“These pies look amazing!” Jackie smiles while cutting them.
I’ve taken at least a dozen pictures of them because she’s right, they do look … well, like somebody else made them.
“Did Oliver say when he’ll be home?” Chance asks.
I shake my head.
“For sure by Alex and Sean’s wedding,” Jackie answers to my surprise.
“He said that?” I glance over at her.
“Yes.” She nods.
“What about Christmas?” My mom asks.
“He’s going to try…” she looks at me with a sad smile “…but he didn’t sound as confident about it as I’d hoped.”
My posture sags and I’m sure everyone else sees it.
“Maybe you should fly out to Portland as soon as you’re done with classes,” Chance suggests.
Jackie and Hugh scowl at him.
“What?” He takes a sip of water. “Oliver’s the best version of himself when he’s with Vivian and maybe he needs a little reminder of what he’s missing.”
“He needs to find something I can’t give him.”
Jackie nods with pain in her eyes. “Closure.”
I nod back.
“Who cares? Go out anyway and surprise him. He has to be missing you something fierce.”
“I can’t afford it.” I look down at my pecan pie.
My dad’s hand covers mine. “Yes, you can.”
I look up and he winks at me.
“Consider it your Christmas present from me and your mom.”
My parents have struggled financially for so many years. I want to turn down his offer as I’ve done so many times before, but I can’t. Yes, I’m dying to see Oliver, but right now I know how much this means to my dad and that alone is the reason I accept his gift.
“Thank you.” I hug him with tears in my eyes and then lean the other way and hug my mom.
I look at Jackie and see the concern etched along her face. She’s worried about Oliver’s emotional state, and she’s worried about me being in Portland with him so close to the source of his pain.
I smile at her. “I’ve got this.”
It’s faint, but she smiles back.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Smack
The days between Thanksgiving and the start of my winter break fly by. When I’m not in class or studying, I’m helping tame the Bridezilla. How Alex is managing to pass her classes and prepare for her wedding at the same time is way beyond my comprehension.
“You’re going to be back for my bachelorette party, right?”
I laugh. “Yes, at least that’s what my round-trip ticket says.”
“And he still doesn’t know you’re coming?”
I pile my folded jeans into my suitcase. “Not unless you’ve blabbed or sent him pictures of me packing.”
“Then how are you going to find him since he still hasn’t confessed that he’s no longer staying with Caroline’s parents.”
“My plan is to show up at his work.”
Alex hands me my sweaters. “And if he’s not there, what’s your backup plan?”
“I’ll turn around and fly back to Boston.”
“What?”
I laugh. “I’m kidding. I don’t have a backup plan. If he’s not there, I’ll think of something. Maybe an airplane banner over the city that says Oliver Konrad, where are you?”
Alex chuckles. “Nice, Flower, go with that one.”
I zip my suitcase and lug it off the bed. “Don’t leave your sneakers out where Rosenberg can get them.”
“Don’t forget your ID.” Alex follows me down the stairs.
“Don’t forget to check the front step for delivery packages.”
“Don’t forget to make it home for my bachelorette party.”
I slip on my coat and grab my purse as Alex does the same. “Don’t forget it’s poor etiquette to kill the groom during a Bridezilla rage.” Alex holds the door open for me as I kiss Rosenberg goodbye. “And don’t forget to give Rosenberg his present from me on Christmas.”
She shuts the door behind us. “Don’t forget how weird I think it is that you treat that mutt like a human being.”
Traveling two days before Christmas … crazy. Showing up unannounced in a new city … beyond crazy. I hope wherever Oliver is staying there’s room for me—I didn’t make hotel reservations. On the cab ride to his work my nerves kick in. As unimaginable as it is, what if he’s not happy to see me? Maybe he’s really busy and I won’t be the exciting surprise I’m imagining. Then there’s Alex’s scenario: He won’t be there and I can’t find him.
After paying the cab driver, I wheel my suitcase up to the gray building entrance. I find Sturgeon, Wallace, and Faye, 22nd floor. When the elevator doors open an older lady with silver-streaked ginger hair and yellowed teeth gives me a welcoming smile.
“Welcome to Sturgeon, Wallace, and Faye, how may I help you?”
“I’m Vivian Graham, here to see Oliver Konrad.”
She looks at her computer screen with her lips pursed to the side.
“I don’t have an appointment. I’m a very close friend and I’m here to surprise him.”
My comment elicits a once-over look and another polite smile. “I’m sorry. Mr. Konrad is out of the office and I’m not sure if he’ll be back in today. He had an out-of-office meeting with a client at one.”
I nod while strumming my nails on the counter. Dang! What’s my plan B?
“Do you have his cell number?”
I sigh. “Yes, it’s just … I wanted my arrival to be a surprise.”
She shuffles a few papers around on her desk. “I take it you and Mr. Konrad are close?”
I smirk. “Yes, you could say that.” A warm blush creeps up my neck.
She rolls her blue eyes up to me. “As in … really close?”
I glance around to see if anyone else is hearing our conversation, then look back at her with narrowed eyes. “Yes, really close. Why?”
She clears her throat. “Well if it were me, I’d ask to use Mr. Konrad’s office, to make a phone call or something like that.” Now she scans the room and lowers her voice, leaning in toward me. “Then I’d lock his door, close the blinds, and take a picture of myself to send to him.” She winks. “You know … one that says come hither.”
My eyes widen. I’m not sure whether I should be offended by her unprofessional behavior, or grateful for what really does seem to be a brilliant idea.
She sits up straight again and taps at her keyboard. “But that’s just what I would do.”
My body remains a statue, maybe for a minute maybe for five, I’m not sure. Finally I suck in a breath of courage.
“I didn’t catch your name.”
She smiles. “Samantha.”
I offer my hand and she accepts with a dainty shake.
“Well, Samantha, I was wondering if it might be okay if I used Mr. Konrad’s office to make a private call?”