Chapter 19 #2
I smiled. “I am. But since you’re here, can I show you something?”
In an instant, her mood shifted. Olivia perked up in my lap, her eyes bright and shining again. “Yes. I’m actually bummed that my first trip here, which I’m sorry about just barging in like I did, was all because I was so upset. I didn’t really have a chance to look around.”
“First of all, you don’t apologize for coming here.
Ever. If you need me, this door is always open.
” She leaned her weight appreciatively into me as she tucked her chin toward her chest. “Second, I’m happy to give you a tour of this building later, but what I want to show you now is the old warehouse. ”
Excitement leaked onto her features. “Oh, this is the project you’ve been working on, isn’t it?”
Jerking my chin down, I confirmed, “It is.”
Olivia hopped off my lap and grabbed my hand to get me off the couch. “I can’t wait to see what you’ve built.”
God, her enthusiasm for something I was responsible for was infectious. I’d never get tired of seeing her so exuberant when it came to anything, but to know she felt that way for me stole my breath.
Only after hugging and kissing her properly did I escort Olivia out of the office. I pointed out a few things on the way out of the building, but I was mostly focused on getting her over to the old warehouse.
Once inside, I gave her the tour. I took her through the open front space that was slated to be a Blackman Boards gift shop.
Then I led her through the spaces where folks would be able to build and customize their own boards as well as where the boards themselves would be built.
We made our way through the entire warehouse and back to the gift shop space.
The whole project had been such a massive undertaking, and it now looked infinitely more complete than it had when we first started.
In fact, it was further along than it had been just weeks ago.
“Wow, Taj, this is going to be so amazing,” Olivia marveled, spinning around and taking in the space with a big, bright smile on her face. “I think anyone who visits is going to love this.”
“You think so?”
She nodded. “Yes, I do. The concept is great. I think there might only be one small problem.”
Tipping my head to the side, wondering if she was going to say what I hoped she would, I asked, “What’s that?”
Olivia took two steps toward me, placed her palm on my chest, and tilted her chin up. “Are you planning to leave all these walls white? Do you have any artwork to hang or decorative ideas for the space?”
This was exactly what I’d been hoping would happen. “And here I thought you knew how I worked based on my lack of Christmas tree decorations.”
Her jaw fell open as she blinked her eyes several times in disbelief.
“Taj, you can’t be serious.” Stepping back, she turned around and looked at the entire gift shop space.
I had no doubt she was envisioning just how great the place would look if I turned her loose on it.
When she returned her attention to me, she said, “You’re really not going to add all the finishing touches? ”
I shrugged, loving seeing her all riled up. “I really have no idea what I’d do.”
Olivia’s eyes rounded. “There’re a million things you could do.
What about photos? Don’t you have photos from events where your riders have competed?
You could put up massive shots of those riders around the space, especially where guests coming in to design their own boards could see them.
Perhaps if you have special boards or limited-edition ones, you could showcase them somehow.
And you could add just enough color to the walls to enhance the vibe you want in each area of this building.
” She sighed. “Gosh, there’re so many things you could do to really bring this place to life. ”
“Why don’t you do it?”
She jerked back so harshly; I don’t know how she didn’t stumble. “What?”
“I’ve seen what you’re capable of doing with just a Christmas tree, baby,” I reminded her.
“I can only imagine what you’d do if you had an entire building to work with.
I have no interest or talent for this, but I know what I’ve seen out of you.
Olivia, I’ve been thinking about this ever since you started looking for a job.
I didn’t want to say anything and push you in a direction that you didn’t choose on your own, but I think you’re overlooking something that you clearly have an eye for. ”
She stared at me for a long time in silence. It was like she’d never considered the possibility of this being something she could do, and it was hitting her hard now that I’d brought it to her attention. “You… You think I’d be good at this?”
“No, I don’t think it. I know it. I’ve never met anyone like you. In just a matter of minutes, you came up with some incredible ideas for what to do here. I could never.”
Something twisted in her expression, something that told me she was wrestling with this.
“Tell me what’s going on inside your head.”
Olivia dropped her gaze. “It’s nothing.”
“Baby, look at me.”
She tilted her head back.
“Tell me what’s upsetting you.”
More uneasiness crept onto her features. “Until you said it, this never crossed my mind. But it sounds lovely. I think I’d really enjoy something like that.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
Shifting back and forth on her feet, she fidgeted with her hands. “I had a job where I was involved with my boss, Taj. As exciting as this opportunity would be, I don’t want to be involved with the person in charge of when I work.”
This was precisely the reason I’d refrained from saying anything to her weeks ago.
“I don’t have to hire you as an employee of Blackman Boards.
I think you have enough talent to be successful all on your own.
In fact, I was thinking that this could be a great trial run for you.
I need this place prepped and ready to go; you have the talent to do it, and it’d be an excellent opportunity for you to see if this is something you’d want to do permanently.
If you enjoy it, I think you could open your own business as an interior decorator. ”
The light was back in her eyes. “Really?”
I grinned at her. “Absolutely.”
Olivia took a few seconds to consider the possibilities. She spun around and took in the space one last time before she barreled forward and leapt into my arms. I caught her around the waist and held on tight.
“I think you’re the most amazing man in whole world.”
“I am pretty spectacular, aren’t I?” I teased.
Olivia’s laughter filled the air around us. And I couldn’t stop myself at the sound. I drove one hand into her hair, urged her mouth to mine, and kissed her.