Chapter 19
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
OLIVE
As soon as Harrison leaves, I sit down at my desk with a piece of paper and a pen. My decision made to write one final letter to Thomas to end things.
I just can’t see myself with anyone but Harrison.
Dear Thomas,
Thank you for your letter. I’m so sorry to do this, but things aren’t going to work out between us.
I actually met someone, and I have to see where it goes.
I know Rita is so sure that we are a perfect match, and honestly, this could be a huge mistake that ends in heartbreak, but the man I met… I just can’t walk away.
It’s not fair to either of you to continue writing you letters while pursuing things with him. I’m sorry for wasting your time.
Good luck. I hope you find the same happiness I have.
Olive
I reread what I wrote and feel satisfied enough to seal it up in an envelope.
I’m surprised by a knock at the door and regret not getting dressed after Harrison left.
I shrug to myself and answer the door. I’m obviously not impressing anyone today.
I’m a little horrified that Harrison saw me like this, but he didn’t seem to mind. I like that about him.
“Who is it?” I call through the door.
“Delivery for Olive Lively.”
I open the door, wondering what it could possibly be since I haven’t ordered anything. “Ma’am,” the deliveryman says, tipping his hat and handing me an envelope. I look down and know immediately that it’s from Thomas.
“Thanks,” I say to the deliveryman’s back since he already turned and is heading toward the elevator.
I close the door in a bit of a haze. I just wrote a goodbye letter to Thomas, and here he is sending me another letter. Before I can stress over it too much, I open the letter and read it.
Dear Olive,
I work in finance. That’s the easiest explanation for something that most people find terribly dull. I enjoy the work. I enjoy taking companies that are struggling and turning them into moneymakers. Though I have to admit lately, I find myself distracted from my work by outside pursuits.
Funny how quickly something can turn a person’s head.
I know you said you’re an author, I’m curious about what you’re working on. Can I ask that? I don’t know the etiquette for these kinds of things. I’m interested to hear about it though.
I’ll be completely transparent with you. I didn’t put much faith in Rita’s abilities to find me a perfect match. I have to say, I’m quite pleased with her work.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours,
Thomas
Fuck. Me.
Guilt screams through my system. I reread the letter, wondering what kind of outside pursuits could turn a man like him away from his work… could it be me? Surely not. We’ve barely exchanged any letters. At this point, we are virtual strangers.
Then why do I find myself wanting to respond? Wanting to answer his questions and tell him about my book. He’s so much like Harrison it’s uncanny. That thought is enough to have me addressing the letter to Thomas.
I can’t do this.
Harrison is the one that I want. No matter how it ends.
I quickly get dressed and catch a cab to Rita Matches. Thankfully, Rita is with a client so she can’t sneak out of her office to see me. I leave my letter with her assistant and escape quickly.
As soon as I’m back home, I sit down at my computer and start to write.
I’m at a pivotal moment in the book where my heroine catches the hero in a sketchy situation.
This is the point that will test their love.
It’s time to make my readers hate me in the best way.
Time to make them bleed over the characters breaking up and hating themselves and each other for it.
Hours later, my door opens and closes as Zoe lets herself in. She takes one look at me sitting cross-legged on the couch with my computer on my lap, typing away, and leaves. I’m not sure how much time passes, but Zoe comes back with a pizza and a bottle of wine.
“Time to eat,” she announces.
I pull myself away from the computer screen and give her a dirty look. She holds her hands up in a calming manner.
“When was the last time you ate?” she asks.
“Waffles this morning,” I grumble.
“Then it’s definitely time to eat.”
She grabs my computer and sets it aside, then drops the pizza box on my lap. The smell of greasy, cheesy goodness has my stomach grumbling. I open the box and salivate at the sight of my favorite—ham and black olives with extra cheese. Zoe knows me so well.
“I take it that the book is going well?” she asks.
“Very well. My muse won’t shut up.”
“That’s awesome, Olive. I’m so glad you’re back on track.”
“Me too.” I take a huge bite of pizza.
There’s a knock on my door, and I look at the time, it’s after seven, who could that be? Harrison would’ve called, and based on what he said, he’ll be working late today trying to catch up from being out of the office for so many days.
“I’ll get it, you eat,” Zoe says before I can move from my spot… the one my ass is probably glued to right now. I don’t remember the last time I moved.
Zoe comes back with an envelope. I know without even seeing it that it’s a letter from Thomas.
A pit opens in my gut at the thought of him writing me back.
Was it too much to hope that he would just slink away into the dark without making me feel any more guilt?
Maybe he’s written something horrible that will make me feel better about the whole situation.
She hands me the letter, and I stare at it as if it were a snake about to bite.
“Are you going to open it?”
I drop my pizza back in the box and set the whole thing aside. I hold the letter in both hands, wondering what he could have possibly written. “I wrote him today telling him that I couldn’t continue writing him…”
“Do you think this is hate mail?”
I scrunch up my nose. “Or a profession of his undying love and that he doesn’t want to end things… Either option is awkward.”
“Open it.”
Not really wanting to, I go ahead and open it. Might as well face the music, whatever it is.
Dear Olive,
I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be writing me any more letters. I was enjoying getting to know you. If you change your mind, Rita knows how to reach me.
Hopeful,
Thomas
Tears fill my eyes at the sweetness of his short note. Zoe sees my reaction and swipes the letter from my hands and reads it herself.
“Wow, this guy seems sincere. Are you sure you want to break it off with him?”
“I have to…”
“I hope Harrison is worth it because it sounds like Rita found you the match you were dreaming of.”
I chew on my bottom lip, considering her words.
I’ve been dwelling on those same thoughts for days now.
But after last night and this morning, I’m feeling more confident in Harrison than ever before.
He stayed the night just because he wanted to.
He ate my waffles even though I doubt he ever indulges.
He kissed me goodbye on his way out the door and made plans to spend the night again tonight…
there has to be something between us other than just the uncontrollable chemistry…
Right?
“I hope so too.”