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As my birthday drew near, I couldn't contain my excitement. Oliver had been acting mysteriously all week, and by Friday, I was practically buzzing with anticipation. Our plan was to drive up to Hudson Brook after work, but Oliver surprised me by swapping our usual sedan for a sleek black limo. I welcomed the change, relishing the added privacy it afforded us.
During lunch, Candice and a few coworkers treated me to a birthday celebration. Beatrice, always aloof, managed a polite birthday wish, though her detachment only added to my growing disillusionment with my job. While I was slowly learning the ins and outs of the PR business, too much of my time was still spent on mundane errands.
Outside the office building, Oliver and Sadie awaited me, with Vlad standing by the limousine. Vlad, ever stoic, greeted me with a nod and a subtle smile. Once inside, Oliver pulled me close, his arm secure around my waist. Had Sadie not been seated opposite us, I was certain I'd be in Oliver's embrace the moment the privacy glass rose. A bouquet of mixed roses adorned the seat beside Sadie, a thoughtful gesture from Oliver.
"Did you have a nice day?" Oliver asked, his voice warm against my ear.
"Yes, my coworkers took me to lunch at Filipos," I replied.
"That Mexican place? I've heard they make great tacos," he remarked.
"They do. You should try it sometime."
While Sadie fiddled with the radio, seemingly oblivious to our conversation, Oliver whispered in my ear, his lips teasing and igniting a familiar fire within me. "I can't wait to get you home," he murmured, eliciting a smile from me, though I willed myself not to dwell on our intimate moments.
"What's your mom serving?" Sadie interrupted.
"Take a guess," I replied with a grin.
She knew me too well and it wouldn’t be hard for her to figure out what was on the menu.
"Chicken Cordon Bleu?" Sadie asked.
I pointed at her. "Bingo. It's my favorite," I confirmed.
"Are Matthew and Finley coming?" She inquired.
"Yes, Matthew left work early, and Finley should be arriving by 6:30. He's taking the train," I explained.
"He could've come with us," Oliver interjected.
"Finley had some work to finish. He's worse than you," I teased, rolling my eyes.
"He knows the importance of running a business," Oliver defended, punctuating his point with a firm kiss that left me breathless.
I rolled my eyes and Sadie looked away as Oliver pressed a hard kiss to my mouth. Traffic was a bit heavy and we rolled into Hudson Brook just before 6 p.m. I couldn’t wait to see my parents since I hadn’t since my graduation two and half months before.
My mother was waiting at the door. She looked great with her wavy auburn hair curled around her face. Some said we looked like twins except her eyes were blue, not hazel. She stepped out as we approached, offering her hand to Oliver before I even introduced them.
“I’m Livia.”
“Oliver Fox. Thank you for inviting me.”
Oliver handed the bouquet of flowers to my mother, who accepted them with a radiant smile. I could tell she was charmed by his gesture. At the door, my stepfather awaited us, and I introduced Oliver to him. Watching them interact, I couldn't help but notice the uncanny similarity in their ages despite Anders being only twelve years older than Oliver.
Anders, with his dark brown hair sprinkled with little gray and his handsome face almost devoid of wrinkles, greeted us warmly. Hugs were exchanged all around before we were ushered out to the screened-in patio off the kitchen, where Matthew was already seated.
Mylar "Happy Birthday" balloons danced in the breeze from the overhead fan, adding to the festive atmosphere. My mother had laid out a spread of appetizers, including mini quiches, another favorite of mine. As we settled in, the inquisition commenced, with my parents bombarding Oliver with question after question, to which he graciously responded.
Finley arrived just before seven, his gaze assessing Oliver with suspicion. I hoped he wouldn't be hostile, but within minutes, they were engrossed in conversation, bonding over discussions about software. Oliver's expertise in the field, stemming from his ownership of a small company specializing in educational software, seemed to impress Finley.
Meanwhile, Sadie hung on Finley's every word, though she likely had little understanding of the technical jargon. As they conversed, their interaction took on an intimate tone, sparking a curiosity within me. Was there something more between them? I pondered the question silently, resisting the urge to voice my thoughts.
Dinner was served by my parents, featuring chicken cordon bleu accompanied by sautéed green beans and lemon pasta. Despite the heaviness of the meal for such a hot night, I savored every bite. Leaning back in my chair, a sense of contentment washed over me as I basked in the warmth of family and love on my special day.
"I'm stuffed," I declared, leaning back in my chair.
"No room for dessert?" Oliver teased.
