into hers and smiled. “Really, it’s fine.” This time it was Olivia who put her lips on his.