Page 72 of Mr. Match

I want to believe it.

I need to believe it.

So I believe it.

Chapter Thirty-One - OLIVER

“What do you know about sharks?” I ask Weston, who was waiting for me in my office when I walked up the stairs.

“What?” he asks. He hasn’t told me why he’s here yet. But he’s nervous about something. He turns away from the window and looks at me. I’ve got my boots kicked up on my old desk, leaning back in that chair that might fall over if I lean just half an inch more.

“Shark movies, specifically. Do the sharks eat the people?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Did you see Jaws? I never did. Did that shark eat everyone?”

West sighs and turns back to the window. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Well, I have no idea why you’re here. How about we start there?”

“My parents are coming,” he says.

“Your parents? Why?”

“Remember?” he says. “I told you they want to spend time with my new family.”

“What’s Tori say about that?”

“She fucking hates them.” He snorts a little, but it’s not a laugh.

I nod. I can see her point. I’ve never actually met the Conrads, but I’m guessing they are not really my people. Kinda like the Delaneys aren’t my people either.

“But Tori doesn’t know yet.”

“When are they coming?” I ask.

“Today,” he says, walking over to my desk and taking a seat in one of the two chairs. “This evening, I think.”

“Where the fuck do they think they’re staying? Ariel won’t let them stay with her if Tori says no. And there’s no five-star hotels in FoCo, dude. I don’t think I can picture your parents staying at the three-star Ramada over by the vet school.”

“They got an Airbnb on Mountain Avenue.”

“Fuck. Tori’s gonna love that.”

He just sighs.

“Is that why you’re here? Moral support? I’m not really the moral support kind of guy. You should talk to Mac. He’s all understanding and shit. He’ll walk you through it.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” West says, squinting at me.

“What’s that look for?”

“I’ve got a question for you.”

“Shoot,” I say.

“Do you think Tori is being dramatic?”