#Chapter 52: Fragments of a Distant Connection

Olivia I was reading on the porch when I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. When I looked up, I saw the familiar figure of Nathan walking up the driveway. He had his hands in his pockets and his shoulders were slumped, and as he looked at me I could see a tinge of sadness in his eyes. “Hey,” I said, snapping my book shut. “Everything alright?” Nathan said nothing for a moment, his blue-green eyes searching my face before he nodded in the direction of the little strip of beach behind the villa. “Olivia,” he murmured, his voice sounding weary. “Walk with me.” A little part of me wanted to refuse the offer after our last argument was still left unreconciled, but it pained me to see my friend like this. “Sure,” I said quietly, nodding. Nathan’s expression seemed to soften a bit. I set my book down and offered him a gentle smile as I walked down the steps to join him. We made our way around the house, to the little stretch of beach that laid at the back of the prop