Olly is far more than I deserve.
He never signed up for this, for us. Before me, he was a carefree bachelor. And there I go again stereotyping him—he was and is so much more. But how long will it be before he realises this isn’t worth the trouble?
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I startle at the sound of Sophie’s voice. “Oh, I was thinking about Olly.”
She joins me at the counter, takes the cloth from my hands. “It’s clean.” She tosses it to the side. “Fancy a tea before we close up?”
I go to check the time on my wrist, sigh, and then look at the clock on the wall. “Yeah, sounds good.” I still have another hour before I need to collect Molly.
After Sophie makes a pot of tea, she grabs the last two slices of carrot cake, nodding towards the table. I sit with a satisfied sigh. It’s nice to be off my feet.
“So, tell me about Olly,” she says with a warm smile.
I shrug, not because I don’t know what to say, but because I don’t know where to begin. “I just…well, he crept up on me, you know? One minute, he was just Olly, who worked for Charlie, and then I get to know him, and he’s…so much more.”
She takes a bite of cake, nodding her head for me to continue like this is the best thing to happen to her all week.
“Marcus is going through some stuff, and Olly has been understanding—maybe even too understanding.” I take a sip of my tea before continuing. “It’s just—I have never felt like this about anyone before, and I have Molly to consider. What if it gets to be too much for him and he breaks her heart?”
And mine.
She reaches over, taking my hand in hers. “Rachel, I’m not going to lie. When I first met you, I was dubious, but now that I know you, I see how much you deserve someone like Olly. If he’s with you, it’s because hewantsto be. I doubt that boy does anything he doesn’t want to.” She’s right, but honestly, I don’t know what he sees in me. “You don’t think you’re good enough for him, do you?”
I shake my head. “No. Not really.”
“Why?”
A humourless laugh escapes me. “I’m a mess, in debt up to my eyeballs. Olly deserves better than me.”
Sophie grabs hold of my hand. “Don’t let your insecurities ruin a good thing. Talk to him.”
I know she’s right, but by admitting my fears to him, I’ll be exposing myself. And that terrifies me—I’m already in too deep.
OLLY
Today has dragged; it might as well be going backwards.
“Hey, mate. What’s up with you?” Charlie asks, tossing a tea towel at my face.
I catch it, drop it on the bar. “I’m good,” I reply, stacking the glasses.
“I doubt that. You haven’t been your usual flirty-self with the patrons of late.”
I cross my arms and lean back against the bar, raising an eyebrow. “I’m still professional.”
“Yes, but you’re— How do I word this? You’re not carefree as you once were.”
I smile, knowing he’s right. “It’s Rachel,” I say.
He faces me, giving me his full attention, eyes sparkling. “Spill?”
“I like her. And I’d never want to do anything to disrespect her.”
He punches me in the arm. “Well, damn. Mate, you are well and truly whipped.”
I shake my head, unable to hide my smile. “Yeah, she has me tied in knots…and that’s the problem.”
