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“And I’ll take a cordial cherry cookie, too, if you’re willing to part with one,” I interrupt.
He chuckles and hands it over. “That’s what I thought. I ordered you a cup of milk, but only because I didn’t know if you’d acquired a taste for coffee in the last ten years.”
“You remembered!” I smile. “But I like coffee now, too. I already had a big cup though, so milk is perfect, thanks.” I eye his giant mug. “I see that you’re fully embracing adulthood as a coffee drinker.”
He picks up his coffee. “That I am. And I take it black.”
“How manly.”
“Extremely. Upped my manliness since we last hung out.” His tone is light, joking…flirtatious? I find myself leaning closer. “You don’t know the half of it. Come watch me bench press at Fitness Train later, and you’ll really see how manly I am now.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “I’ve got muscles that didn’t exist in middle school.”
We both pause at his comment. It doesn’t make sense, and I review it in my mind. Is he being suggestive like I should want to examine these new muscles? I decide to let it pass and seize on practicalities. “You got a gym membership when you’re just here for the holidays?”
He blows a breath out, probably glad I didn’t call him on his facetious boast. “My dad got me a guest pass so I can spot him. See? Super manly. Helping my dad workout.” He sports those dimples again alongside a self-deprecating smile. “But you should come. You could help, too.”
I groan. “I almost want to take you up on that. It’s been so long since I’ve been to the gym. I used to love to work out there, but now with Felicity and the boys, I just don’t have time.”
“You’re like a second mom to them,” he observes.
“Well, kind of. It takes both of us working to pay the bills, and we take turns with the boys. She’s at home with them during the day, and I take the nights. But I’m just filling in the gaps for Felicity.”
He nods, watching my lips. I worry I have some cookie crumbs hanging and grab a napkin.
“I’m glad I ran into you again. The way we used to talk, I thought you’d have left Cherry Creek long ago. All you ever talked about was seeing the world. The lights of Paris. The museums of London. The sunset over the pyramids in Egypt. Are you still hoping to travel?”
My chest tightens. I used to want to see all those things. But I hadn’t thought about it in years—until Ginny gave me my birthday present. I sigh. “Maybe in a few years. My family needs me too much now.” I shrug. There are more important things in the world, and Trace and Hudson are two of them. I tap my fingernail on the table. “Impressive memory you have there.”
“Of course, I remember. Traveling the world was your dream.”
“Yeah.” I give a half laugh. “I guess it’s still just that—a dream.”
His eyes are sad, and I want to tell him not to look at me like that. I’m fine. He doesn’t need to feel sorry for me. It’s so not a big deal. But Oliver and I aren’t close like that anymore. I can’t just tell him I know what he’s thinking.
“You’ll get there,” he says quietly, like it’s important.
The gentle sincerity in his voice kills me. It’s like he knows who I am and what I want, even when I’m trying hard not to show it. How does he still know me after all these years apart? I’ve been trying to focus on my family, not myself. Even this much attention on me is unnerving.
“Anyway!” I pull my messenger bag out from under the table and unload my notebook and pen. I open the cover and the pages stick together with newness.
Oliver leans forward and rubs his hands together. “A brand-new notebook? Oh, we are in for an Amelia adventure, aren’t we?” His tone virtually crackles with delight.
I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “Yes. It’s an adventure. But it’s not for us.”
He sits back with a scowl of disappointment.
I weigh my words. “But we’re involved. Don’t worry. We’re just not the focus or the goal.”
He gives a micro nod like I haven’t lost him completely yet. I pick up my pen and put it back down. Yep. I’m definitely nervous. It’s Ollie, but it’s grownup Superman Ollie, and I’m about to impose on him big time. I wipe my palms on my jeans.
“It’s Felicity,” I tell him. “We have to help her.”
His dark brows come together in concern, and he leans over the table. “Sure. Anything.”
I swallow. “We’ve got to find her a man.”
“Here?” He casts his gaze around the room.
“No, of course not. This’ll take more effort than that.”
