“It’s fine,” Owen said. His jaw flexed as he worked up to the next part. “I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”
Chapter Forty-Three
I somehow managed to stay present during dinner with my parents as we covered everything from myArcherwriting process to their latest aches and pains to Wes and Claudia’s wedding planning. It was a perfect celebration and catch-up, and while I loved spending the evening with them, it was almost impossible to focus.
“I’ll wait for you as long as it takes.”
Owen’s final words to me were seared into my brain.
After we’d spooned up the last of our crème brûlée—so cliché but so delicious—they hopped in a cab for Penn Station for the three-hour train ride back to Chevy Chase.
I was free to find out what “waiting for me” meant.
I texted Owen, because I was too nervous to call.
Still good to talk tonight?
Yes. Can you come over or should I meet you somewhere?
His house somehow already felt familiar and comfortable, despite the negative energy I’d brought to it. Plus, I wanted us to be alone for the conversation to come.
Yup OMW
He was sitting on his front step with Marti when I arrived a short time later. My heart sped up at the sight of him, hanging out with the world’s cutest dog in his lap. She barked a hello as I climbed the steps.
“Hey there. Sit,” he said. He scanned me quickly. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.” I glanced down at the navy T-shirt dress I’d thrown on before dinner with my parents. “Liar.”
The lights flanking his front door were lantern scones that looked like they had real candles inside, casting an atmospheric glow on us. It was the perfect night to sit outside since the heat wave had broken, and every so often, a breeze flitted past to remind us that cooler days were coming.
I scanned Owen as I sat down a safe distance away from him, but his face didn’t betray what was going on inside. As usual.
Marti jumped off his lap and wiggled her way over to me.
“Careful, friend.” I laughed as she nearly rolled herself down the steps trying to get me to pet her belly.
“Your parents get off okay?” Owen asked.
“They did. I can’t believe they came all this way for the day.”
“I guess everyone agrees that today was a big deal,” he said softly.
A goal achieved, thanks to him, but also to me. I could’ve pulled out when everything went to shit, but I pushed myself all the way to third place.
“Thanks again for being there,” I replied, my heart warming again at the memory of him appearing on the courts.
“Hey, it makes sense from a business perspective, right? Lotsof exposure for the club.” Owen paused. “But like I told you, it wasn’t the only reason I was there.”
I felt like I couldn’t get a full inhale as I waited for him to keep talking. The silence between us stretched on while we watched cars glide past on the street below.
“I read your suggestions for my book,” he finally said, the last topic I expected to cover during what was basically a peace summit. “Thank you. They were perfect.”
I was relieved that after everything I’d put him through, at the very least I’d provided some helpful feedback.
“Obviously, I know nothing about coaching,” I replied. “I was coming at it from an editing perspective, and I tried to think about how to make it sellable, but I wasn’t sure—”
“Brooke,” he interrupted gently. “Stop.Everything you suggested was dead-on. Stuff I hadn’t even considered.” He paused a beat, focused on petting Marti. “Maybe I could use your help after all?”
