Chapter Nineteen
Oliver
As we walk to get coffee, I realize I’m completely and utterly falling in love with this bold, funny, incredible woman. I hold the door open, and the waft of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods invade my senses. I let her walk in first and she holds her hands up to form a heart at the barista.
“What was that?” I laugh.
“Oh, Katelyn and I have hand codes when she sees me walk in. I always hold up two fingers when Morgan joins me, so now that there are still two of us, but you aren’t Morgan, I make a heart, so she knows it’s my boyfriend and not Morgan with me.”
“Boyfriend?”
“What can I get you?” Katelyn asks me before I can get an answer from Ally.
“Medium mocha latte, please.” I turn back to Ally.
“Yeah, why not?” She shrugs. “I think you can say after last night we’ve gotten to a new level in our relationship.”
I can’t hide the joy I feel and agree. “I will admit that I will never think of that movie in the same way ever again. I couldn’t be happier that you want me to be your boyfriend, but I thought you didn’t want to rush into labeling anything.”
“I didn’t, but now I do.” She bops my nose with her finger and walks to the other end of the counter.
“I’m glad you do.” I give her a quick kiss, a smile undeniably forming on my face.
We grab our coffees from the pickup counter and walk to Ally’s table at the front of the cafe to sit.
“Now that we have our relationship status settled. Tell me more about your brother.” She holds onto my free hand while taking a sip of her coffee.
“When I moved to the city to write, Ty moved to California to start his personal training business. Now he wants to open a place here for when his celebrity clients travel back and forth between the coasts. I’m so excited he’s coming back. I can’t wait to introduce you two. You’re going to love him.”
Ally releases my hand and starts to fidget with the cup sleeve on her coffee, “What’s his name again?”
“Ty.”
I notice her shoulders relax and she sits back in her chair. “So, when does he get here?” She nervously fiddles with her hair.
“In about a week or so. He doesn’t have a set date since I’m helping him. He’s going to work out of his apartment and then will look for a retail space when he gets here. I was lucky to have run into that realtor so I didn’t have to traipse all over the city looking for a place. And it’s going to be convenient having you guys in one building.”
“Yes, that will be fun.” Her words are light, but her body language is off.
“Everything okay? You suddenly seem tense.”
“Yep, I’m perfect.” She raises her cup as if to toast. I decide to let it drop for now and give her free hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Enough about Ty. Let’s talk about you and me. I was thinking about coming over tonight and giving you a massage.” Her demeanor suddenly changes and a big smile spreads across her face.
“Oh, I’d like that very much, boyfriend.” She wiggles in her seat.
“How about I order us some dinner and then get you naked, girlfriend?”
“I think I could get behind that plan.”
“It’s a date. Let’s get back. I’ve got to start setting up the apartment.”
“And I’ll get everything prepped for tonight.” She winks.
I walk her back to her apartment and then go across the hall to Ty’s. Thankfully everything was well-labeled, and the big equipment is already placed where it needs to be to match Ty’s mapped-out floor plan. I would have never been able to move it on my own. I clap my hands and rub them together as I decide where to start. I’ll tackle the gym area since that’s what he’ll need done first. No one will need to go back into the bedrooms. However, knowing Ty, maybe I should do his room first. I laugh to myself and decide to stay with the original plan and start with the gym.