Henods. “It’sfor an opening in theRiskManagementteam.IfIget the job,I’llbe analyzing what risks might be involved for our clients when they are considering buying another company or making a change in the way they do things.”Hechuckles. “I’mpretty sureIwas made for this job.I’vegot a certification and everything.”
“You’vegot a certification in not taking risks?”
Ollielaughs a big rumbling laugh andIlove it. “Well, when you’re as good at it asIam, they have to acknowledge it.SoIam officially aCertifiedRiskManager.”
“Okay, in all seriousness, that is awesome.Andyou think you’d like the job?”
“Ido.AndI’veworked in other teams with several people who are now on theRiskManagementteam, andIgot along well with them.I’vetalked to the team leader several times, too.He’sa really good guy.Ilikehim.Iapplied during lunch, and it was maybe thirty minutes later whenIgot a request from the team leader overRiskManagement.Heasked me to meet with him for an interview onMonday.Hesaid that he’s heard so many good things about me, was hoping thatI’dapply, and that he thinks my skills are being under-utilized whereIam.”
I’mso happy forOlliethatI’mpractically bursting.We’resitting side by side on the bench, so it’s easy to wrap my arms around him in a hug and say, “Ihope you get the job!”
Hegives me a really good squeeze back.Thenhe picks up one of the mini tacos, topped with salsa and guacamole, and says, “Thething is,Iwasn’t going to apply at all.Ididn’t thinkIwas good enough.Ifigured maybeIwould apply in another year or two.”
Iraise an eyebrow in question, then take a drink of the hot apple cider spiced with cloves and cinnamon sticks.
“ThenIthought about you saying my name begins and ends with ‘win,’ and that you believe in me.Yousounded like you knew what you were talking about, soIjust acted as if you were right.”Hegrins and then takes a bite of the taco.
Asmile spreads across my face. “Ihelped you summon the bravery to apply?”
Henods as he smiles, and it’s the most beautiful smileI’veever seen.
Weeat pumpkin spice funnel cake, grilled cheese on cinnamon raisin bread—which is unexpectedly delicious—and chocolate-covered bacon because how can you pass up chocolate-covered bacon?Whenwe finish everything, we put our garbage in the trash, and thenIlead him toward the artisan booths and say, “Okay, well,Ineed to tell you something you helped me to do.”
Wearen’t even all the way toRyleigh’sbooth when she calls out, “Hey, future booth partner!”
Ollie’shead whips around to look at me. “Youdecided to do it?”
“Idid.AndI’mgoing to do it my way, not the way thatI’vealways felt like it had to be done.”
“Iam so proud of you,” he says, in the most earnest way possible.Idon’t know when the last time was that someone told me they were proud of me, butIdidn’t know how badlyIneeded to hear it until now.
Andthen he wraps me in a hug and swings me around like he’s congratulating me becauseIwon the lottery or something.Andhonestly,Ikind of feel likeIdid.
Wego around and check out all the booths, stopping at every one that catches the attention of either of us.Afterwe see any booth where they did something that gives me ideas of howIwant to run the oneI’llshare withRyleigh, he lets me talk through it all.Andnot like he’s just humoring me.LikeI’mopening his eyes to a whole new world.
Ialso open his eyes to the world of pet clothing.Andnow, we are the proud owners of matching crocheted hats with little poms on top.OneforRoiand one forPrinceCharming.
Whenthe sun sets and the booth owners start closing everything up, we head over to the stream that runs through the south part of the park.Weset the bags with our purchases on the ground and stand under one of the red maple trees, holding hands, and watch the stream for a few minutes as it gurgles by.
Ican feelOllie’seyes on me, soIturn to him. “Whatare you thinking about?”Weare just inches apart.Closeenough thatIcan feel his warmth.
“Iwas thinking thatI’mgrateful forTad.”
Iraise an eyebrow. “Sketchy-accountant, pain-in-your-rear, annoying coworkerTad?”
Olliechuckles. “That’sthe one.Ifhe hadn’t been involved with shady clients and doing shady things for them, we wouldn’t have had the spy thing.Andif we hadn’t spied together,I’dprobably still be too nervous to ask you out.”
“So,”Isay, placing a finger on his chest, circling the moon on his very detailed sweater, “we should send him a thank you card.Somethingheartfelt.Oh,Ibet we can still catch the owner of that handmade cards booth.Wecan get one with extra glitter.Maybeeven talk her into selling us an extra packet of glitter to pour inside.”
“Absolutely.”Ollieclears his throat. “DearTad.Thankyou for your alleged criminal behavior.Ithas really improved my love life.”
Heputs his hands on my hips andIrevel in the feel of them there.Irespond by sliding my arms up to his shoulders, my fingers playing with the collar of his sweater. “AndhereIthoughtPrinceCharmingandRoideserved the credit since they orchestrated our meet-cute.Imean, ifCharmhadn’t chasedRoiup that tree, none of this would’ve happened.”
“True.Thankyou notes for them, too.”
“Wedo have the beanies we can give as a thank you.”
“I’mnot convinced thatRoiis going to see that as a gift as much asPrinceCharmingwill.Imight have to offer it along with some treats.But, as much asTad,PrinceCharming, andRoihad a part to play,Ithink we are missing the realMVPhere.”
