44. Leo
44
LEO
W e’re all quiet until Olive and her family slip out the kitchen door. I don’t know what to say or where to begin anyway. Wait, that’s not correct. I roll my head between my shoulders, then turn to my mother.
“All this time, you knew who Olive was. I should’ve known something was up with your constant interrogations. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Every day I was ready to tell you, but I always chickened out. Why would I take away your happiness when you finally found it again with Olive?”
“The first night you met her, you said you had mustard in your eye and that’s why your eyes were watering. That wasn’t true, was it?” I ask.
Mom looks away. “When I realized who she was and she told us that her father had recently passed, it broke my heart. I couldn’t hold back my reaction.”
“So let me guess—Uncle Mason and Aunt Betty know too?”
“I told them right after you accepted the manager position and confirmed things were serious between you and Olive.”
I bite my lower lip and take a deep breath, trying to rein in my anger. “Thanks for making us look like complete idiots in front of everyone because a guy broke your heart over three decades ago.”
“Seriously, Mom,” Tonya blurts. “You fooled all of us. And are you still in love with Olive’s father?”
“Not at all. Pierce was a big part of my life, and we had a good time together. And he was a good man, despite the fact he broke my heart. I couldn’t admit that at first. After a while, I knew I was better off, but I was still bitter and too proud. Anyway, that night, all those emotions and memories flooded back, and I had to leave the room. And then it got me thinking about when your dad died. It was far too much for me.”
“You were hugging Olive’s mom when we got here. Does that mean you forgive her?” Sully pipes in.
“I don’t know. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since Olive came here. Leo, in some ways, we have something in common. We’ve both lost our best friends.”
I snap my head back. “Are you kidding me? How is that the same damn thing? Evelyn is alive. You might have things in common with Sully—” I stop. No need to go there.
“No, I know it’s not the same thing. Far from it. But let me explain myself. You lost your best friend, and there’s no chance to get him back. I lost Evelyn, not because she died, but because of a man who wasn’t meant for me. It didn’t matter how angry I was, I still missed my friend, every day.
“The difference between our situations is that now I have the chance to see my friend again. Maybe we can mend what was broken. I can thank her, too, because without her, I wouldn’t have met your dad or had my kids.
“This is how it was meant to be. Like you and Olive are.” Mom stands and takes my hands. “Do you realize how incredible it is, despite everything, that Evelyn’s daughter showed up at this hotel and you two fell in love? How can I ignore that? Maybe time does heal all wounds.”
Sully snorts. “So in thirty to forty years, I should forgive my asshole ex-best friend and ex-fiancée too? I can tell you right now that’ll never happen. Fuck them.”
“Sully—” Mom reaches for him, but he weaves around us and leaves the room.
“I’ll go talk to him,” Tonya offers. “It’ll give you some time alone.” She squeezes my hand, then goes off.
Mom plops back down onto the recliner and puts her head in her hands. “How did this become such a mess?”
“Don’t get too comfortable. It’s time to find Olive and Evelyn, and we’re going to talk it out. Whatever happens between you two, it’s not going to come between Olive and me. This is when I’ll be selfish.”
Mom nods and stands. I motion for her to lead the way. We put on our shoes and jackets and head to the kitchen to see if they’re outside. Tonya points to the kitchen window, then leaves with Sully following her.
I peer outside. When I see they aren’t yelling at each other, I relax. From Olive’s body language, she seems pretty calm. Mom nudges me toward the door. I open it quietly and step out. My love for Olive grows to a new level as she expresses her decision.
“I will always choose Leo. He’s my future and who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
“And I’ll always choose you too.”
She spins around, her face beaming when she sees me. I forget that our moms are standing there, and I approach her with open arms. She wraps herself around me, right where she belongs.
* * *
Hand in hand, Olive and I head to my favorite place. Mom and Evelyn both apologized to us and promised to not interfere any further with our relationship. We left them alone to let them work things out. Andy stayed back with Tonya because she offered to make him a martini when Sully left. I hope she doesn’t poison him.
“See, what did I say? Empty. My tree knew we were coming and made sure nobody was sitting on our bench.”
“Your tree, huh?” Olive pokes fun. “Isn’t it our tree now?”
We sit on the cold, squeaky bench and sigh at the same time. I invite the silence as I enjoy the view of the East Sound. She lifts my arm and snuggles up underneath it. I squish her to my side and kiss the top of her head.
“What a day, huh?” Olive’s exhaustion is clear.
I hum in agreement. “A lot to process.”
“I’m sorry about my mom showing up on the day of Corey’s memorial. I don’t want it to overshadow his memory.”
“No one could do that. And it’s not your fault. None of this is. At least she showed up after everyone left.”
“Right?” She looks at me with concern. “Do you think your mom will forgive her?”
“Actually, yes. Not that I don’t care, but it’s their problem. We don’t need to be in the middle of it. We have enough to figure out.”
She sits up and plays coy. “About our future?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Like what? Give me an example.” She bounces on the bench, her energy coming back.
“It’s the most important topic. So listen up.” Her eyes widen with excitement. I purposely say nothing to make her squirm a little.
She smacks my leg. “What? Come on. I want to know.”
I pick up her left hand and say with a twang, “Like when I’m ‘gonna put a ring on it.’”
Her face softens. “I don’t need a ring. I can’t fathom life without you. To me it’s a done deal.”
“So you think we’re engaged?”
“Maybe.” She draws out the word playfully.
I kiss her inviting lips. “Believe me, beautiful. You’ll know when we’re engaged. I’ve already got it planned. When, where, and how.”
“Did I hear the word engaged ?” Mom says behind us. Of course she’d know where we’d be. “Is there something you need to tell us?”
We turn around and find her and Evelyn, both with bright faces that don’t look forced. In fact, they look…happy? You’d never know there was bad blood between them.
“No. Nothing to tell.” Olive smacks a big kiss on my cheek. “But if I have my way, it’ll be sooner rather than later.”
“Does that mean I’ll be planning your wedding soon?” Tonya pops out from behind our moms, her face hopeful and flushed. Where the hell did she come from, and how many cosmos did she drink already? “And don’t forget about our bet!”
A bit confused, I mumble to Olive, “Bet?”
The side of her mouth quirks up. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Do I get to help?” Andy surprises us too.
“No,” Tonya responds quickly.
Andy winks at her.
What is with those two?
“Of course you can, brother,” Olive says, ignoring Tonya.
“Definitely soon,” I say, gazing into Olive’s eyes. “I can’t wait much longer.”
“Me either.”
Would it be inappropriate if I thanked Evelyn for stealing Pierce? If she didn’t, I wouldn’t have been born, and I wouldn’t have found the love of my life.
Because that is who Olive is.
The love of my life.
My best friend.
My future.