Chapter Text
Now or never.
You dipped into Olivia’s office before you could chicken out or some case could take over the attention span. All morning, during your routine, you’d affirmed with Rafael that now was the best time. You wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already had his chat and was texting you how well it went. No way you could respond with the refusal to hold up your end of the bargain.
“Hi, can I chat to you for a second?” You said quietly.
“Sure, what’s up?” Olivia gestured to one of the empty chairs opposite her desk.
As she closed her laptop lid, you closed the door.
“For professional reasons, I need to disclose that Rafael and I are in a relationship. We’ve been dating for three months and made it official two weeks ago. He’s telling Jack McCoy today too.”
Olivia studied you for one second, two, then she did something you had imagine in your most anxious part of your commute. She snorted, her head tilting back as she shook with mildly suppressed laughter.
“Okay, really?” She said, her smile incredulous.
“What?” You said, a little defensively.
“I’m not that gullible.”
“Olivia-”
“Right before midday too? You must be desperate,” Olivia swept up and opened her office door again, “Nice try. Go on.”
Oh shit, the date. April 1st.
“This isn’t a joke,” You stood quickly but she held her hand up to you, still smiling.
“No, I can’t even consider it a terrible one. But A for effort, I needed that laugh.”
She was still chuckling to herself as, shell-shocked, you made your way back to your chair. Should you be upset by this? That she thought you would pull such a ridiculous stunt as a prank made you feel a sinking in your stomach, especially since she had been the one to convince you to put yourself out (which led to Rafael making a move before you could even create a dating profile).
“What was that about?” Amanda asked, hardly looking up from her laptop.
Letting out a huff of resignation, you debated discussing it with Amanda. But you’d only mentioned going to Olivia to Rafael today.You’d done your due diligence. You didn’t have to disclose to anyone else you didn’t want to, and right now you didn't want to.
“Nothing.” You checked your mobile. One message:
McCoy is fine with it. How’d it go with Olivia? x