Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Alexander
I mess up Alvin’s hair. “You’re close, Alvin. You’re so close.”
He looks up at me with a beaming smile. “Do you think I’ll be ready before mom’s birthday?”
“You’re ready now,” I assure him. “Let’s run through it one more time and then we’ll take a lunch break.”
He turns his attention back to the piano. His fingers drift over the keys, playing the song that is going to bring my sister to tears.
We’ve put in a lot of time and effort to get to this point.
I’d factor sacrifice in too.
Last night I gave up time with Olivia when Alvin requested an extra lesson. He sent me a text message after school asking if he could sleep over at my place.
It was a first. I rushed out to buy every sugary cereal I could find.
I stocked up on potato chips and candy and after we left the rehearsal hall, he fell asleep in the Uber on the way to my apartment.
This morning he wanted fruit, so I ordered it from room service.
He stops mid-song to scratch his head. “Hey, Uncle.”
I grab hold of the corner of the piano to steady myself. The rush of emotions that washes over me is almost too much.
“What’s up?” I manage to get out without my voice cracking.
“Can Olivia meet us for lunch?” He trips his fingers over the keys. “Maybe at that place with the chicken burgers?”
That’s music to my ears on this Saturday morning.
I type out a quick text to her.
Alexander: Alvin misses you. He wants to know if you’re available for lunch, say in thirty minutes?
Her response is quick.
Olivia: Is it just your favorite nephew and I or are you crashing this party?
I laugh aloud, nodding at Alvin. “She’s in.”
“Yes,” he says with a pump of his fist.
Alexander: You want me there, Olivia.
Olivia: Cocky.
I type one word and press send.
Alexander: Confident.
“Can we leave for lunch now?” Alvin swings his legs over the piano bench. “I’m hungry.”
“Grab your coat.” I point to where both our coats are slung over the back of a folding chair. “Grab mine too.”
I type one last message to Olivia telling her where to meet us.
“Are you going to marry Olivia?” Alvin pushes my wool coat at me. “Mom says she’s perfect for you.”
His mom is right. Olivia is perfect for me.
Marriage isn’t on my mind. Moving in with her is.
“Time will tell.” Sliding on my coat, I pocket my phone. “Let’s see if we can beat her to the restaurant.”
He takes off at a run across the stage. “Hurry, Uncle Alex, I want to win.”
I already won. My life can’t get better than this.
“Are you coming to my mom’s birthday party?” Alvin asks after he finishes the last bite of food on his plate.
Olivia’s gaze volleys between his face and mine. “Your mom’s birthday party?”
Alvin gives her a brisk nod across the table. “It’s the same night Uncle Alex gets fired.”
Her hand leaps to her mouth to cover the broad grin.
“It’s my last performance as guest conductor, Alvin,” I clarify with a laugh. “No one fired me.”
“I’m not sure,” Olivia says tentatively, her gaze searching my face.
Dammit.
I haven’t discussed my final performance with her. I assumed she’d be by my side that night as I close one chapter of my life and open another.
I reach to take her hand in mind. “There’s a seat reserved just for you. I need you there, Olivia. I want you there.”
A smile blooms on her full lips. “Of course, I’ll be there, Alexander.”
“Are you going to kiss now?” Alvin asks with a chuckle. “If you are, tell me so that I can cover my eyes.”
I playfully swat him on the shoulder with my hand. “We’ll save the kissing for after we drop you off. Are you ready to go home?”
He moves the linen napkin from his lap onto the table. “I need to ask Olivia something first.”
Olivia’s brows perk as she turns in her chair, so she’s facing him directly. “Ask away.”
His hand scrubs over his forehead. “It’s embarrassing.”
“You can ask me anything. I promise I’ll answer as truthfully as I can.” Her tone is soft and comforting.
His eyes drop to his lap. “What kind of flowers do girls like?”
Olivia’s gaze catches mine. She lifts a brow as her lips curve into a grin. “We like all flowers.”
“There’s a girl at school.” Alvin scratches his chin. “Some kids in my homeroom aren’t nice to her. They tease her.”
“They’re bullies,” I pipe up.
He nods. “I don’t like it. I want to help. Would flowers make her smile?”
He looks to Olivia to answer the question.
She does with grace. “They’d make her smile. They’d help her to see that she’s not alone.”
“She’s not,” he says defiantly. “I tell the teacher when I see her being picked on. Me and my friend, Chase, tell the kids who bug her to stop.”
“You’re a good friend to her.” Olivia squeezes his shoulder.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” Both of Alvin’s hands wave in the air. “I never said she was my girlfriend.”
“Slow down.” I chuckle. “Boys and girls can be friends, Alvin. No one said anything about her being your girlfriend.”
“She’s his girlfriend,” Olivia mouths to me.
I nod before I look over at my nephew. “Do you know where she lives?”
“Two blocks from my house.” Alvin holds up two fingers.
“Olivia will pick out some nice flowers at that shop your mom likes and we’ll go deliver them to your friend.” I reach for my wallet. “I’ll pay the bill here and we can head there.”
“We’ll do it today?” Alvin shoots me a look of confusion.
“Today is the perfect day to put a smile on her face.” Olivia pushes back from the table. “The flowers will put a smile in her heart too.”
I stop and stare at her.
She wore a Yankee T-shirt and jeans because she knew it would put a smile on Alvin’s face. She let him order her lunch and now she’s giving him the courage to do the right thing.
If I had any doubt about what I feel for her, it’s been erased inside this restaurant.
I’m in love with Olivia Hull. I’m the luckiest man on the planet.