“You love her,” she says in understanding.
“Very much.”
“Tell her.”
“I don’t think it’s the right time,” I respond. “She’s dealing with so much.”
“There’s never a wrong time for love,” Mrs. Sonjia tells me. “You were put in her life for a reason; I just know it.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
She holds out her hand to me. I reach across my car window and take it. Her wrinkled hand is comforting. She squeezes mine. “You have a good heart, Hunter. Your dad would be proud of you.”
I draw my hand back at the statement, shocked by what she just said. I’m suddenly wondering if Mrs. Sonjia is psychic, whenshe laughs warmly. “Olive and I talk. She mentions you a lot more than you realize.” She winks at me. “Tell her.”
This push of confidence from Mrs. Sonjia is what I needed to make up my mind. Next time I see Olive, I will put my heart on the line.
Chapter 50
Olive
It’s almost closing and I’m cleaning some bar glasses when Tripp finally walks in. He heads straight to the office without even glancing my way. I’m surprised to see him here since it’s after midnight. I make eye contact with Rick across the bar, and he nods his head to me as if to say,it’s time.
Rick and Rob have been trying to psych me up all day for this conversation. Rob has already left for the night and Rick now cashes out with me quickly; he's the only customer left in the bar. I say my goodbyes to him as he walks out. Then, I set down the glass I’m drying, smooth down my hair, and inhale a deep breath.
“Okay,” I say to myself and push through the kitchen door.
Tripp has the office door shut when I approach, so I knock.
“Come in,” he murmurs from the other side. I open the door and when he sees me, he looks annoyed. “What?”
“I was, um, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?” I stumble over my words as I uncomfortably stand before him.
“Okay, I only have a few minutes. I’m just getting something off the computer for tomorrow morning for B&B Investments,” he tells me as he turns back towards the computer screen.
I walk in another step and stand awkwardly in the doorway. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Tripp turns in his chair to face me, looking disinterested. “Okay?”
Well, here goes nothing. “I want you to sell the bar to me instead of Mr. Cronline,” I blurt out. “I have the money, and you know your mom would rather me run the bar instead of it getting torn down. I know you hate this place, but I love it?—”
Tripp holds up his hand to stop me. “You have two million dollars laying around?”
Two million?
“Wait, what? No…I raised a million dollars, like you said it was selling for.”
Tripp lets out a cackle of a laugh. “Oh, Olive, no, sweetie. That was before. There’s been a lot of interest in this property.” He crosses his arms smugly. “Especially since people found out this place gave Freddie Finnely the inspiration for his books. Thanks for that info, it’s really helping the sale. Developers are saying this land is basically historic now. Who wouldn’t want to claim they live where the most famous YA author wrote?”
I can’t even believe what I’m hearing. “Wait, you knew I was trying to raise the money for the bar?”
“Of course.” He sneers. “People talk. I saw the info about Freddie Finnely on the news, for god’s sake. I started watching your little videos with your boyfriend after. I know what you've been doing this whole time; I honestly should fire you for filming atmybar without my consent.” He gives me a once-over. “There will be no need for that, though. I am going under contract with B&B Investments tomorrow morning at nine A.M. In thirty days, you will be jobless.”
My lungs feel like I can't even get air. I’m completely speechless. I stand still as a statue as he continues to mock me.
“I’m honestly surprised you worked up the nerve to even ask me for the bar. I’ve been waiting.” An evil smile pulls from his lips. “It’s cute that you thought you could do it.”
“Fuck you, Tripp,” I say with venom in my voice, and storm out of the office. “I quit.”
