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Alec: I suggest you haul your ass this way if you don’t want to piss off my wife. You know she’s fussy like mom.
I glance at the time. I’ve stayed chatting with Olivia for too long. Still, I check if there’s anything more from Olivia and swallow my disappointment when I see that there’s nothing.
Traffic is a bitch and there’s another text from Alec by the time I get to their house. I don’t bother reading it, instead, I grab the shopping bag and hurry out. Alec must be hovering by the door because he opens it as soon as I knock.
“You’re late and don’t give me that bullshit that you were in the hospital,” Alec says.
I grin at him. “I wasn’t going to. I lost track of time at the mall parking lot texting with Olivia.”
“Uncle Jace,” Ryder calls from the direction of the kitchen.
I step into the house as Ryder and his mom appear. “Hey, buddy.” I pull him into a hug and hand him the shopping bag then I hug and kiss Ivy.
“I was hoping you’d come with Olivia,” she says. “No worries but I still want an update on how things are going.”
Ryder pulls the megaphone out of the bag and both his parents groan and stare at me horror-stricken. I can’t resist the chuckle that escapes my mouth.
“What goes around comes around,” Alec says menacingly.
Ivy nods grimly. “It may come around even faster than you think, Jace so if I were you, I’d be really careful about my choice of gifts.”
I laugh. “You’re good at sounding menacing on paper but not in real life.”
It’s a fun evening and even though I miss Olivia, it’s manageable. When we’re done with dinner, Ivy asks me to help her clear and clean up, which I’m happy to do.
“She wants to grill you on your love life,” Alec whispers to me as I follow my sister-in-law to the kitchen carrying dirty plates.
“I heard you, honey,” Ivy shouts over her shoulder.
“Good. I actually need some advice from a female point of view.” Maybe Ivy can give me some insight as to what I’m doing wrong or not doing. I don’t feel as if my relationship with Olivia is progressing. We’re not moving forward.
Ivy doesn’t waste any time. “No point in beating around the bush when Alec has already opened his big mouth.” She speaks as she stacks dishes into the dishwasher. “So, how are things going with Olivia? You look happy.”
“They’re going well and not at the same time.” I don’t waste time either and I tell her how frustrated I feel because it doesn’t feel like our relationship is growing.
“I don’t get it. What am I missing here? I’ve never been good at relationships and I’m afraid I might be fucking up somehow. I don’t want to mess this up. Olivia is the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I think this relationship might be it.”
“Sounds as if she’s not sure about you guys,” Ivy says.
That jogs something in my memory. “You know, that could be it. She said something today that sounded weird. I asked her if she thought about our future and she said, she doesn’t allow herself to.”
“She needs to know that it’s a serious relationship for you,” Ivy says.
An idea comes to mind just then. It’s crazy and wild but it’s perfect for showing Olivia just what she means to me. “I know what I have to do. Thanks, Ivy. You’re awesome.”
“What?” she asks.
“I’ll tell you soon.”
Chapter 33: Olivia
The vibration of my phone wakes me up and I realize with dread that it’s Saturday morning. The day I’ve been dreading since Amelia told me about the interview. My insides feel like they’re full of water. I roll to my side and reach for the phone. Happiness fills me when I see that the message is from Jace.
Jace: Morning sweetheart. Did you have a good night?
Me: Morning! Got a lot of work done. Missed you terribly. How was dinner?
Jace: Very good. I’m excited about the weekend. Especially tomorrow.
