Second Chances

Second Chances

The sun poured through the bedroom window, signaling the arrival of morning. Their legs intertwined as they continued to writhe and moan, the lovemaking session far from ending.

It had been six months since Olivia and Riley had first begun seeing each other. What began as an accidental meet-cute in the local supermarket had now grown into a passionate love affair.

Soulmates might be one way to describe it.

Olivia Bennett, still in college, had grown up in an extremely conservative household, leading a regimented life. This new relationship had opened up a whole world she had never imagined: love, genuine connection, and an insatiable hunger for intimacy—an appetite she had only just discovered. These were the gifts Riley Morgan had brought into her life.

Riley was what some might call a free spirit. With freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks, the local artist had an infectious smile that warmed Olivia to the bottom of her heart.

Breathlessly, Olivia whispered into Riley’s ear, “I love you.” It was the first time she had said it to anyone other than her parents. She blushed in anticipation of Riley’s response, her acknowledgment.

Nuzzling Olivia’s neck, planting one soft kiss after the other, Riley whispered back, “I love you too.” The smile on her face broadened. She herself couldn’t believe how well this relationship was progressing. Riley, who had come out as a teenager, felt a quiet pride seeing the usually uptight Olivia express her love. It warmed her heart, knowing how much this meant to Olivia, who had been raised in such a repressive environment.

It broke Riley’s heart when she thought about the repressive environment Olivia had grown up in. The level of control that her parents had—well, still had, if she was being honest—over her life decisions was a mindset that Riley still struggled to understand.

Knowing that, Riley did not push her in the relationship, nor did she want to force Olivia to ‘come out’ to her parents or society. Riley knew how nerve-racking it could be to reveal your sexual orientation to others, and that was in a supportive environment. She couldn’t even begin to imagine what it might be like coming out to Olivia’s parents.

“What do you want for breakfast?” Olivia asked, her voice lazy with contentment. “This!” Riley grinned, kissing her way down to Olivia’s core. Olivia giggled, “Stop, please. It has nothing more to give today.” She grabbed Riley’s head and pulled her back up, capturing her soft lips in a deep kiss. “Although this isn’t a bad entrée.”

Their makeout session lasted for another 5 minutes before they finally got out of bed and into the shower. Olivia, who’d exited the shower first called out, “What’s on for you today?” while she looked at her phone.

“Just going to the studio.” Sticking her head out the bathroom door, “I’m feeling inspired to paint today,” she laughed.

Looking at the message on her phone, Olivia replied, “Mmmm.”

Riley walked up from behind and wrapped her arms around Olivia’s waist. The scent of their freshly cleaned skin filled the other’s senses. “What are you looking at?”

“Message from my parents,” Olivia frowned. “They’re asking me to go back for dinner tonight. Michael will be there.”

Michael Keeth. He was in his late 20s, recently completing college and had entered the business world already. Their parents had known each other for a long time, and determined that their children were ‘suitable’ for each other. Thus they had been ‘engaged’ since Olivia was sixteen.

There was nothing official. Just a tacit agreement between the parents. Olivia had only met Michael a few times while growing up and had no real opinion on the matter before. She usually went along with her parents’ arrangements. After meeting Riley, though, she was struggling. She wanted to tell her parents that she didn’t want this engagement, that she didn’t even like men. She just didn’t know how.

She also feared the potential repercussions of how her family might react. It terrified her.

“It’s fine,” said Riley. “Message them back. Tell them you’ll be there.”

A tear started to roll down Olivia’s cheek as she spun around to face her. “How can you be so understanding? I really do love you, Riley Morgan.”

Kissing her on the tip of Olivia’s delicate nose, “I love you too! Now reply. Then we’ll go get some proper breakfast,” Riley grinned.