Jewel Ann - Idle Bloom

Oliver’s eyes match mine in understanding while Jackie fights her own smile of understanding. This is getting embarrassing. Time to change the subject.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Chance comes through the door and into the dining room with a cocky smile and … oh my God! His pants are not zipped and I’m afraid to stare long enough to be sure, but I think he’s going commando.

“Hi, sweetie. I was just getting ready to get the pie.” Jackie gives him a hug on her way to the kitchen.

Okay, so she doesn’t notice.

“Good to see you, Bro.” Chance pats Oliver on the shoulder.

“You too, man.”

Chance walks around the table to me. “Viv, lovely to see you as always.” In true Chance fashion, he takes my hand and kisses it while smirking at a scowling Oliver.

I, however, couldn’t care less about the stupid kiss. Chance is standing at my side with his exposed area inches from my face, talking to Hugh about a new truck he’s looking into purchasing. I stare at Oliver until he squints his eyes at me. Nudging my head in Chance’s direction, my eyes widen. Oliver stares at me then gives a quick glance to Chance and back to me. I exaggerate my head and facial signals. He looks at Chance again and flinches.

“Ah, man! Zip it up, Chance. That’s disgusting. Get it away from Vivian.”

Chance looks down and laughs while zipping up. “Sorry, I rushed over here after…” he looks at Hugh and clears his throat “…my date .”

Hugh puts his fist over his mouth and clears his throat. “Have a seat, Son. And next time spare us all and take a quick glance in the mirror before joining us for dinner.”

“So how’s it been going in Portland?” Chance asks while sitting down.

Jackie, once again, saves the day as she brings in the pie. “Tell Oliver about Ronnie.”

Chance grunts as Oliver laughs. “You replaced me with a woman, huh?”

“I’d hardly call her a woman. She’s basically a man who lost his penis.”

Everyone laughs except Chance.

“I heard she’s quite attractive.” Oliver says.

“I hadn’t noticed.” Chance takes a bite of pie.

“Bull shit! Man…” Oliver shakes his head “…she must be something. I’ve never seen you worked up like this before.”

Chance waves his fork in the air. “I’m not worked up. In fact, I should have fired her ass by now.”

“For what?” Oliver asks.

“Insubordination.”

I cough. “Sounds like Chance is an alpha male.”

“Would you like to find out?” He wiggles his brows at me.

“Would you like to go on your next date with all your teeth?” Oliver says through clenched teeth.

“Enough, boys. I’d like to know what happened to the respectful young men we raised.” Jackie gives them both a tightlipped, disapproving glance.

Hugh stands while looking at his phone. “Well, if you find them, sweetheart, let me know.” He smiles. “I have to go into the hospital.”

Oliver and Chance walk their dad out while I help clear the table with Jackie.

“You know if you ever want to talk, I’m here.” Jackie takes the plates from me and sets them in the sink.

“Thank you.” I blink back the tears. All day I’ve felt on the verge of losing it. My emotions are eating me alive. “I just wish I could help him, that’s all.”

“Ah, sweetie, you are. I wish you could see that. He would not have gone back to Portland had he not met you.”

I look up and laugh because that’s not too comforting right now.

She takes both of my hands and squeezes them. “I know this has been hard for you, but trust me when I say that Oliver is finding his way back to you. Even if he doesn’t recognize it, that’s what he’s doing.”

I shake my head and swallow back the emotions. “Well it feels like one hell of a detour.”

“It is and I hope and pray with all my heart that you both have what it takes to survive it. Not very many couples have what you two have. It’s not just love, it’s friendship and respect. You laugh and play together and the passion between you is enough to make a momma like myself blush.”

We both smile.

“It helps to talk, and in case you haven’t heard, I’m a pretty good listener.”

I grin and hug her. “Thank you, I’ll remember that when I hit my blue moments again.”

“Call me anytime, okay?”

I nod.

“What’s going on in here?” Chance asks as he and Oliver come back inside.

“Girl talk,” Jackie answers.

I dab my fingers to the corners of my eyes while seeing the concern on Oliver’s face.

“We’re taking off, Mom.” He hugs her.

“Have a safe trip, Oliver.”

Chance gives him a hug too. “Let me know when you’re coming back to work for me. I’ll cut the vagina with a hammer loose.”

“Nah … it’s too much fun hearing how much she busts your chops.”

Chance grumbles something under his breath.

Oliver holds out his hand. “Shall we?”

“We shall.”

Oliver

The pain in her eyes floods me with guilt. More guilt. I swear I’m drowning in it. Melanie, Caroline, her parents, my parents, Vivian … it’s overpowering me in every direction.

We feed Rosenberg and head upstairs. There’s a sadness between us that’s hard to ignore. I miss her laughter. I got a mild version of it tonight, but not like I remember. The Vivian I fell in love with is cute and sassy with a carefree attitude and a penchant for doughnuts. I haven’t seen her eat a doughnut in months. Maybe I’m wearing her down too much. Everyone has a breaking point. I’m afraid Vivian has been so giving or flexible with me that she could break and it would be so subtle I wouldn’t notice until it’s too late.

“I need a shower.” Her voice is barely audible as she passes by me in the closet carrying her robe.

“Want some company?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

My head drops—hell, my whole body slumps. When did anything between us not matter? I shrug off my shirt and remove my jeans and briefs.

The steam from the shower pours out as I open the door. Bloodshot eyes look up at me through inky wet hair.

“I can still see your tears.”

Her beautiful face contorts like a knife is being driven through her body. “I don’t want to say goodbye again.” A sob escapes with her last word.

“I’ll stay.” I take her in my arms and let the water drown my own tears. This woman is everything in a world I was convinced was filled with nothing. And maybe that’s it. Maybe apart we are nothing and together we’re everything. Is it really that crazy to think that in a world with over seven billion people, it’s quite possible we weren’t meant to live alone—that maybe, just maybe, we need each other?

“Oli…” she looks up at me and presses her palms to my face “…love me.”

I close my eyes and cover her hands with mine. And then … I love her.

My lips seek hers with magnetic touch. She’s all I ever taste. My hands melt into the curve of her breasts until she arches her back. Her skin, it’s all I ever feel.

“Oli …” She whispers my name. It’s all I ever hear.

I lead with my hands and follow with my lips, taking the slow journey down her body—feeling, tasting, memorizing. Kneeling, I pull her to me and she eases onto me with slow, agonizing perfection.

“Love me.” Her soft words echo in my ear as she wraps her whole body around mine.

I’m at war with myself. My body wants to move with hers, giving and taking pleasure to the likes of which I’ve never experienced before, or will ever again. My heart … it wants to hold her in idle perfection … forever.