My days are filled with lots of work, and Linda has been praising Skyler and me for keeping up with the workload, even though Eric is gone. Skyler rolled her eyes after Linda walked away, saying we’d been doing his work from the beginning. But it’s nice to know that our hard work has been recognized.
Wednesday morning, I sit down at my desk to find a hot coffee waiting on me, a note beside it. Oz had to come in early for a meeting, so it was Paige, Captain and me walking into work today.
Picking up the note, I recognize his impeccable handwriting and a stupid grin spreads across my face.
This is almost as sweet as you, and almost as hot.
I can still smell you on my fingers.
Love, Oz
My face burns so brightly I think I might set off the smoke alarms. Jesus. How can a few words send me into a state of molten need? He’s too good at melting me. Grabbing my phone, I shoot him a quick text.
Me: Thank you for my coffee, and for making me blush.
His response is immediate, making my goofy grin even bigger.
Oz: It’s my life’s goal. To worship you and make you smile.
Me: Success!
Oz: I’ve mentioned this before, but every Wednesday I have lunch with my mother. I’d like for you to join me today, Mallory. Please.
I pause with my fingers over the letters, unable to come up with a response. He’d asked me once before all the drama happened, and I thought it was a joke. This is a big step. Meeting his mother? Am I ready for that?
Oz: You’re my life forever, baby. I’d like for her to meet the woman I’ve been telling her about.
That snaps me out of my haze.
Me: You’ve been telling her about me? What did you say?
Oz: How incredibly smart you are, and how stunningly beautiful. And how we promise to give her 10 grandchildren.
Me: 10?! You did not say that!
Oz: You should probably come to lunch and correct me then.
I shake my head smiling, and then give in. I know what I feel for Oz, and I know what he feels for me, even if we haven’t said the exact words out loud. He’s it for me, so I know it’s going to happen at some point.
Me: Okay.
Oz: You continue to make me the happiest man alive.
I send a kiss emoji and place my phone on my desk. I smooth my hands down my light blue linen dress. Summertime in New York is hell on heat, so I wore something that was cooler, but now I’m wondering if it’s appropriate for meeting Oz’s mother. An off-white ribbon ties around the waist and I absentmindedly adjust it. I’m wearing cream wedges and my hair is pinned up, now that the freaking hickey has faded on my neck. Thank God, I never would have agreed if that thing was still there.
Taking a breath, I try to relax. It’s going to happen at some point, so it might as well be today. And I’m wondering if Oz didn’t mention it until now so that I didn’t have enough time to change my mind. He knows me far too well.
Skyler comes in wearing a royal blue blouse and white, high-waisted slacks that cling to her slim legs. She’s got her stick-straight dark hair pulled back in a severe ponytail and greets me as she hangs her bag up.
Leaning over our cubicle wall, she looks at me. “Who died now?”
I laugh because I swear she’s said that to me every day before Oz and I finally settled all our drama.
“No one yet.” She cocks her head to the side and I continue. “I’m meeting the mother.”
Skyler makes a sound only dogs can hear and does a kind of happy-clap jump. I don’t know how she does it in her shiny black stilettos, but I roll my eyes and try to bite back a laugh.
“I don’t usually go all girlie, but this is exciting news.” She walks around the wall and sits on the edge of my desk, putting her fists under her chin like an expectant child waiting on a story, and that makes me burst out laughing.
“Shut up! You’re supposed to be the friend that doesn’t care.” I playfully knock her arms out from under her.
“I’m trying to be supportive,” she says on a fake huff, and walks back to her side of the cubicle. “Hey.”
I look up and see her watching me.
“That’s really a big deal, and also really cool that he’s asking you to.” She shrugs a shoulder like it’s hard for her to get serious about our personal lives. “I think if he’s good enough for you, then you should give it your all.” With that, she moves back away from the wall.
I take a sip of my coffee. Unsurprisingly, it’s exactly how I like it. A lot of cream, a lot of sugar and a dash of cinnamon.