AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’ll find a way, Parker. One day at a time. Together.”
“That’s my girl. I love you and you love me and together we will make this work.” Parker yawns and stretches his arm to the sky.
“I’ll let you go. I know you must be exhausted. It’s been a long day for you. Go get some rest.”
“Okay babe. I’ll give you a call in the morning. Good luck tomorrow, Livy. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Night.”
We end the call and I roll over onto my side, waves of apprehension fluttering through me. My life has never been better and never been more stressful, all at the same time.
Nineteen
Olivia
“Thanks for holding down the fort this weekend.” Ellie glances up from the stem she is shearing with her floral clippers and shrugs.
“I was more than happy to. It was totally fine, Olivia. Leah and I had it under control. No problemo. You know, Leah wants to work more, and we should be taking advantage of that. We can’t always be here, and we know we can trust her.”
“You’re right, I know. It’s just been the two of us for so long, it’s hard sometimes to make changes.”
“Well, get used to it. I assume now that you are Parker’s love slave, he will be wanting to whisk you away more often.”
“God Ells, you make my relationship sound super sexy.” I shake my head and continue reviewing the orders that need to be completed for the day.
“Are you ready for today? What’s the plan once your dad is released?”
“We are going back to my mom’s for dinner. I don’t expect to stay too long. Seeing as he is moving back in with her after all these years, I think they will need some time to feel comfortable around each other. They have a lot they need to sort out, and that’s an understatement.”
“I think you are right about that. I also think it’s best that you ease in to being a part of your dad’s life again.” Ellie moves around the large table to grab floral foam for the arrangement she is working on. “Kate seems to be handling it well. Did you hear that she went to another speed dating event again this past weekend? I swear that girl will never learn. She said one of the guys brought his mom with him – she had a binder and was taking notes the entire time. She had an actual notebook with colored tabs to keep track of all the women. But that wasn’t even the worst part! He still lives with his mom in a two-bedroom apartment. Kate said he is in his late thirties! Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Stop it! I can’t take it. She’d be better off trying to find her future husband at a gay bar,” I tease at my sister’s expense.
“I’ll spare you the details about the guy who came after him who smelt like brie cheese. We need to save her, Liv. We can no longer stand by and watch this train wreck.”
Ellie and I spend the rest of the morning filling orders and helping walk-in clients choose the perfect gift. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I expect it to be Parker, considering he’d already texted and called me more times than I can count.
I check the text and am surprised to see that it’s not from Parker. It’s from Jules and she would like to meet for lunch. Something tells me Parker has put his sister up to this considering the timing. It’s his way of being there for me even though he’s hundreds of miles away. It’s thoughtful of him and I’m touched by the gesture. I send her a quick text back and let her know I can meet for a quick one. She replies with an offer to come my way to make it easier for me. We decide to meet at the coffee shop right down the street from Bloom at noon.
It’s five after twelve when I rush through the door of the café and find Jules already seated at a table by the window. She stands and greets me with a hug.
“Thank you for having lunch with me, Olivia. I was looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday for yoga but I’m really happy I get to see you a little sooner.”
“Me too, Jules. Thanks for inviting me. I don’t often get out for a real lunch, so this is a treat. How have you been?”
“I’ve been great. Busy with work, nothing exciting. Alex was away at a conference all weekend, so I spent some time with Miles. He’s leaving soon for his vacation before he starts filming so it was nice to get some extra time with him.”
“I love your relationship with your brothers, the love you have for one another.” I unfold my napkin, laying it across my lap.
“I’m a lucky girl. Not always, though. Dating in high school was pretty much impossible with three older brothers.”
“I can only imagine.”
The waitress takes our orders, but only after going on and on about Jules being related to the Miles Bennett. I think she might be the head of his fan club. I think she might also have his face tattooed on her back. Maybe a shrine to him in her living room? Just a guess.
“Does that happen often? She was intense.”
“It does. Reed Point is a pretty small town, especially when your brother is a celebrity. I’m used to it.”
