“Of course, I’ll pay you. I know you said you’re working on a gardening app.”
Olivia nods. “I am, but it’s been stalled by everything going on. I need to learn a few other coding things to get it where I want it. Lane…” She looks up at me. “Ummm… One of Victor’s security guys is going to teach me, but like I said with everything going on, we haven’t had a chance.” Ansley steps forward and touches her wrist.
“It’s going to take some time to get this up and running, so if you’ll consider it,” Ansley says.
Olivia nods. “Yeah, of course. We can set up an appointment or something.” Ansley smiles and claps her hands as she looks between Lincoln and Olivia.
“This is really happening,” she says to Lincoln.
He smirks at her and wraps his arm around her waist, then pulls her close. Olivia glances from them back to me. There’s alook of sadness that flashes in her eyes so quickly I’m not sure if I’ve imagined it.
“Thank you for driving me to work. I’ll see you later.”
Olivia walks away, and into the already open elevator before I can say anything. I watch her closely, but she doesn’t look at me again before the door closes. A knot forms in my gut.
“We’re going to come by your pub today for lunch,” Lincoln says. I nod absentmindedly, unable to keep my thoughts from trailing back to Olivia.
“Alright, I’ll see you two later.” They walk to the elevator, probably going to take it down to the parking garage as I walk over to James.
“Have you noticed anything unusual lately?” I ask him.
He shakes his head. “No, not since the flowers were sent last week.” James glances around. “Since the events of the past couple of weeks, Malachi has sent a few other Outsiders to keep watch as well.” I nod, even though I’m not sure of the specifics. I’m assuming it has to do with whatever had Malachi all riled up the day he came to the pub. With a nod, I turn to leave.
“Hey,” James calls out to me and I turn around. “I’d put a label on whatever you have going on with Olivia.”
I squint at him as I try to decipher his meaning. “It is labeled,” I tell him.
He nods, but the doubt is evident in his eyes. “Does she know that?” he asks.
I pat my pocket where the box is that she gave me.Doesn’t she know that?
I sit in my office, holding the bracelet Olivia gave to me as a present. The bracelet is black leather, similar to the one I already have. It’s morse code like the one I got her, and saysLove You Big. Just like the ring she got me and the bracelet I got her. I read the small card that was inside the box again.
This time I used my own money. This time it means more. Love, Olivia
Is that why she didn’t want me to open it in front of her because of what the card says? Is this her telling me she loves me?I think back to what James said, then the past several months. I have tried fighting my feelings for her. And I’ve tried denying this is more, but it is more. So much more.
There’s a knock on my office door. “Yeah, come in,” I say distractedly.
The hostess for today walks in. “Mr. Valentine, there’s a couple here that’s asking for you.”
I nod, and she walks out. Putting the bracelet on, I take a picture of it, then send Olivia a text message.
Victor: I love it. Thank you.
I wait for a few minutes to see if she’s going to respond. When she doesn’t, I exhale slowly and walk out into the hallway to go to the restaurant. I already know it’s Lincoln and Ansley before I see them, so I step behind the bar and greet them.
“How did things go this morning?” I ask them and hand them two menus.
Ansley smiles widely as she looks from Lincoln to me. “I think we found the space I want. It’s close to where Julian and Bailey’s office will be. I’m going to see if Bec will help me decorate it. If Liv will help with the website and app, I’m sure I can have it open in less than a year.”
Olivia has mentioned the gardening app she’s been working on. She talks about it along with gardening a lot in the journalshe keeps and shares with me. Grant is supposed to be picking up all the supplies for her to begin planting and gardening at the house. I should have done that sooner. Lincoln pushes the menu away.
“What do you recommend?” he asks.
Ansley looks at me expectantly. “Liv said the pretzel rolls here were amazing.”
Smiling, I nod. “Those are her favorite,” I say. “The grilled chicken salad is good. The grilled chicken is great.” I glance at Lincoln. “So is the steak.”
