No matter what was going on with Alara, or how disappointed Zia would be not to see Reaves, the one thing Callie knew for certain was that she didn't want to pass up the chance to see Ollie again.
~ ~ ~
Ollie ran his hand through his hair as he stared at his phone.He probably shouldn't have left such a rambling message, but he was starting to get the impression that Callie really might not be interested.All he could do at this point was hope that she would call him back — even if it was to tell him to stop calling.
But no, he didn't really believe that.He was just getting panicky.
Reaves and the dogs jogged back over to him.Reaves had insisted they should play ball while he made his call.
"What did she say?"he asked with a grin."That was quick."
"It was quick because she didn't answer."
"Shit."
"Yeah.Now I don't know what to do.I want to go and pick up these sunflower things for your dad, but..."Ollie's shoulders sagged."I don't know.I asked her to call me back and let me know even if she's not interested.I think she'd do that, just to put me out of my misery.And if that's the case, you can take the Cirrus and go get them."
Reaves grasped his shoulder."Hey, slow down.You don't know that she's not interested.There’s a dozen reasons why she didn't pick up."
"I haven't talked to her since Thursday."
Reaves smiled."Which isn't all that long ago, if you think about it."
Ollie had to smile back at him."Yeah, I guess you're right."
"I know I'm right, and I know it because I keep checking in with myself.See, I haven't managed to talk to Alara since Wednesday.So, I'm a day longer than you over here, okay?"
Ollie chuckled."Okay, you take the prize.But if you think about it, we're both a pair of sad sacks, aren't we?It's only been a few days and we're both like this."
"I wouldn't call it sad," said Reaves."Surprising, definitely.But I kind of like this feeling."
"I would have said the same," said Ollie.He glared at his phone."Until she didn't answer.Again."
"What do you mean, again?You haven’t been harassing her, have you?"
He laughed."No, I haven't.It's just that I kind of thought we were going to talk every day, and we haven't managed to."
"Well, give it some time.Maybe she'll—" Reaves laughed when Ollie's phone rang."Is that her?"
He nodded eagerly."It is."
"Come on, Peanut, Butter," said Reaves."Let's leave him to it."
He jogged away again, and the dogs went with him.
"Hey, Callie," Ollie answered.
"Hey, you.I'm sorry I missed your call.And before I say anything else — I do want to see you again, okay?"
Something settled inside him, and he closed his eyes briefly."Yeah.That's not just okay, it's great."
"I'm glad you think so.And I'm sorry things have been a little weird around here."
"Is everything all right?"he asked.
"Oh, yeah," she said hurriedly."There's nothing to worry about.Everything's fine.It's just been — yeah, like I said — strange.But anyway, that's not the point, is it?The point is that you want to come and collect these sunflower glazes.Do you want me to bring them to the airport, since Reaves is with you?"
He frowned."Reaves is coming with me to give me a hand with them.You said they're heavy; I don't want you packing twelve of those things into your truck and driving them out to the airport.But if you don't want—"
