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“It’s good to be here. Thanks, Erin.”
“Don’t forget you have a meeting with your father and Liam at two o’clock.”
“Got it, I’ll be there.”
I lock myself in my office. I have a lot of work to get done if I’m going to sneak away with Livy for the weekend.
I skim through my emails for anything urgent before calling Jordan. He’s been good about not emailing and texting me too often. He seems to be managing well on his own, which is making this a good trial run for when I leave the NYC hotel permanently. He’s proving he is capable of taking over there.
There’s an email from Nelson wanting to set up a meeting with the architect in three weeks and go over a few design issues before the construction starts. It reminds me that I don’t have a lot of time here with Livy. There’s a pit in my stomach all of a sudden at the thought of leaving. I need to stop thinking about that and get back to work.
I shoot Nelson an email letting him know my arrival date in three weeks and the rest of my morning is spent reviewing the development plans for Cape May. The project is running smoothly and on schedule, thanks in large part to a great team that I know I can count on.
The day flies by. It’s four o’clock and I’ve wrapped up my last conference call. I spent a good part of my day running numbers with my father and now my brain hurts, and my eyes are sore. I’ll put in another hour at the office before I go home to shower and change to pick up Livy.
My phone vibrates on my desk and I check the screen. It’s a text from Livy. I open it immediately, feeling like a giddy high schooler.
OLIVIA: The chocolates are sweet Parker, but not as sweet as you. I’m feeling pretty spoiled. Thank you xx
I text her back right away.
ME: I’m happy you like them. I miss you btw. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock. My mom is excited to see you. xo
I watch the dots on my screen bounce as she’s typing out her response.
OLIVIA: I miss you too ;)
I lean back in my chair, my hands clasped behind my neck. Images of Livy float through my mind: her sweet smile, sexy eyes and tanned olive skin.
I can’t help but smile. I think I might be winning her over.
Thirteen
Olivia
I transfer the freshly baked peanut butter cookies that have been cooling on a rack in my kitchen onto a serving plate. My mother taught my sister and I to never show up for a dinner empty-handed, so I rushed back to my apartment after work and got started on the cookies. Ellie is here helping me, she insisted on it. I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m a flight risk and may possibly try to cancel on dinner tonight. She’s definitely in full support of Parker and I dating.
In my rush, half the cookies slide off of the plate and I frantically rearrange them, so they look somewhat presentable.
“Olivia, relax. You’ve got time. I don’t know why you are acting so fidgety. You are just going for dinner at the Bennetts’ and you’ve known them most of your life. It’s going to be fine. And besides, it’s hardly torture hanging out with all of those pretty faces. I’ve always wondered - do you think they sit around talking about how good looking they all are? I mean, with each other?”
“I don’t really want to know what happens in your brain, Ellie, because it seems like a scary place to be. Did you just hear yourself? You are ridiculous.”
“What? They’re all so damn hot. It’s not normal. What do they eat? Do you think it could be something they eat?”
“I’m not even answering that.” I roll my eyes and swat her with my tea towel.
“Listen Liv, I’ve been your best friend for a gazillion years. I know you. I haven’t seen you this happy in a very long time and Parker is clearly into you. Like, really into you, and it almost makes me envious. I mean, if I was actually into all that romance crap and wanted the same hot guy in my bed every night.” Ellie shakes her head, crossing her eyes in a silly face. “Seriously, he’s been so sweet to you and he really is trying. Don’t overthink this like we both know you tend to do with everything in your life.”
“I know, you’re right Ells. I’ve just fallen so hard for him and I’m really scared to lose him again.” My eyes look to the floor, feeling the weight of my confession. Admitting that out loud to Ellie feels like a big deal to me.
Ellie places her hand on my forearm.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He feels the same way, Liv. I know it. Just be yourself tonight. And if you really need me to bust you out of there, slip into the bathroom and text me our exit word ‘Pineapple.’ I’ve been working on new material ever since Kate began her speed dating escapades. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before one of the speed dater whack-a-dos insists on pulling out his joystick too soon and I need to bust her out of her date.”
“Joystick? Again, Ells Bells, your brain scares me sometimes.”
“Really Liv, Do I need to spell it out for you?” Ellie motions an alarmingly obscene hand gesture.
