Page 58 of Baby, It’s You (Clairesville #1)

Olive

Four months later

I t’s now July and I can’t believe the differences in my life over the past year. One year ago, I thought I was going to lose Whiskey’s and that there was no hope; now, I’m the owner.

I’m busier than ever at work, I’m still attending therapy weekly, and I even joined a book club that Missy runs at the library once a month.

I’ve made some new friends there, too. I’ve also hung out with Eddie’s sister, Leena, a few times and she’s a breath of fresh air.

She has never mentioned Hunter around me and I’m grateful for how insightful she is.

It’s nice to have more friends now, but I can’t lie and say I don’t miss Ivy desperately.

She’s living her best life in Atlanta, though, so I’m happy for her.

I plan to visit her around Christmas time, so we can spend the holiday together.

We FaceTime at least three times a week so we don’t miss anything that each other is experiencing.

She is kicking butt at the bridal salon and seems like she is in line to get a promotion soon. I couldn’t be prouder of her.

I’m also proud of the fact she has put herself first and hasn’t dated anyone.

For the first time in our friendship, she has been single for longer than a month and she said she’s learned to love herself again.

Last night we stayed up till 3 A.M on FaceTime, watching The Vampire Diaries together.

Our tradition that used to be centered around heartbreak is now just for fun.

We can feel close to each other from thousands of miles away, without it being about a man.

That said…she has told me that she sees a tremendous change in me numerous times, and that I should just try to reach out to Hunter, to see if he responds.

I picture him in that pizza place with the hot blonde girl every single time she encourages me to talk to him, and I just can’t do it.

I want him to be happy, and he looked happy with whoever that woman was.

I’m in my office writing checks for payroll when Rob knocks on the door frame.

“There’s someone at the bar asking for you.” He smiles at me.

“Who?” I question.

“Not telling. A friend of yours.” He raises an eyebrow and pushes away from the door.

I blow out a breath and back away from my desk chair, setting the checks down.

I give myself a quick once-over in the mirror and smooth down my simple black dress.

Every day I’m thankful I never have to wear that stupid uniform ever again.

Missy and I burned ours ceremoniously in the back dumpster after I was given the bar deed. I felt victorious after.

Tripp is still awaiting sentencing, but I have a feeling he will be behind bars for a long time, thanks to his crimes.

I guess it makes sense that he was trying to sell Whiskey’s off with no remorse, because he owed a lot of powerful men a lot of money.

He stole millions from businessmen who trusted him, and it seems like his plan was to get the money from selling the bar and flee.

Unfortunately, the life insurance money that his parents left him will probably all be used for legal fees and restitution.

Not unfortunate for his sake, but for his parents’, who were trying to provide for him, even after they passed.

I push through the kitchen door and see Wes standing across from me, smiling at the counter.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he jokes with me. “I miss that old uniform, though.”

I look down at my dress, and scoff sarcastically, “Well, thanks. Are you here to tease me or order something?” I put my hands on my hips playfully.

“My buddy is meeting me here for lunch. We were in the area skating and got hungry, so we decided to stop in. He will be here any second.” He smirks.

My breath hitches as he says this. What if it’s Hunter? Is he messing with me? I feel like he would just say it’s Hunter if he was coming. But he wouldn’t come here.

As my thoughts are spiraling, Eddie walks through the front door and I whoosh out a breath. I can feel Wes eyeing me quizzically as I greet Eddie.

Eddie slides onto a bar stool next to Wes.

“Were you expecting someone else?” Wes says, his eyes practically sparkling with mischief.

“Stop, Wes, don’t give her a hard time,” Eddie says. “Hey, Olive. How are you doing?”

“I’m great.” I smile at him and turn to Wes. “Yeah, don’t give me a hard time. I can throw you out.” I lean in and whisper, “I’m the owner now.”

“Oh yeah! I heard you're the big boss now, very exciting.” Wes nods and then murmurs under his breath, “And too busy to give Hunter a call, apparently.”

“Wes, I said stop .” Eddie gives him a serious look. “I just wanted to grab a burger and beer in peace. You told me you wouldn’t start something.”

“No, say what you want to say.” I cross my arms and look at Wes. “I can take it, I know I was a bitch.”

“Okay.” Wes stares back at me, challenging me.

“You really fucked up my friend. I have never seen him so in love in my life and you didn’t care about him as soon as your video project was done.

As soon as he couldn’t help give you what you wanted”—Wes motions around the bar—“you left him like it meant nothing.”

Eddie gives me an apologetic look, but I can’t fault Wes for being protective and angry over his best friend.

“Wes, I know it seems like I just left him for no reason, but I had a good one. My whole life fell apart, and I couldn’t have been a good partner to Hunter if I tried.

My head was not on straight. I had a lot of trauma from my childhood and I was terrified to love him.

” I feel myself getting choked up and I hate it, but continue, “By the time I was sure I could be a woman that deserves his love, it was too late.”

“What do you mean, too late?” Eddie asks.

“I saw him with a girl a few months ago. They looked cozy.” I shrug. “She was beautiful. I’m assuming a girlfriend.”

Eddie and Wes look at each other, completely confused.

Eddie speaks first. “Um, Hunter hasn’t dated anyone since way before he met you. I’m sure of it.”

“I saw him with her at Bricks, the pizza place.”

Wes bursts out laughing and then pipes up, “Was she blonde with huge boobs?”

“Uh, I guess?” I wince at the thought of that day.

“That was Savannah, the owner’s daughter,” Eddie says. “He shot a commercial for them. I’m sure he was there meeting with her about that.”

“Their body language seemed really into each other, though,” I say.

“Theirs, or hers ?” Eddie responds.

Wes adds, “Savannah has always been obsessed with him. Hunter has never liked her back. He’s just polite to her.”

I think back to the moments I saw them together, her brushing a hair away from his face, him getting up and heading to the bathroom shortly after.

Maybe I assumed he was into her, but I never saw his expression at the table.

Maybe he actually stepped away because he was uncomfortable.

His smile when I saw his face could’ve been professional, not genuine. I’m an idiot.

“So he doesn’t have a girlfriend?” I ask quickly.

“No,” Wes snorts, “he’s still madly in love with you.”

“Holy shit,” I say under my breath.

This changes everything. I want to run to him; I want to shout it from the rooftops that I love him. I want to profess my love in some grand gesture. My hands shake at my sides and I hug myself.

“He still loves me,” I say to myself.

“Yup.” Eddie laughs.

“I want to go see him, right now,” I tell them.

“Well, he’s out of town till tomorrow for a wedding he’s filming.”

That's when I get an idea. I don’t want to wait another second to tell him how I feel about him and a simple phone call won't suffice after everything we have been through.

“Eddie, you’re really good at tech stuff, right?” I ask.

“Uh, yes. Why?”

“I’m going to need your help.”