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Ollie was tired by the time he got back to the estate on Thursday night.It had been a heavy week of flying.He and Reaves had dropped the sales team off in LA on Monday, then flown Bentley to some meetings in San Francisco on Tuesday.Wednesday, they'd taken Willow and Slade down to Summer Lake for the day so they could visit with Alexandria— apparently their wedding plans were starting to take shape.And today they'd been back to LA to bring the sales team home.
He was looking forward to picking the dogs up and going home to chill out.He missed them when he was flying a lot.He missed Reaves, too.It was weird — he flew with Reaves every day but hadn't seen him outside of work since Saturday night.He understood.Reaves was spending every spare moment at his dad's place with Alara and Zia.He still missed him, though.
But most of all, he missed Callie.
She hadn't been in his life all that long, and he'd spent the first few weeks stressing about not being honest with her.But now that things were straightened out — now that they were together for real — he missed her and wanted to spend as much time with her as he could.
He climbed out of his SUV, wanting to see Rosa but also wanting to keep it short so he could get home and hopefully talk to Callie.
The front door opened just before he reached it, and Luigi greeted him with a smile."Hey, Ollie.How's it going?"
"All good, thanks, Luigi.How about you?Sorry I haven't made the time to come out for one of our chats lately."
"That's okay.I know you've been busy."Luigi winked at him."Rosa's been keeping me updated on this young lady of yours.I hope I get to meet her soon."
Ollie grinned."You will, definitely.She's coming this weekend.Are you around?"
Luigi laughed."When am I not around?"
It was true.Of course he worked on the estate, managing the wine business side of things, but it was a standing joke that while Rosa liked to travel to Italy whenever they could, Luigi would much rather stay here.
"Well, let me know when's good for you, and I'll bring her over."Ollie frowned."In fact, why don't you guys come up to the house?"
Luigi cocked an eyebrow."That sounds formal.Is this official, then?You and this Callie are dating?More than dating?"
Ollie gave him a puzzled look."What does ‘more than dating’ mean?"
"I don't know," said Luigi."You tell me."
They both turned when Rosa appeared beside him with the dogs."Sorry — they heard you, but we were out back."
"That's okay."Ollie bent down to make a fuss over Peanut and Butter.
When he straightened up, Rosa gave him a knowing look."More than dating means are you going to marry that girl?"She glanced at Luigi."I know you didn't ask for my opinion—"
Luigi chuckled."But you're going to get it anyway."
Ollie laughed with him but held Rosa's gaze."And I welcome it."
"That's the only reason I offer it," she said, giving Luigi a poke in the side as she spoke."I say you should marry her."
Ollie inhaled sharply."I'm hoping things are going somewhere serious between us, but … I’d love to think we might, someday—"
Luigi shook his head."If it's only a might, then don't.But if it's a yes, don't wait for someday.We only ever have today."
Rosa leaned her head against his shoulder."He said something like that to me almost forty years ago."
Luigi wrapped his arm around her."And I still say it every day.Today is all we have; we need to make it count."
Ollie nodded thoughtfully.He'd heard their story before — how they'd met when they were just seventeen, married when they were eighteen, and loved each other ever since.He and Callie might not have met at seventeen, but he knew that he’d love her for the rest of his days.
Luigi grasped his shoulder and gave it a squeeze."Unlike my wife, I won't give you my opinion — but I'm glad I gave you something to think about."
Ollie chuckled."Yeah, you've sure done that.And now I'll leave you two to enjoy the rest of your evening.But let me know what you think about the weekend."
Rosa raised her eyebrows, and Luigi said, "I'll explain.Let him get home.He's had a long day."
