“Don’t say sex. That would make me feel like a prostitute.”
“Mmm, well we wouldn’t want that. Maybe you could massage my aching muscles every night after I get done with my long labor-intensive work days. Naked, of course.”
I laugh. “And that’s not going to lead to sex?”
“I’ve never had sex with my massage therapists.”
“Good to know, but how many of them have been naked while massaging you?”
His lips twist to the side. “Good point.”
“Besides, I probably wouldn’t be that good at it. I’ve never had a massage, so I don’t have much to go on.”
“You’ve never had a massage? Ever?” His brow furrows.
I shrug. “Nope. I don’t think a lot of teenagers get massages and then the …”
“The scars.” He sighs.
“Yes, the scars. It’s no big deal. I doubt either one of my parents have ever had a massage.”
“Then that’s another thing you should add to your to-do list after you accumulate your billions.”
“You do realize it’s not about the money.”
“No?”
I roll my eyes. “Of course not. It’s about making a difference in the lives of people like my parents. People who work for me will not work more than thirty hours a week. They will have generous pay, health and retirement benefits, and childcare. Then of course there will be fitness centers, healthy lunch options on site, sleeping pods to increase productivity, and who knows … maybe even chair massages. People will love working for me and as a result their enthusiasm and quality work will make my companies the best in the world.”
Oliver’s grin is enormous.
“What are you smiling at?”
“You. Just when I think you can’t amaze me anymore, you do. I love listening to you talk about your future like that. You’re so full of spirit and I have no doubt you will achieve everything you set out to do, a hundredfold.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
He winks at me.
“What about you? Are you going to retire co-owner of the Handy Hunk?”
“I’m not an owner, just a meager employee. Eventually, I will leave this glamorous job and move on.”
“Practicing law?”
He lifts his shoulders. “Maybe.”
“Hmm, I haven’t seen you in a suit, but I’ll miss those leather work boots.”
He chuckles. “The boots? You like my boots.”
I nod, digging my teeth into my lower lip. “You know how some men are about women in heels … nothing but heels? Well, that’s your boots for me. I fantasize about you in nothing but those work boots.”
He pulls into his parents’ driveway. “The boots, huh?” He grins.
“Yep, just the boots.”
“Might get the sheets dirty.”
I blush. “We’re not in bed … at least not in my fantasy.”
His eyebrows pull up. “We’re not?”
I shake my head. “We’re in the back loading area of The Green Pot. I’m in a sundress with flip-flops, no panties, and you fuck me up against your brother’s work truck … wearing only your work boots.”
Oliver swallows—hard while adjusting himself. “Damn, Vivian. I’m going to walk into my parents’ house with a boner.”
“Sorry, I’ll meet you inside.”
“Wait! You’re leaving me?”
I nod and open the door. “Giving you some privacy to take care of things.”
“Just give me a minute. It will go away on its own.”
“I doubt that.”
“Why do you say—”
I stand with my rear to the door and lift the back side of my dress. “Because I’m not wearing any panties tonight.”
“Shit! What the hell—”
I close the door and giggle all the way to the house.
“Vivian!” Jackie hugs me.
“Jackie, nice to see you again.”
“Where’s Oliver?”
“Uh … he’s still in the car. He had to um … handle something before coming inside.”
“Oh, I hope everything’s okay.”
I grin. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Well then, head out back. Hugh and Chance are out there.”
“Can I help you with anything?”
“Not unless you want to chop veggies for the salad.”
“I’d love to.”
Jackie leads me to the kitchen and points to a strainer with carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. “A knife is in the top drawer and the cutting board is on the island.” She slips on her floral apron and mixes something in a baking dish.
“What are you making?”
“Strawberry-rhubarb cobbler.”
“Yum. I almost had a taste of it shortly after I met Oliver.”
Jackie glances at me. “Almost?”
“Yeah, I hadn’t had dinner and he offered me the leftovers you sent home with him, except the cobbler. He ate that in front of me, but let me lick the bowl.”
“What? Where were his manners?”
“If you’re going to tell the story without me, then don’t leave out the important details,” Oliver says, walking up behind me. “I offered her the last bite but she said no then practically gnawed my hand off after I stuck the spoon in my mouth.”
I elbow him in the stomach. “I did not gnaw your hand off.”
Jackie laughs and when I look up I see a sparkle in her eyes as she watches us and our playful banter. Oliver wraps his arms around me and nuzzles my neck as I continue to chop the veggies.
“Did you get everything handled in the car?” Jackie asks.
Oliver tenses his hold on me. “What?”
“Vivian said you had to handle something.”
“She did, did she?” He pinches my sides eliciting a jump. “Yes, I handled it.”
I bite my lips together fighting the grin that’s dying to take over my face.
“Think you’re pretty funny, huh? Just wait until I handle you later,” he whispers in my ear. “I’ll be out back,” he says to us both.
“Okay, sweetheart.” Jackie winks at him.
We both watch him walk out back. “You’re good for him.” Jackie puts the cobbler in the oven.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. When he moved back to Boston I was worried about him. The boy I once knew who was full of life, always cracking jokes, and driven to be a successful lawyer seemed to have vanished. He’s coming back. I can see it a little more every day and I know it’s because of you.”
I blush. Oliver’s been the one who has given me a life over the past month. I’m not sure I’ve done much for him, so Jackie’s words touch something deep inside my heart and at the same time I feel sad for Oliver. “I know something significant happened while he was in Portland. That much of the puzzle has been pretty easy to put together. I haven’t asked him about any of it and I don’t plan to. I want him to tell me if and when he’s ready. However, I know when it’s on his mind. I see a different side of him, it’s a mix of anger, insecurity, and … I don’t know, maybe grief?”
Jackie nods but doesn’t respond. She just looks at me and her conflict is visible in the wrinkling of her forehead and the small creases along the corners of her eyes.
“Anyway, he asked me to move in with him, so that’s a good sign, right?”
The conflict on her face explodes into all out shock. “He did?”
I nod and grimace. “It’s too late now, but maybe I should have let him tell you.”
Jackie shakes her head or maybe she’s trying to bring herself out of shock. “No, you’re fine. I won’t say anything until he brings it up.” She smiles but it’s forced and I’m starting to feel uncomfortable.
“Here, everything’s chopped. I’m going to use the bathroom before dinner. Do you need any more help?”
“Thank you, I think everything else is good.”