8. Olivia
EIGHT
olivia
“ S eriously,” my mom said as we leisurely walked through the mall. Christmas was in two days, and of course, we thought of several things we needed at the last minute. “He’s amazing. They didn’t make men like that when I was single.”
I felt my face heat. “Oh my God, mom!” I laughed. “But yeah, he’s pretty great. I—” I couldn’t quite articulate how I was feeling.
She stopped and turned to me. Her eyes studied me curiously, narrowing as they did. With a creased brow, happiness exploded across her features and tears shined in her umber gaze.
“Oh my gosh!” She pulled me in for a hug. “You love him.”
My eyes darted around the mall, scanning for Luke as if he could appear any second. All I saw was a beautifully decorated space for Christmas, with twinkling lights adorning every corner, festive wreaths hung over storefronts, and a giant sparkling tree sat in the center courtyard. The scent of cinnamon and mint filled the air, and cheerful holiday music played softly in the background.
He wasn't there today; it was just Mom and me. Luke and my dad had gone off to do their own ‘guys’ thing. I was terrified he'd overhear the confession I'd been avoiding for weeks.
What if he didn't feel the same way?
I couldn't get myself to say the words out loud yet. So I nodded, feeling the heat ignite throughout my body. Flashbacks from a few nights ago swam through my head. The way Luke moved inside of me, imprinting himself on my body and soul. Not to mention, since that night, I snuck into the guest room, letting him take me in every way he could before slipping back to my room just as the sun began to sprinkle through the drawn shades.
Part of me felt like they knew what I was doing. Sneaking around like a ravenous teenager again might not have been the best thing to do under my parent’s roof, but the other part of me didn’t care.
Back home in Seattle, I saw Luke almost every single day, spending the majority of the nights with him, depending on his work schedule. Being here with my parents, I struggled to resist the urge to cuddle up next to him each snowy night, knowing he was so close.
Luke put back together the heart that I worried would remain forever in pieces. Shattered and half alive, he brought me back. I loved him. And even if we were to part ways forever, he’d always be the man who showed me how love was supposed to feel.
“He loves you, too,” my mom’s voice was low. We rounded a corner and stepped into an overly packed Macy’s. “I can see it in his eyes. Every stolen glance, he’s head over badge for you.”
Internally, I chuckled at the silly attempt at a cop joke. I truly had the best parents anyone could ask for .
My heart leapt in my chest at her words. “Can you really?”
“Definitely,” she insisted, her gaze sparkled like twinkling lights. “Luke hangs on every word you say. You should see the way he looks at you when you’re not paying attention.”
She squeezed my shoulder, guiding me through the busy store filled with holiday shoppers searching for the perfect gifts. Happiness ached throughout my core at her words.
“I never noticed.” And that was true.
I lived for our stolen moments, but I never thought he’d fallen hard and fast the way I had. Or maybe I’d been too blind to see it, until now.
I had no idea how Luke and I looked from the outside. I just knew how he made me feel inside. The butterflies that would erupt the moment our gazes caught. The instant he touched me, fire rippled across my skin, leaving me aching and wanting for hours. The ghost of his kisses across my body was a sensation I couldn’t unfeel.
“Well”—she laughed—“sweetheart, I think that’s the point.”
An awkward lull fell over us for what felt like forever. Hanging thick in the air the way the snow blanketed the ground outside.
“What else did you wanna get?” I asked, needing to break the silence.
“I thought it would be nice to get your father at least one other thing.” Her eyes scanned the area until she located what she was looking for. “There!” She pointed to The Shoe Department. “He needs new shoes. I’m so sick of hearing him say those old beat up tennis shoes, that he can’t seem to part with, are broken into.”
A giggle burst from my chest. That was very much something my dad would be saying, even in his coffin .
“Yeah.” I nodded as we weaved our way to the men’s shoes. “He really needs an upgrade.”
“Men,” she scoffed as she sorted through the mess until she found the perfect pair.
This was turning out to be the best trip I’d ever had.