Chapter 21
Twenty-One
“We want to go with package B,” Vera Blackwell, the president of the PTA, said. “There are a few staff members who’ll need special meals. Here’s the list of what we’ll need.”
Liv reviewed the list before adding it to the folder for the staff appreciation lunch, for which the PTA was hiring Ocean View Catering to provide the food.
“That won’t be a problem. Let me get our menu, and we can finalize your order.”
Behind her, the door opened, and Liv knew she’d see Emma when she turned around.
“Wow, those are beautiful,” Vera said, confirming Liv’s suspicion. “I wish someone would send me flowers. Whoever sent them must really care about you.”
Emma placed yet another vase full of flowers on the table. “I keep telling her that. Every few days for almost a month, he’s sent her flowers.”
“That’s so sweet. But don’t expect it to last. Simon used to send me flowers all the time when we started dating. Now I only get them on my birthday and our anniversary,” Vera said.
Liv had expected the first bouquet to be a one-time occurrence, a single attempt to change her mind, and when she didn’t rush back to him, he’d give up.
Today’s roses were the twelfth bunch. Flowers weren’t the only thing he sent either.
Every afternoon at two, a latte and a snack from Hometown Brews arrived.
While the snack varied, a note was always included with it.
“Thanks for delivering them. I’ll talk to you later.” Liv didn’t want another lecture from Emma, period. But she certainly didn’t want one in front of Vera. The woman loved to gossip, and Liv didn’t want to be the next topic discussed in the produce section.
“Here are the options available for package B.” Liv handed Vera the binder as she sat.
“Aren’t you going to open the card?” Vera asked.
She didn’t need to. The previous ones had all said the same thing. Today wouldn’t be any different.
“I’ll do it later. If you look at page 3, we have the vegetarian options listed.”
Fifteen minutes later, her afternoon latte arrived as Vera headed out. On Friday, she’d found an oversized chocolate chip cookie in the bag; today, she pulled out a cinnamon bun and, of course, a note.
Thinking of you. Hope you’re having a good day. Love Matt.
Liv couldn’t figure him out. When he left her apartment, he’d told her this wasn’t over.
She’d assumed that meant he’d return in a couple of days and try to change her mind.
When he couldn’t, he’d drop the issue and return to Florida or wherever he planned to spend the rest of the summer.
When the weekend came and went and she didn’t even get a text from him, she’d decided he’d rethought everything and realized she was right.
Then on Monday, Emma showed up with a dozen roses.
Liv’s first thought had been that Seb sent them.
She’d been speechless when she opened the card and saw Matt’s name.
Later in the day, when the latte and scone showed up with a note, she’d chalked the deliveries up to Matt’s single attempt to change her mind.
And for the rest of the day, she’d waited for him to call or stop by. Neither happened.
Although he hadn’t come to her apartment or visited her at work, she’d seen him.
The day after he had given her the first dozen roses, he came into the restaurant with his brother while she was working.
He’d come in again last week too. On neither occasion had he brought up their relationship.
Instead, he’d eaten his meal and left like any other customer.
Unable to resist, she retrieved the card with the flowers. Thinking of you. Love Matt.
What’s your game plan?
Emma came through the door as Liv put the card back down. “So, what does today’s card say?”
“Please, like you don’t already know.”
“I didn’t work this morning. I had a doctor’s appointment, so Mom took the order.”
Liv checked the card again. Emma had a distinct way of writing the letter T, and it was absent on the card. “Read it yourself.”
“Has he called?” Emma accepted the card without hesitation.
Liv stacked up the binders on the table. “Nope.”
“You should call him. At least to thank him for the flowers and daily lattes.”
She’d already had that argument with herself. Each time, she convinced herself it was better not to. “I’ll think about it.”
“It’s weird.”
“What’s weird?” Removing the cover, Liv sipped the latte and then offered Emma half of the cinnamon roll.
“He sends flowers and lattes, so he’s clearly thinking about you, but he doesn’t call or visit. Why?”
“He’s bored.”
“Maybe he wants you to make the first move, or maybe this is his way of reminding you he’s still here and not leaving.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It makes more sense than he’s bored.”
“How about we agree to disagree.” Liv didn’t want to argue with Emma, especially not about Matt’s motives.
“Okay, I need to go anyway. Brian and I are going to the fair tonight. You’ll be there, right?” Emma helped herself to the half of the cinnamon roll she’d turned down moments ago.
Every year in mid-September, Orchard Harbor held a fair, which started on Friday night with an antique car show and ended on Sunday night with fireworks.
Since today was Saturday, the festivities had kicked off with a 5K road race and a parade.
Tonight would be the usual concert in the park.
Throughout the three days, vendors sold a wide range of items, from jewelry to homemade soaps.
Food trucks were always on hand, and the local dance school always performed.
As far as Liv could recall, she’d never missed the event.
“I don’t know. I think I might skip.”
“Wrong answer. Besides, where else can you get a deep-fried Snickers?”
She did love the unusual treat, but that didn’t mean she felt like dealing with the crowds tonight.
“I’m not really in the mood to go.”
“Liv, we’ve been going together forever. This year isn’t going to be any different. Either you meet me and Brian there, or we’ll come to your apartment and drag you there.”
Emma wasn’t wrong. Plus, she wasn’t joking about coming to her apartment. If she didn’t agree to go, Emma and Brian would show up and refuse to leave until she left with them.
“Fine. I’ll go. Where do you want to meet?”
Liv intentionally arrived at the fair early so she could get in a little shopping before she met up with Emma and her boyfriend.
And since the only place she’d ever found licorice-scented candles was at the fair, she made that vendor her first stop.
After making several more purchases, including a pair of handmade earrings, Liv made her way toward the food area—a task made difficult because everyone she knew seemed to be between her and her final destination, the food truck selling gyros.
“I never looked at the newsletter. Do you know who’s performing tonight?” the woman in line behind her asked her companion.
Every year, the town sent out a newsletter that listed all the information about the fair. Since Liv came regardless of what was scheduled, she hadn’t opened it.
“Back Bay.”
The committee had tried to book Back Bay last year, but they’d already committed to an event, so Ultimate Survivor performed. While a good band, she much preferred Back Bay. Many people, including her, believed it was just a matter of time before the band made it big.
Food in hand, Liv headed toward the old library where she had agreed to meet Emma and Brian for the concert.
Every other step she took, though, someone seemed to stop her.
Some just wanted to say hello and catch up.
Others, like Linda McCarthy, wanted the 411 on Liv and Matt’s relationship.
Linda, like so many others, had seen the pictures earlier in the summer.
While other people in Orchard Harbor might also be curious, most minded their own business.
Not Linda. Tonight, to avoid answering, she’d claimed to be running late and unable to stand around and chitchat.
Liv didn’t know if Linda believed her, but if she heard a rumor circulating tomorrow, she’d have her first suspect.
Somehow, despite the crowd that was growing by the minute and the constant interruptions, she made it to the library before her friends.
“OMG. Jared just asked me to the homecoming dance,” a blonde, who Liv guessed was sixteen or seventeen, said to her friend with pink hair. The two of them sat in front of the former library, eating french fries.
“The goalie from the soccer team?
“Yes. What should I say?”
Liv remembered similar conversations with her friends. Clearly, the people changed, but the events remained the same.
“Are you really asking me that?”
Yup, some things never changed.
“Sorry we’re late. The line for barbecue moved super slowly, and then we ran into Isabella. You know what that’s like.” Emma said.
Oh yes, she knew.
“I think I saw Matt when we got here.”
“It’s a free world. He’s allowed to come.” Liv would never admit she’d scanned the crowd a few times since she got here, looking for him.
“You should go see him. I know deep down you want to.”
“Not now. I just want to enjoy the concert.”
Emma opened her mouth as if to speak but snapped it shut after Brian nudged her.
A crackling came from the speakers positioned behind them. Darlene Weber’s voice came from the device a moment later.
“Good evening. I hope everyone is enjoying this year’s fair. While I have everyone’s attention, I want to thank the planning committee. Your hard work and dedication make this event possible. And now it’s time for my favorite part of the weekend. Please help me welcome Back Bay to the stage.”
Applause erupted from the crowd as the band took the stage.