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“Hey beautiful, it’s good to see you,” he says through a smile, pulling me into a warm hug. “Are you heading into the shop today?”
“I am, but I’m not staying. I’m here to load up the van for an event.”
“Is it just you today? Where’s Ellie?”
“Ellie was supposed to be here, but she has come down with a case of Montezuma’s revenge. It’s pretty gross!”
“Well, why don’t I help you load up the van? I don’t mind. I have nowhere to be until later this afternoon.”
“You know what, I’ll take you up on that offer. Besides it will be nice to catch up with you.” Jace follows me in and we head to the large coolers in the back of the shop, stopping to say hi to Leah, who works for us part time and when we have big events.
“These are beautiful, Olivia,” Jace picks up the first arrangement and follows me out back to the van. “What’s today’s event?”
“It’s the Bennetts’ 40th anniversary party at their estate.”
“Whoah, whoah back it up… are you talking about who I think you’re talking about? The infamous ex?”
“Stop it, Jace. That is not what I need right now. A little less talking and a little more work from you would be great.”
“Oh, I see I hit a nerve.” He chuckles as we make our way back to the van with another armful of flowers.
“Ughh, you are impossible. Let’s talk about you. What’s the latest?” I ask, trying my best to steer the conversation in a new direction.
“Oh, you know, living the dream. Work is busy, love life is not. I’m back on the market, Olivia, now’s your chance.” He smirks and wraps his arm around my shoulder as we head back for the last two centerpieces.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Jace.” I laugh and push him away playfully. “What happened to Alexa? I thought things were going good between the two of you. I liked her, Jace. She was good for you.”
“She wasn’t the one, so I figured I shouldn’t drag it out any longer. It wasn’t fair to either of us, so I broke it off. I think she knew as well that we weren’t each other’s ‘person.’ She took it pretty well.”
“I get that. And for what it’s worth, I think you did the right thing. Now we need to find you a new girl.” They don’t come better than Jace and I often wondered why I never felt anything other than friendship towards him. He’s smart, driven and handsome but I’ve just never felt that spark with him. “Thanks again for the help. I really appreciate it.”
I walk Jace to the front door and give him a hug, then call goodbye to Leah before heading out to the delivery van. I take one last look in the small mirror in my visor and pull the van from its parking spot.
My heart is pounding as I turn into the Bennett property twenty minutes later. It feels like a lifetime ago that I last drove this boulevard, still lined with tall emerald green hedges. The iron gates are open, leading me down the crushed stone driveway. I remembered the feeling I used to get walking toward those large wooden doors with Parker after school most days.
A long time ago, this place was peace for me. It was warmth. It was the security I needed to feel when my home life was chaos. The Bennett house and the people within it would envelop me with love and comfort. Parker brought me here each day to give me that reprieve. He knew just what I needed.
Some days were spent swimming in the pool and others were spent on the large down feather sectional watching movies while his mother spoiled us with her baked treats.
Some days we would sneak away to the guest house that was nestled towards the back of the property. We couldn’t keep our hands off of each other. We were magnetic.
Like a moth to a flame.
I can’t ever get enough of you, he would say as he rained kisses all over me. I fell hard in his arms and only he could catch me.
He was my first in more ways than one and I have searched for that desire, that need, ever since. Searched, but never found it.
I nervously walk up the stairs to the front door, feeling my heart pound in my chest. I ring the doorbell and wait, anxiously fiddling with the hem of my sweater when the door suddenly opens to Mrs. Bennett. Happiness and warmth radiate back at me.
“Olivia, doll. Thank you for coming. I am so happy to see you.” She pulls me into her slender arms, wrapping me in a hug.
I can tell she is doing what she can to put my racing pulse at ease. “Come with me. I’ll show you where the arrangements should go. Cocktails and dinner will be served outside.”
She leads me through the open grand foyer to the back of the house, through the kitchen and the great room. It is as beautiful as I remembered. The accordion windows are pulled open, allowing a perfect view of the meticulously set long tables by the pool. They are draped in white linen tablecloths with rows of candles of different heights. I can imagine how pretty their glow will be at night under the dark sky. There are tall heaters spaced around the tables to keep guests warm and the grounds and flower beds appear to have been freshly manicured. There are caterers, bartenders and others milling around.
“Everything looks so beautiful. Your guests are going to love it.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” She beams.
