We find a corner with four tufted brown leather armchairs. There is a table in the center with bottles of bourbon, rye, and single malt whiskey.
It doesn’t take us long to settle in. Both my father and Ollie have cigars; I settle for some Montredor 1798 Reserve.
“How is it?” Ollie asks.
“Smooth,” I reply. I have so many questions for Noelle. Like, why are you working for Prestige Partners? Yes, I know she said she and her father had shared some differences. But still, why?
“I always loved that about you, Son; you make smart decisions. Noelle is a smart decision,” my father states as he cuts the cap of the cigar.
I wait for the guilt of lying to wash over me, but nothing happens.
“Yes, she was a good decision,” I reply, thinking about all the joy she has brought to the house thus far.
Ollie leans his head back and puffs white smoke into the air.
“I got to ask. How are you dealing with Liam and Tessa getting married?”
“I was upset at first. I thought that Liam was disloyal, but Noelle showed me that none of that really matters.”
Ollie nods. “Impressive. I would have knocked his ass out. You never feel the need to K.O. him?”
I snicker. “All the time. You too.”
“You wish. Whenever you’re ready, try it.”
My father laughs. “It’s nice to have you kids home.”
“It’s good to be home,” I say. Two weeks ago, I would have argued with that statement. I wanted… What the hell did I want? To make Tessa jealous? Want her to realize that Liam was a mistake, and I was the best man for her? To not look like a loser? This trip and Noelle were an impulsive decision that I’d never make. But I am happy that I did.
“Let’s finish up, and then we are out,” my dad says.
NOELLE
Tillie is the best person to window-shop with. Our motto for each store: what we see, we like, we buy.
With bags in my hands, I got the sweaters for Roman and myself. I don’t know if he will like it, but it doesn’t matter.
I got gag gifts and Christmas gifts for everyone except Roman. I don’t know what to get him. Until finally, I find a silver and gold Jaguar statue.
As the guy wraps it up, I look at Tillie. “You think he would like it?”
“I think he would love it.” She smiles.
With the gift in hand, we exit the store.
I wanted to get Roman a gift with meaning, but I didn’t know what.
Just as I was about to give up, I saw a Retro Toy Store.
“Wait here for me, Tillie,” I say while crossing the road and dashing into the store.
Pushing the door open, I hear NSYNC’s song “Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy),” playing in the background. Yup, I came to the right store.
A woman with light pink hair and a Thundercats T-shirt comes out with a huge smile on her face.
“Hi, welcome to Retro. How can I help you?”
I take my phone out and Google what I am looking for. “Do you have this?”
