Jewel Ann - Idle Bloom

“Work.”

I stop just inside the closet and turn toward him. “Work?”

“The firm where I used to work …”

I nod once.

“…one of the partners is going on maternity leave soon, and I’m going to help out. Make some money and find a way to occupy my time during the day since I can’t go see Caroline until later in the afternoon.”

My heart leaps into my throat. “How long will she be on maternity leave?”

“I’m not sure. She’s having twins so my guess is at least twelve weeks.”

Turning, I suck in a shaky breath which is incredibly hard to do since his confession just punched me in the gut. I pull off my T-shirt and push down my cargo pants.

“You’re so beautiful.” His voice is a breath away as his hands ghost down my arms.

I step away and grab a pair of jeans and a sweater. I dress with quick moves and turn to him. “I have to study.”

He eyes the entire length of my body and nods. His face goes slack as he rubs the back of his neck. Disappointment radiates from him. Join the club , is all I can think.

Pain breeds vulnerability and right now, as Oliver drives us to his parents’ house, I’m feeling unimaginable depths of both. There’s a wall of awkwardness between us that feels impenetrable. Neither one of us knows what to say or what to do. It’s as if we’re marking time in silence, waiting for yet another goodbye.

His words from this morning linger like poison— “I wish I could just let go.” Let go of what? Me?

Oliver shuts off the car and walks to my side. I get out before he reaches the door. He stops and sighs, as if my refusal to accept his chivalrous gesture is a slap in the face. Too bad.

He offers his hand— that I take. I’ll always take it, even when it wears a glove of heartache and pain.

Oliver stops before opening the front door and cups my face in his hands. “I choose you. I love you. No matter what happens you need to know that. If you don’t want me to go, then say the words and I’ll stay. It’s you I love, all that matters is you.”

I nod through the sincerity of his words. It’s never been a question of Oliver’s love for me. There’s no choice to be made. We claimed each other months ago—no take backs. I’m waiting for him to realize he’s more than the sum of the events of his past. I’m waiting for him to tattoo his scars with something beautiful and not be afraid to show it to the world. I want to give him what he gave me, but I don’t know how and it kills me.

His lips press to mine, and I swear I can feel the heaviness of his heart in the way they cling to me.

“Let’s go.” I smile and nod to the door.

He waits, eyes searching for something. Certainty? I rub my thumb over his bottom lip that stole some of my gloss.

“I can smell the grill, babe, and I’m starving. Let’s go already.”

He gives me a full double-dimple grin and opens the door.

“Vivian!” Jackie tosses her apron aside and pulls me in for a big hug.

“For Christ’s sake, I can’t win.” Oliver shakes his head. “I’ve been gone for eight weeks and it’s ‘Vivian!’ like you didn’t just see her last week.”

Jackie grins while releasing me. “Come here, baby boy.”

He gives her a half smile as she hugs his chest. Then he attempts to glare at me but fails miserably. “You and your dog are giving me a complex.”

“Son, good to see you.” Hugh walks in from outside and hugs Oliver, first, hopefully giving him a little ego boost.

“Vivian.” He hugs me and kisses my cheek.

“Where’s Chance?” Oliver asks.

“He’s squeezing in a ‘quick date’ before dinner.” Jackie waves her hand in the air. “That boy is never going to settle down.”

Oliver and I look at each other. I’m sure both of us are wondering if she realizes quick date is code for getting laid.

“He just hasn’t found a girl like Vivian.” Hugh hands Oliver a beer.

“Well, don’t tell him that. He’ll tell you he laid some claim to her before I showed up and stole her from him.” Oliver takes a pull of his beer. “It’s all I heard all summer.”

Everyone laughs.

“How’s he been doing with business?” Oliver asks.

Jackie, Hugh, and I look at each other and grin.

“You haven’t heard?” Hugh raises a brow.

“Heard what?”

“He’s hired someone part-time.”

“That’s great.”

We all grin again.

Oliver looks around at us. “Am I missing something?”

“Ronnie is young but has lots of experience from growing up around family in the construction and trim-carpentry business. Just what Chance was looking for going into the time of year that indoor home projects are more in demand.” Hugh grins waiting to see if Jackie or I want to finish the story.

“Chance hired Ronnie via e-mail correspondence. Ronnie’s résumé was too good to pass up. It’s probably even better than Chance’s.” Jackie smirks.

“So … what’s the deal? Is he a real dick or something?”

We laugh at the unintentional humor in Oliver’s question. Jackie and Hugh smile at me as if they’re bestowing the pleasure of the big reveal to me.

I take a sip of my wine. “That’s just it, babe. There is no dick to Ronnie, AKA Veronica.”

Oliver’s jaw drops. “No way!”

We laugh. “Oh yes, way.” I nod and giggle.

Oliver’s grin widens. “Man! I can’t believe I’ve missed out on all this. So have you met her? What’s she like?”

“We haven’t met her yet, but Maggie has. Veronica did some shelving work for her at The Green Pot. Maggie said she’s very attractive, smart, and has a quick wit that knocked Chance down a couple of notches every time he came by to check up on her.”

Oliver stares at me with a deviant grin. I can see the cogs turning in his head, no doubt concocting a huge ration of shit to deal out in small increments to Chance all evening.

Chance calls to tell us he’s skipping dinner but to save him some dessert. That’s code for his date has offered him an encore performance.

“So how long are you staying?” Hugh asks.

I know Oliver has stayed in contact with them since he’s been gone, so the conversation about Portland has been kept to a minimum so far.

“I fly out tomorrow.” He keeps his eyes on him while I glance up from my plate and then back down.

“Will you be home for the holidays?” Hugh continues.

Jackie gives him a stern cease-and-desist look. I’m not sure if it’s that she’s a woman, mother, or psychiatrist, but she has spot-on intuition to when a conversation becomes uncomfortable. Hugh doesn’t catch the look.

“I’m not sure yet.” I feel Oliver’s eyes shift to me, but I still don’t look up.

“Well I’m just happy to hear that you’re putting that degree of yours to use again. Working with your brother was never going to be a career.”

The table shakes and I know it’s from Jackie’s foot connecting with Hugh’s shin. The wince on his face confirms it. I risk a peek at Jackie and she gives me a polite you’re-welcome-dear smile.

“How are your parents, Vivian?” Jackie takes a bite of caramelized squash.

“They’re really good. My dad got a job with a larger company. It’s actually four ten-hour days, no weekends, and better pay.”

Oliver tilts his head. “When did this happen? You never told me.”

I shrug. “Last week. I tried to call you but you didn’t answer. Then when you called me back, we … well …” My eyes go wide as I clear my throat.