Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Olivia
“Hypothetically speaking…” I trail my words. Looking in Kate’s direction, I smile while I wait for her response.
“Olivia.” She reaches for a lace veil before she turns to face me. “Don’t. Just tell me what it is. I already know it’s about you.”
“And you,” I counter as I smooth my hand over the long train of a bridal gown.
I met Kate here at her store, Katie Rose Bridal, after I was done work. She’s still on the clock. Her mission at the moment is to select dresses and veils for a celebrity bride-to-be who has a consultation booked with her tomorrow morning.
“Me?” She hangs the veil on the silver garment rack that she’s been wheeling around the store. “How does this involve me?”
“Do you like the symphony?” I ask with a wide grin.
“I like that pink skirt you have on.” She laughs as she looks down at the black jumpsuit she’s wearing. “Can I borrow it sometime?”
She already knows the answer to that question. We’ve been passing clothing items back and forth between our apartments for the last few months. Sometimes when I get dressed in the morning, I’m not even sure if the clothes I’m putting on belong to her or me.
“Anytime.”
“Thank you,” she mouths.
“The symphony, Kate.” I glance at an off-white wedding dress that’s covered with feathers. “Do you like it?”
“I’ve never been. I’m not sure if I like it or not,” she confesses with a wink. “Is this related to Alexander Donato?”
My eyes widen. “You’ve never been to the symphony?”
“Nice try, Liv.” She picks up a crown veil and holds it in the air, examining it from all angles. “Don’t skip over my question about Alexander. Is this conversation about him or not?”
I move to where she’s standing and run my fingers over the edge of a vintage veil that’s been embroidered with crystals. “He sent me two tickets to his first performance and an invitation to the reception after the show.”
Her gaze darts to my face. “We’re going. No question.”
“No question? You’ve made up your mind?”
She picks up the veil I’ve been admiring. “This is perfect. Why didn’t I notice this one?”
I shrug. “I haven’t decided if I want to go to the symphony.”
“No.” Her voice is firm. “You haven’t decided if you like Alexander or not. I think you do, but that’s not the point.”
I can’t hold back a small laugh. “What’s the point?”
“The point is that we have an opportunity to go to the symphony and to what will probably be a fancy ass reception afterward. How can we turn that down?” A smile spreads across her face.
“It’s way better than another night of Netflix and popcorn.
It’s an adventure for the two of us, so let’s do it. What is there to lose?”
My heart.
I have no idea why that thought crossed my mind.
I’m not going to lose my heart at the symphony. I may lose a couple of hours of my life, but that’s the only risk I see.
“Once I’m done here we can go back to your place and choose dresses to wear.” She claps her hands together.
“My place?” I laugh.
“You must own at least twenty little black dresses.” She rests a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll pick dresses from your closet, and accessories from mine.”
“Deal,” I say, dropping into a chair. “I’ll sit and wait patiently until you’re done your work, Katie Rose.”
She turns back toward the rack of wedding dresses. “One day I’ll be doing this for you. I’ll find the perfect wedding dress when you’re ready to make it official with the man of your dreams.”
“Slow down.” I cross my legs and lean back in the chair. “Give me a chance to meet him first.’”
Glancing over her shoulder, she winks at me. “Maybe you already have.”
I point at my watch. “If you can get this done in the next thirty minutes, I’ll buy us both dinner before we go shopping in my closet.”
“Challenge accepted.” She laughs. “We’ll be out of this place in fifteen. You know I can’t resist free food.”
“It looks like the gang is all here,” Kate says as she slips her leather jacket from her shoulders. “Is he the reason why you wanted to come to this pub?”
“Trey?” I ask with a straight face. “I had no idea my cousin would be here.”
It’s the truth.
I also didn’t have a clue that Alexander Donato would be sitting next to him at the bar.
They haven’t noticed us yet and for that I’m grateful. All I wanted was a bowl of clam chowder. Easton Pub makes the best in the city, but I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.
“I’m not talking about Trey.” She folds her jacket over the back of a chair next to a wooden table. “I’m talking about the conductor.”
“Let’s go.” I grab her jacket. “There’s a great sushi place by our building. I think you’ll like it.”
“I’d like a bowl of chowder.” She plops herself down on the chair. “It looks like Trey and Alexander are deep in discussion so you can wipe that look of panic off of your face.”
I laugh, even though I know I look stressed. I didn’t plan on running into Alexander twice in one day.
When I left him standing in the lobby next to the bank of elevators hours ago, I felt flushed. The man does something to me even if I’m not ready to admit it to myself.
I fold both of our coats over the back of my chair before I take a seat.
A female server approaches with two menus in her hands. “Good evening, ladies. I’m Kora. Welcome to Easton Pub.”
Kate smiles up at the pretty brunette. “Please tell me that you have clam chowder tonight.”
“Every night.” Kora holds the menus in the air. “Are you going to need these or is it chowder for the both of you?”
“Chowder and two glasses of water with lemon.” Kate looks at me. “Unless you want something stronger, Liv.”
I shake my head while I try to keep my gaze focused on her and not the movement at the bar that I’m catching out of the corner of my eye. “Water is fine.”
Kora leaves in a rush, headed straight toward the kitchen.
The distinctive smell of chowder fills the air around us.
I first fell in love with this place when Trey asked me to meet him here for lunch last winter. I wasn’t a seafood fan before that snowy day, but I converted as soon as I had my first taste.
I’m not surprised that he’s here. It’s one of his favorite places to eat.
“Alexander, Trey and some super hot guy in a suit are headed in this direction.” Kate’s gaze wanders toward the bar before it settles back on my face. “Things are about to get interesting.”