“Got you something to commemorate today.” Gigi hands Eddie a small gift bag and he passes it to me. It’s way heavier than it appears.
I pull out a clear frame with a blue post-it note sealed inside.
Build a bigger corner.
“We’re always in your corner, you know that. But this way you can be reminded.” I look up at him and he is looking at me the same way he looks at AJ, with pride and love. Never has my own dad ever looked at me like that. I don’t have words for how much it means to have this entire family in my corner. To know that they are going to be the foundation of everything moving forward. They might not know it, but they are the reason I approached my grandmother with this idea and pushed so hard to make this happen. Nobody loves with loyalty and kindness like the West men. And I would be lost without AJ by my side.
“I’m actually going to steal her away for a few minutes.” Oliver announces as he pulls me away and AJ has to grab the frame before it falls out of my hands.
“Where are we going?” I ask him in a fit of giggles.
“Tradition. I feel like we have to at least make out in some side room right now.” He finds an open door and pulls me through it.
“We can not have sex right now. I really do have to get back in five minutes, Oliver.” I make sure he understands how serious I am.
“Just kiss me.” He locks the door behind me and lifts me up for me to wrap my legs around him. Giving in to Oliver is my favorite thing. His tongue plays with mine and the sound that escapes him is a mix between a groan and whimper. The hottest sound he makes. “You are the most breathtaking woman I’ve ever seen.” He breathes out as he trails kisses down my neck.
I run my hands under his shirt, needing to feel his skin. He gets lost in the movements and takes his shirt off, only breaking contact for a second. I kiss down his chest, seeking the spot I love to mark so much. I catch a glimpse of red on his chest and I push him away, realizing that my lipstick probably smeared.
“What?” His eyes are hungry as he is looking at me but I feel like I can’t breathe as I realize it wasn’t my lipstick that smeared on his chest. Because what is on his chest isn’t a smear. It’s a perfect lipmark. My lipmark. I run my finger over it, tracing it. “Oh.”
“Oh? You have my lips tattooed on your skin and that’s all you have to say.”
“It’s not a big deal.” He lifts a shoulder, smirking as he reaches out and runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “You’ll have to fix your lipstick.”
“No shit. But I can’t fix this.” I smack his chest. “This is permanent, Oliver.”
“That actually hurt. And it doesn’t need to be fixed. I did it on purpose.” He says as he rubs his chest.
“When did you get that?” I find a tissue on a table and start wiping what’s left of my lipstick off.
“The morning you left after we had that fight in the kitchen. I had taken a picture of it one night before washing it off. And I wanted to keep you with me if I failed at winning you over.” He speaks calmly like this is normal behavior.
“You are crazy and impulsive.”
“And you deserve a crazy kind of love to match your chaotic and loving heart.” He kisses my forehead before putting his shirt back on. “Let’s get you back so you can change lives.” He takes my hand and leads me back.
mia
“The construction guy is downstairs. He said he has a few things to show you from his walk through.” Davey steps into my office. I finally closed on the building where we held the sponsorship dinner all those months back. It’s close to the gym, and it’s a beautiful space. It has to be remodeled a bit to suit all my company’s needs, but it is officially mine.
I stand up from behind my desk and touch the framed post-it note that Eddie gave me. It’s my favorite decoration in my office. I follow Davey downstairs to meet with the guy who is lead on the renovations. He’s waiting for me right outside the door. He nods while holding the bill of his ballcap, “Ms. Cassidy.”
“Hi, Billy. Did you find something wrong?” This building is a little dated but I love it. And it feels right.
“Just a few electrical upgrades really. The building is sound. I just wanted to say thank you for letting me work on this project.” He sticks his hand out for me to shake. Billy’s company is still fresh and new. I know that he has put bids in with projects for my dad but never got them. His work is beautiful and sturdy. I am more than happy to give him the opportunity to be seen. He lets go of my hand and hooks his thumb over his shoulder, towards the back alley. “There is a random brick missing from the wall though. I’ll have a guy stop by and fix it. Should be doneby this evening.” I say my thanks before he leaves but my mind is racing. I watch his truck pull off before literally running to the back alley.
The missing brick is from a spot that my body has been intimately introduced to. I run my fingers over the lighter shade of red from years upon years of weathering. A brick from this wall would look pale and discolored against new brick. Especially in a well lit living room with the direct sunlight coming.
I don’t drive safely as I head to his house. The house that he has made sure has a piece of me in every room. Even before we were close, he did this. I run up the stairs and push the door open.
“Oliver West, get your lover boy ass out here!” I call out throughout the house. I march through every room of the house, not finding him anywhere. Then I hear him in the bathroom that I always use. He redid it with a light up mirror and speakers for me to get ready. But he secretly loves the set up. He even has my playlist playing. I open the door and am welcomed with his humming along to the music behind the shower curtain. I yank it back to find him grinning at me. “Hey, pretty girl. Are you joining me?” He runs his hand through the soap on his body and I have to remind myself that I am here for a purpose.
“No.” I point my finger at him, “get your ass out of the shower.” I grab the towel from the hook and hold it out for him. “Go on, rinse off.” I twirl my finger in a circle to hurry him.
“Is something on fire?” Yeah, my willpower to not jump his bones.
He wraps the towel around his waist and I grab his hand, dragging him down the hallway until we reach the open space where the living room is. I smack the brick that I am certain is from the hole on the side of my building.
