Hearts on a Page ~ Enemies to Lovers

Chapter 14: Thanksgiving Break

"You can keep looking out the window all you want, he's not gonna be here for another two hours," Lydia says, trying to stay her sweet self even as I'm annoying her.

"I know, I know," I repeat, pacing by the front window at Bennett's. "It's just- it's been over a week since we've seen each other and FaceTiming isn't the same."

I return to the vintage maroon couch where my friend resides and lay across it, letting my head lay in her lap. She plays with my hair as I give her a pleading look.

"I hate it, I'm turning into an annoying girlfriend. You're not like this, why are you not like this?"

"I am too like this," Lydia chuckles. "I just do it in my head instead of being so vocal because I know I'd never hear the end of it from you and Callie."

"You aren't wrong."

Lydia drops my hair and scoffs, to which I poke her in the ribs and we both start lying. It's the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I'm supposed to be working, but the store is dead because most of the locals are out of town for the holiday. Oliver is in Chicago, while Callie and Brayden both have family out of state, so it's always just Lydia and I during the break. We have our usual traditions of waking up early on the Thursday morning to see the sunrise and going Black Friday shopping together, but this break has been different. I've been able to ask Lydia all my relationship questions that have been bubbling up inside me for, I'm still new to the whole dating realm.

"Gosh, Oliver and I haven't even been together for a month and I already feel like it's been a year. What is time?"

"That's how it works. Time moves so much quicker when you're with someone who you care about."

"Damn, don't get so mushy, Lyd," I sit up. "Oh my, I'm sounding like Callie."

We're laughing when I hear the door open and I jolt up. Lydia follows and I'm filled with disappointment when it's just the mail. I walk around the stacks to collect it from the mailman and head to the back to drop it on Mr. Bennett's  desk while Lydia takes a seat at one of the chairs behind the counter.

"Want some tea?" I ask. 

"Sure. Chamomile?"

"You got it."

I head to the back and grab two disposable cups to fill with water. I place them in the microwave for three minutes. While I wait, I fiddle with my rings. Taking one off and then putting it right back where it was. I think I hear something coming from the front of the store, but I know Lydia would've called for me if it was urgent so I just ignore it.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The three beeps from the microwave inform me that the water is ready. I take the cups out, careful not to burn myself from the heat, and place a tea bag in each. Chamomile for Lydia and Lemon for me. I hold them carefully as I walk back to the front of the store, where I find Lydia grinning. I hand her her cup and her expression changes, but her red cheeks remain.

"What's up?"

"I think Giles might've knocked over some books in the Psychology section," She starts. "And I totally would go check, but seeing as you're the one who works here..."

"Oh whatever," I laugh. "I'll go look."

I head down to the Psych section, which is located to the right of the counter on the main floor of the store. I turn down and it looks normal, as if Giles was never there. It's when I turn around to return to the front of the store when I scream at the tall figure located at the end of the aisle. 

"Oliver!" I cheer, running into his arms where he spins me off the ground. When he puts me down I immediately start showering him with kisses.

"Nice to see you too, Morrison," he grins. "Didn't realize we were on a first name basis now."

"Wait," I pause. "You're flight had like another two hours. What are you doing here?"

"Flights land early and I wanted to surprise you."

"Well it worked. I'm surprised."

Hand in hand, we walk to the front of the store where Lydia is now standing in front of the counter and smiling mischievously.

"Were you in on this, Lyd?"

"No, nothing was formally planned. Just the moment five minutes ago when he snuck in while you made us tea."

"Thanks for not giving me away," Oliver said, wrapping his arms around my neck and resting his chin on my head.

"No problem," Lydia smiles. "Well, you two have some catching up to do and Brayden will be back tonight, which means he'll be having dinner with my parents so I have to go help. See you guys later."

We both said bye as she leaves the store and I turn around to rest my head against Oliver's chest.

"Why don't we do that? We should have dinner with our families."

"Morrison, if you haven't realized it yet, me and Tom aren't the best of buds."

"Yeah, but my parents can't do anything right, so maybe two negatives make a positive?"

"I for one think having dinner with Joy's family would be quite nice."

We immediately break apart at the sudden interruption, but the voice isn't a stranger to either of us.

"See, even your dad agrees," I say in regards to Mr. Bennett's words. "Why don't you guys come over tomorrow night?"

"We'd love to," Mr. Bennett smiles a genuine grin.

"Great, we'll see you at 7," I respond and Mr. Bennett returns to his desk.

"What are you thinking, Morrison?" Oliver says, as I pull him over to the couch where Lydia and I sat previously.

"I don't quite know," I respond. "But at least we'll go through it together."

"You're lucky you cute," he says, as I rest my head on his shoulder.

What were we in for?