26. Elliot
Chapter twenty-six
Elliot
Y ou’ve ignored her for too long, El. She leaves town in an hour, so you either come make amends or forget about any connection you had to her or to me.
With love, Julia
I stare at this message for over ten minutes, my heart racing with indecision. Olivia gave me three days to come back, and when I finally made up my mind, it feels like it’s already too late. What could I possibly say that would redeem myself in her eyes? A week has passed, and she probably hates me.
As I struggle to decide my next move, the door of my restaurant creaks open. “We’re not open yet, come—” The words catch in my throat as I look up to see Daniel standing there.
I haven’t seen him since the day of our fight, and I haven’t had a chance to apologize for anything. My palms suddenly feel sweaty as I take careful steps toward him, unsure if he’s here to hit me again for the pain I’ve caused his sister.
“You have time to talk? And I could really use a cup of coffee,” he says, the atmosphere thick with tension.
“Yeah, I’ll get you something,” I reply, turning on the coffee maker.
He comes to my side, tapping his fist against the counter rhythmically, the awkwardness palpable. “Umm, I just realized that I might have overreacted last time,” he admits, his tone unexpected.
“No, Daniel, you had every right to be mad. I was the one in the wrong,” I say, my voice laced with regret.
He nods in agreement. “Yeah, I felt the same way until I had to watch my sister suffer for days.” He glances away, his expression softening.
Knowing that Olivia was hurting feels like a dagger to my already wounded heart. “I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I wish I could take it all back and that Ollie and I never happened. But we did.” I bow my head, shame washing over me.
“I didn’t come here for an apology, El. I came here to know one thing. Do you love my sister?” His eyes search mine, demanding honesty, and I know I owe him that much.
“I do, Daniel. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone. I have no idea when or how those feelings started, but I’d willingly give my life for her.”
“Good,” he says, his tone firm. “Because she loves you too, and you’re going to follow me now and repeat those same words to her.”
I stutter in confusion. “I don’t understand. Julia said she was leaving today. I think I’m too late.”
“Leaving?” Daniel looks puzzled for a moment before realization dawns on him. “I think my wife might have been working a little trickery on you. But if you don’t tell Ollie how you feel now, that fake scenario might just become a reality.”
I race after him, shutting down the restaurant and hopping into his car as he drives off at full speed. My heart beats in a frantic rhythm, and when he pulls up in front of the house, I barely wait for the car to come to a stop before leaping out.
“Olivia!” I yell, bursting through the door and scanning the room until I spot her and Julia standing in the kitchen. She looks surprised, but I ignore the time we’ve spent apart as I rush into her arms, enveloping her in a desperate hug.
“I’m so sorry, babe. I’m sorry,” I mumble, but she slowly peels my arms away, searching my face for answers.
“Olivia, I’m sorry for letting you go and for taking so long to come back. I’m sorry it took me this long to realize that you’re my detour down unfamiliar paths, and I should never have been scared in the first place,” I say, a smile breaking through her confusion.
“Hold on, that’s a quote from my blog. How do you know that?” she asks, her brows furrowing.
“Because I’ve read every word you’ve posted over the past two years. I’ve memorized each post. Maybe that should have been the first clue about my feelings for you, but as my mother always says, I tend to be slow in that area,” I say, forcing a laugh that cracks under the weight of my emotion.
“You never asked me how I knew the dress you wore for prom, even though I never attended. It’s because I’ve been watching you, Ollie, crushing on you in ways my foolish heart was too scared to admit.” Tears well in her eyes as I share truths I’ve never revealed to anyone—truths I buried so deep I forgot they existed.
I don’t let the tears stop me. “I started cooking because of you, Ollie. I remember when this fourteen-year-old girl told me I made the best mac and cheese and that the entire world needed to taste it. You put this big dream in my head… No one else but you, Olivia Reed.”
Now the tears are streaming down my face. “I’m done pretending not to feel what I feel for you. I’m done hiding behind the shadows of hatred like a coward,” I say, sinking to my knees and taking her hands in mine. “Your love makes me vulnerable, but I’m not afraid anymore. I’m ready to take any leap with you. So here I am, on bended knee, begging you to love me again, Ollie.”
She struggles to form coherent words. “Elliot, I’m so… how can I—”
“All I need is your love, Ollie. Take my hand, and I promise to give you a happily ever after that any fairytale would envy,” I plead, and her eyes glisten with hope.
“Yes, I’ll love you forever, El,” she cries, throwing herself into my arms. I hold her close and press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
“I love you, Miss Olivia Reed,” I whisper, capturing her lips with mine until Daniel clears his throat.
I’d completely forgotten we had an audience. “I brought you here to apologize to my sister, not to watch you propose marriage!” he smirks, and Julia bumps him jokingly.
“It’s not a proposal yet until there’s a ring on her finger. He didn’t come with any,” Julia whispers loud enough for me to hear.
Wrapping my arms around Olivia’s hips, I respond, “Oh, that can be easily arranged.”
Julia pulls Daniel away. “Let’s get out of here before they make me gag.”
As they leave, I stare lovingly at Olivia, wondering if I truly deserve this miracle.
Indeed, even a rolling stone finds its way back home. I’ve found my home.