“Oooh.” Olivia’s eyes lit up as her eyes focused on the table. “Is this what I think it is?”
I chuckled. “Yep, it’s quark and chive spread. And it’s actually not bad. I may have gotten a little carried away with the quark dishes tonight.” I could have spent the day trying to work out how I could put some reasonable boundaries around my parents’ involvement in the farm, but instead I’d spent it creating flower arrangements and cooking Olivia a three-course meal centered around quark. I didn’t regret it, though. I could deal with my parents later. Right now, I just wanted to focus on Olivia.
We were just polishing off the quark soufflé when both our phones pinged.
Olivia raised her eyebrows. “It’s probably Blake, checking if we’re all still in for trivia on Thursday. She’s convinced if we all show up we’ll win this time.” She pulled her phone out of her bag on the floor and her eyes widened. “Oh shit, it’s Fred.”
I frowned. “Fred?”
I grabbed my phone from my pocket.
Roz, Olivia. Are you free to talk?
I looked at Olivia. “Are you okay if we call him now? I’m sorry, I know this is supposed to be a romantic evening but?—”
Olivia smiled. “Roz, it’s fine.”
My hands flew over my phone screen as I typed out a response.
We’re free now. Would you like us to call you?
Three dots pulsed on my screen.
Where are you?
I frowned. “That’s weird.”
We’re at the farm.
Is it okay if I come over?
“You think he means now?” I stared at Olivia, who’d been following the conversation on her phone.
She furrowed her brow. “It looks like it. Let’s say yes and see how he responds.”
Yes, you’re always welcome here.
Okay great, I’ll be there in a minute.
I blinked. A minute?
“Okay, wow.” Olivia put down her phone, pushed her chair back and stood up. “I guess he must have been messaging us from the parking lot.”
I rose to my feet. “I’m so sorry this is derailing our evening.”
Olivia walked over and placed her hand on the small of my back, smiling up at me. “Don’t worry about it. I’m as intrigued as you are to hear what he has to say.”
We walked inside, through the kitchen and down the hall. Heart racing, I clasped Olivia’s hand in mine. The comforting warmth of her hand spread up to my chest, soothing my pulse back to a more normal beat. As we reached the front door, a knock sounded. We exchanged glances and then I opened the door.
“Hi Fred.” I struggled to keep my voice calm and professional.
Fred ran his hand through his hair. “Sorry. I drove all the way from the city after work tonight, and then realized that I really shouldn’t just turn up on your doorstep unannounced.”
“No. Of course. Please, come in.”
I ushered him to the living room. Olivia and I sat on the cream couch, Fred lowering himself onto the matching armchair next to it.
I folded my hands together. “I’m glad to see you. I just want to apologize again for?—”
