Chapter Thirty
Allison
Igenuinely wanted to help Ellen with Ty’s apartment yesterday, but I also wanted to get the scoop on Oliver. That might not have been the best plan because today I’m going crazy. I have four different projects in different stages and none of them are going well because my mind is constantly drifting to Oliver. I miss him so much, but I know he had to take care of his mom’s stuff. Then there’s Grant, who just admitted after five years that he wouldn’t mind if our business dinner turned into a social event. And on top of it all, I have the bar crawl to finalize. Or maybe three bars are good enough and I can be done. Then there’s Ellen, Oliver’s nice mother who is bar hopping with us. Can you say, cluster???
I’m currently staring at the email I’m sending out to the Pub Crawlers group letting them know the charity we picked, lung cancer, with a photo of the gray shirt with neon paint spots splashed on it. We’re starting at a black light bar to show off the shirts and then we’ll end up at Finnegan’s. I also mention that if anyone wants to pitch in and pick more bars, I’d appreciate it since I’m swamped and moody, but I don’t type the moody part. Then I hit send and decide I need some yoga time.
Just as I roll out the mat, I hear knocking on the door across the hall and check the peephole.
“Mom, open up. I’m here.” Oliver!
My heart takes over and I swing the door wide open and then run and jump on Oliver’s back. I smother his cheek with kisses and progress down his neck before nuzzling my nose into his shoulder. Did he start using new cologne?
“I missed you so much.”
“Uh, hello.” I drop down to my feet, and he turns, revealing a bewildered look.
“What’s with the face, Oliver? Didn’t you miss me?”
“Oh,” he starts to laugh. “You must be Ally.” He holds out his hand for me to shake but I slap it away.
“Oliver, I know we haven’t seen each other in a while, but you don’t have to act like you don’t know me.” I put my hand on my hip and stomp my foot with a pout.
Just then the door in front of us opens and Ellen squeals. “Ty! You’re home early!” He turns and hugs Ellen while I mentally dial the number for rent-a-forklift to help me pick my jaw up off the floor.
“Ty, I see you met Ally,” Ellen says. “Ally, this is Ty.” Now that I really look at him, the only differences I see are the tan and extra muscles. Everything else is Oliver staring back at me.
I cover my mouth with my hand and shake my head as I look him up and down, and Ellen laughs from behind him.
“I take it Oliver didn’t mention he had an identical twin.”
I remove my hand from my face. “No, he said brother but never said twin. Oh my gosh, I could die right now. I’m so sorry I jumped you.”
“I have to say it was quite a greeting. I just wish you weren’t already taken.” I blush.
“Stop flirting with your brother’s girlfriend,” Ellen admonishes and slaps him on the shoulder. Girlfriend?
“Ouch.” Ty shrugs his shoulder out of the way. “It was nice to meet you, Ally.”
“Nice to meet you too,” I say, trying not to gawk.
Ty turns back to his mom, and they walk into his apartment. I hang back, not sure I’m invited but they didn’t close the door, so I’m guessing it’s okay to follow them in.
“You cleaned! It looks so good in here.”
“Yes, your apartment is almost ready for clients.”
“Mom, you’re awesome. Thank you so much.” Ty scoops Ellen up in his arms and swings her around.
“You’re letting me live with you while the basement gets fixed, so I figured I’d earn my keep. Ally helped too.”
“What?” He spins around and looks at me. “No you didn’t.” He shakes his head in disbelief.
“Yep!”
“Wow, that was generous of you. I’m glad Oliver found this place. I think I already like my new neighbor.” I blush because I can’t form thoughts on what I’m feeling right now since I miss Oliver, and yet a guy who looks like Oliver is standing right here, and it’s all messing with my head.
“Me too. Now it will be easy to see all of you when I come to visit,” Ellen says.
“Let me drop my bags and take you both to dinner as a thank you.”
“I like the sound of that! I’ll go get dressed,” I say before hurrying into my apartment.
“I’m going to take a quick shower and then I’ll come get you,” Ty says from his doorway.
“I’m going to change too,” Ellen adds from behind him before I shut my door.
I take a quick shower, not washing my hair because I decide to curl it before dinner, and then finish getting ready just in time for Ellen and Ty to be knocking at my door.
“Hey, guys. Perfect timing. I’m all ready. Where are we off too?”
“Martino’s?” Ty asks.
“That was your father’s and my favorite restaurant,” Ellen says.
“I know. Is it okay if we go?”
“I would love to go and share a meal with you two. I just wish Oliver could join us.”
“Oh shit, I should have called him and told him I’m here early.”
“It’s okay. He said he had writing to do since he’s behind from helping out at the house. It will give us time to catch up, and you can get to know Ally,” Ellen says, giving me a look. I feel like she knows something but doesn’t want to betray Oliver’s trust.
Ty holds out his arms, and Ellen and I link our elbows with his as we walk out to the curb and hail a cab.