Last Olive Bistro ✓

Chapter 21: Accident

I moseyed around the mall in search of some new clothes to take on the trip with Jacob; ones that counted as 'investments' as Rory put it. He insisted that I buy new lingerie, but since he wasn't with me on this shopping excursion, I put that idea at the back of my head. I needed better summer clothes and an outfit decent enough to sleep in. I couldn't run off on a nice vacation and wear ripped t-shirts to bed.

God, this is really happening.

The racks of pretty pajama sets were folded neatly on the table of a small boutique. A white silk pair of shorts and matching top looked beautiful, and were perfect for the season, but I worried if they looked too... bridal.

"Excuse me," I grabbed the attention of an associate. "Do you have this set in pink or gray?"

She looked over the pieces and scanned one of the tags on a handheld device. "Hmm, we had pink, but it looks like we only have that one left in white."

I picked up the set and examined it again. It was striking—a simple white satin that would show off just enough.

"I'll try it on," I caved.

Over an hour later, with two dresses, two shorts, and three tops purchased (plus the pajama set), I was prepared for the trip, and I was going to look great.

Shit, I forgot.

I ducked into a quiet hallway that led to the mall offices; not a soul was in sight. It was a relief to get a moment of peace from the hectic mall atmosphere with loud teenagers and stressed out tourists. I pulled out my phone and swiped to call Jacob, which I forgot to do the night before.

"Hey, Chloe," he answered. "What are you doing?"

"Hey. I was just out shopping. I'm sorry I didn't call you last night—I got my time off!"

He chuckled on the other end. "I'm really glad to hear that."

"Then, will you be in tonight?" I asked, grasping the phone and hoping he would be.

"I think so," he replied, and I could hear the sly smile across his lips as he spoke. It was becoming all too familiar.

I hesitated with my next question. "What did you mean when you said it depended on if I got the time off?"

There was a short pause and a muffled exhale from Jacob. "Oh, that. I thought I wouldn't bother you if you were approved for it, but now I kind of want to see you."

My cheeks blushed and I was thankful that he couldn't see my girlish reaction. "But what if I hadn't been approved?"

He gave a longer pause. His voice became a single pitch deeper, more serious, but he tried to conceal it with a laugh in the beginning. "I would have made sure you got it."

I paced a few steps back and forth, confused by the cryptic answer, but then it came together inside my head.

"No, Jacob. You wouldn't need to talk to Angela. She can't be talked to anyway."

I felt guilty that he would do something bold like that for me. Taking on Angela was near impossible—once she said her piece, there was no turning back on her end.

"She doesn't intimidate me," he said in a joking tone. His voice brightened back up. "All that matters is you got it. Are you happy to be coming with me?"

"Of course!"

"Good, I think you'll have fun up there," he said. "Well, Chloe, I'll see you tonight for my favorite drink and favorite girl, yeah?"

My legs suddenly lost all their feeling and I stopped, wobbly like cooked spaghetti noodles. I choked out a dumb reply of, "Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing you, but not to go to work."