Page 58 of Second Chances

“So, what furniture are you looking for?” she asked him when they parked at the first store.

“Basically everything to fill the house,” he answered with a chuckle. “My mother purchased the stuff currently in the house. I’d like to get rid of everything.”

“Everything?” Her dark eyebrows shot up.

“Yeah,” he agreed. “It’s all outdated and some of it is even falling apart.”

“Okay, so…” He saw she was thinking about it. “Four bedrooms’ worth of furniture?”

“Four bedrooms, a dining room, and an office. “And if I’m going to redo the loft above the garage, I’ll need to come up with stuff for up there as well. But that can come later. For now, four bedrooms, an office, and a dining room.”

“Easy enough,” she said, and he followed her into the furniture store.

Three hours and several thousand dollars later, they walked out of the third furniture store with everything he needed to fill the home purchased and scheduled for delivery.

“I don’t know how you did it,” he said, opening her car door for her. “You’re simply amazing.” He kissed her before letting her climb into the driver seat.

They had been an incredible team when it came to shopping. At first, he hadn’t known what sort of items he wanted to put in his home. He’d looked at several assorted styles until he finally found the style he liked best. He would continue the beach vibe with soft grays and beechwoods with light blue accents.

Light and airy was how Olivia described it. “The perfect beach vibe, and comfortable and homey. Not too feminine and not to bland,” she’d said, which he had taken as a good sign, so he’d stuck with it.

“I’ve never been called amazing because of my shopping skills before,” Olivia joked as she started the car.

“How about we get some food?” he suggested.

“I could eat.”

“Know of any good places around here?”

“Several. It depends on what you’re in the mood for,” she said as she started to drive.

His mind instantly jumped to his desire for her. How he’d missed touching her, tasting her, being with her. Not just in the physical sense, but in the whole. Everything about her. He wanted to laugh with her and not have this… bubble between them.

When she pulled in at a Thai place, he glanced over at her. “Thai It Up?” He chuckled at the name of the restaurant.

She looked over at him. “Is this okay? It’s not often I get to indulge.”

“I love Thai. It’s just… I didn’t think there were any good places around,” he said as he got out of the car.

“This is it. The only good place within fifty miles,” she said as he took her hand and walked towards the door.

“Then we’ll have to come into the city more often.” He opened the front door for her.

The woman behind the counter smiled. “Welcome back, Miss Olivia.”

“Thanks, Malee. This is Todd,” Olivia said as the woman showed them to a booth.

“Mr. Todd, welcome,” Malee said as she motioned to the booth. “This okay?”

“Yes, thanks, Malee. How is Sunan? How was his first year in college?” Olivia asked as they sat down.

“Oh, he did good. All A’s.” Malee’s smile grew. “So proud.”

“Is he back for the summer?” Olivia asked.

“No, his first summer, he is taking classes still. He wants to get ahead.” The woman poured them each a glass of water.

“Sunan is going to Harvard,” Olivia told him. “He’s sixteen.”