Loving Oliver

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ０７ Ｌｏｖｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ Ａｐｒｏｎ】

Chapter 07 Loving the Apron

I woke up at 5:00 am and was showered, dressed, stretched from yoga and headed downstairs in search of breakfast and peace of mind. With my journal and cellphone in hand I slide them onto the island and grab a piece of fruit from the fruit bowl before I check out the sunrise from the sliding glass door. It's stunning truly. The yellows and oranges stretch across the blue sky hinting at another sunny day. I release a yawn that I've kept at bay because last night was tough.

I sleep like I did every night after Ollie's accident.

Like shit.

I grab an apple biting into it and open my journal and began writing. I free write for almost an hour getting lost in my thoughts as I drift away to another place, another time. I've filled pages with words, stanzas, and memories I couldn't share anymore.

I felt better.

"Good morning. I'm surprised to see you up so early. I figured you wouldn't be awake until noon at the latest." Sam greets me entering the kitchen already dressed in a distressed pair of blue jeans and cotton t. He pairs them with another pair of sneakers, and I can't help but notice our similarities.

I grabbed a black cotton t shirt this morning and matched it with some blue jeans and my beat-up vans that Ollie decorated with a hand drawn miss pacman on the front. We had unintentionally matched.

"I normally get up early. I'm more of a morning person than a night person." I offer leaving out the growing insomnia that has become a familiar partner in my bed.

"Me too. I'm a morning person. I didn't use to be but the restaurant's kept me at more morning hours than late hours." Sam replied taking out a glass from the cabinet and orange juice from the fridge. 

I nod before hopping down from the stool and tossing my apple core into the trash can.

I sit back up onto the chair settling myself in front of my journal as Sam faces me. He offers me a glass of orange juice.

"Yes please. Tell me this is the sugary stuff." I accept greedily. Mom. Never allowed this stuff into the house and I missed it. Ollie and I would sneak off to the store after school and grab a whole bottle of this and split it between us.

"Of course, it is. It's my guilty pleasure. Owen hates the stuff but it's my morning pick me up since I can't make a decent up of coffee to save my life." Sam replies before rolling his eyes at the mention of Owen.

"I can make a mean espresso. I dare say it can reveal any New York coffee house." I reply feeling a little cocky at my mad coffee skills.

I watch Sam as his lips curl into a soft smile. I join him without giving it a second thought.

"I have a new espresso machine at the restaurant that I haven't used yet. It's supposed to diversify our breakfast and lunch crowds, but Aspen hasn't unpacked it yet. Care to give it a try?" Sam offers leaning onto the island facing me.

A brand-new espresso Machine.

Fuck Yes.

"Yeah sounds good. What time do we leave?" I reply standing up and finishing the rest of the orange juice and taking it to the sink to wash.

"Right now, if your game. I'm in need of coffee and it's that or drive across town for Starbucks. And I prefer the one at my place." He answers back before he gulps the rest of his juice down too. He widens his eyes waiting for my reply and I don't wait a second to respond. I was ready to start my day and put my dreams behind me.

I reach out in offer of his glass and he gives it to me hesitant. I turn back to wash his and then dry. My hands on the dish towel.

"Okay sounds good. Let me grab my cardigan and put my journal away." I reply before slipping past him and grabbing my things from the counter.