“That’s all for today. Please drop suggestion cards in the basket by the door on your way out, and don’t forget about the upcoming Christmas Walk. I will need engagement from everyone in town to pull it off,” Tony says, adjourning the meeting.
I stand, scooching my chair back with a squeak across the tile floor. In a matter of seconds, I’m pacing on the sidewalk, willing Olive to answer her phone.
“Miss me already, Sam?”
“Always. Are you busy today?”
“Nope, unless Beau needs me for something. Although I have girls’ night tonight, so I’ll need to be back by five to get ready.”
“Okay, I have a lead on Irina. Stan gave everyone the address to her assumed home after receiving an anonymous tip. The society is going to start their survey and restoration next week. I think we should check it out, and if we’re going, we need to do it tonight or tomorrow,” I explain.
“Oh, uh, okay . . . It has to be tonight. We’ll get caught snooping if we go during the day.” Olive comes through with logic, thank God.
“Okay, can you cancel girls’ night?” I ask, hoping she’s on board.
“No, but I can bring Ari with me. Why don’t you bring Howard? Double date!” Olive’s voice goes up three octaves on the last statement. I can’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. A part of me hopes she’s that excited about us, too.
“I’ll ask him. But does he know? You know, about your arm . . .”
“Yeah! He’s known for weeks. It’s all good,” Olive chatters out. The knowledge that everyone, or what feels like everyone, but me has known hits me in the gut. I need to have a conversation with her, tell her how I feel, because it’s killing me holding back.
“Oh, um, alright. I’ll stop by Union after my last client and see if he’s in,” I respond, stopping myself from saying too much.
Seeming to sense my inner turmoil, she says, “I’m sorry, Sam. I just didn’t know how to tell you. It’s this crazy out of my control thing, and I thought it would be just one more reason for you to leave, you know.” I can hear her sigh on the other end of the line. I get why she didn’t tell me sooner, and we have made progress—she’s even started to tell me about her mom. But I want more, I want everything she has to offer.
“Baby, let me make something clear. I’m not going anywhere. You keep saying I’ll leave, but from where I’m sitting, it feels like maybe you’re the one afraid of this. I’m all in, I promise.” My voice cracks as the emotion of last night and now today starts to bubble up. I think I’m in love with Olivia Bowman.
“Thanks, Sam. I’ll see you tonight.”
twenty-three
Olive
At Home with Irina
13 Days Until Halloween
“Ollie, I got the eye black as requested,” Ari shouts, barreling through the front door with three grocery bags and an overnight tote.
“Looks like more than just eye black. What is all this?” I ask, grabbing the groceries from her and placing them on the counter.
“Oh, just a few things to make this more fun. I figured if we could potentially end the night in jail for trespassing, or worse,cursed by Irina, we better do it on a full belly.” I gawk at her. She did not just compare my predicament to jail.
“Um, thanks? I guess.” I rifle through the bags, pulling out a couple bottles of wine, two kinds of chips, crackers and cheese, and a package of Oreos. It’s quite an impressive spread if we were kindergartners, minus the wine.
I reach in a drawer and pull out a wine key. “Hey, the wine is for after. Wait, actually, maybe it’s for both. I’m nervous, are you nervous?” Ari placed her tote in my room and is now pacing the living room.
“Yeah, the last time I saw her I ended up in the hospital. Of course I’m scared. But this time we are going as a group.” I try to reassure her as bile nips the back of my throat.
“A group? I thought it was just us and your lover boy. Which, by the way, your bedroom has a vibe. I’m going to need clean sheets if you want me to stay here.” Ari waves her arm around like she’s wafting the air.
“The sheets have been changed, and I don’t kiss and tell.” I place both hands on my hips as a sign that I’m serious. Instead, she doubles over in laughter.
“Yes, you do! I literally could describe every peen you’ve ever seen from memory. Don’t act all high and mighty now. Spill it!” she shrieks between laughs.
“Well . . . fine. I guess I do. It was amazing. He’s got an impressive, uh, man part. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one so big, and honestly, those tattoos, they do something to me,” I admit, joining in on her laughter.
“I knew it. I could tell you were walking funny.” She claps her hands together and smiles from ear to ear.
