“I’ve been around you constantly for almost over two months. I’d have to be an idiot not to notice how kind and responsible you are. Plus, you’re driven and a self-starter. You’re passionate. He’s going to be chomping at the bit to hire you. Just take a deep breath and go show him how incredible you are.”
She lets out a deep sigh. “You’re right. He would be lucky to have me.”
“That’s my girl!”
“But how do I show him all those sides of me just over dinner?” Again, I can hear the self-doubt in her voice, and I want nothing more than to wrap her up in my arms so she can physically feel how much I care for her, how much I think the world of her. If only she could see herself the way I see her.
“Just be yourself. Your passion, your drive, your competence, they all shine through just in the way you talk and the way you carry yourself.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m positive. You’re going to crush it. Believe in yourself.”
“Thank you.”
The second I hang up, Mandi steps into the foyer. She was definitely listening. I can see a touch of sorrow on her face. I’m sure it stings a bit to hear I was Olivia’s first call and not her. That’s her baby girl, her best friend.
Instantly, I try to defend Olivia. “She just called me because I helped her get in touch with Chance.”
Mandi gives me a half-hearted smile, rubbing my arm. “It’s okay. She would kill me for saying this, but I can tell she’s falling for you. This is just how it is when your kids grow up. They start to create their own lives, their own families. I’m just happy to be included in the ways I am.”
I try to push past the part where Mandi said Olivia is falling for me because if I think about it for too long, I’m going to start dancing around with a stupid smile on my face. I can’t believe I get to be the lucky one that Olivia is falling in love with.
“She adores you, Mandi. I think she’s afraid to express it to you. Iknowshe’s been afraid of somehow being a burden. I just want you to know not to take Olivia’s love for you at face value because it goes so much deeper.”
“Yeah, she’s been like that for a long time. I hope you’ll remember that with her too. When things get hard, she tends to think she has to go through it all alone, that her struggles would cause her loved ones strife. I’ve failed a dozen times at weaseling my way into her life and getting her to accept my help, but maybe you can do better than me. Maybe you can be the one that she finally accepts help from.”
“I should be so lucky.” Again, that earns me another smile. I scratch the back of my head anxiously before asking, “Does Jack know too?”
“It’s so obvious! How blind do you think we are? You two were practically drooling over each other when we played pool the other night, and I saw you holding hands during the fireworks show.” She laughs, and I can immediately feel heat rising to my cheeks. “But I know it would mean the world to Jack if he heard it from you. He thinks of you as a son.”
“I appreciate that. You both have been so incredible to me. You’re the parents I always wanted and needed. Thank you. I’m going to do everything I can to be worthy of Olivia’s love, and quite honestly, yours and Jack’s.”
“Oh, honey. You’ve always been worthy.”
My heart swells. I finally have the love I’ve sought for so long, from both parental figures and an amazing woman. It feels incredible.
I escape back into the living room just in time to catch the last two batters. The first strikes out, and the second makes a weak hit straight to first base. The game is over. The Astros only scored once this inning. The Rangers won, and so have I.
Jack gives me a cheerful high five, and I can’t contain my secret anymore. “Jack, I need to tell you something.”
“Is this about you and Olivia? I know already, son. Don’t worry about it.”
“I just thought?—”
“There’s nothing to discuss. You’re a good man, and I couldn’t think of someone better to date my daughter.”
“Oh, okay then.”This went better than I thought.Maybe it’s because the game went our way.
“Does this mean she’s going to stay in Roots?”
“That’s not my place to say. I think you need to talk with Olivia.”
He nods silently. Then, like the flick of a switch, his kind smile turns to a frown. “Just don’t break her heart, or I’ll break out my shotgun.”
I really would like to believe he’s joking, but there’s something about the look in Jack’s eyes that makes me think I better not find out.
ChapterForty-Five
