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.
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.”