The Pickup (Imperfect Love 1)

“I miss you, Olivia,” my dad says. “I would really love to see you, even if it’s only for a week.” Six months after my mom died, I turned eighteen and received my inheritance. I made the decision to leave New York and attend college in Paris. My mom was from there, and I wanted to spend some time seeing for myself all the stories she used to share of her childhood in France. And if I’m honest, I needed some distance from the home I grew up in. My mom was my best friend, and losing her hurt my heart beyond belief. Everywhere I went, it reminded me of my mom and the fact that I would never see her again.

So, I moved to Paris to attend college, which is where I met my best friend, Giselle Winters, my freshman year. She had a horrible flat mate and was looking to move. I had an extra room, and we hit it off immediately. A bachelor’s and master’s degree later, and we’ve created a home here. I never thought that six years later I would still be living here, but I love it, and so does Giselle. The funny thing is, we’re both from New York, but because we’re from different areas, we never met until we were going to school in Paris.

“Are you excited to be starting your new job?” I ask my dad.

“Yeah, I am. I loved coaching college ball. I’ve been doing it for the last fifteen years. But I’m excited to take this team on. You know I love a good challenge.”

“Yes, I do.”

“How is Victor?” And this is the part of the conversation that I’ve been dreading. I don’t lie to my dad. I don’t keep secrets from him.

“We broke up.”

My dad is silent for a moment before he asks, “What happened?”

“He was offered a job in Geneva.”

“Switzerland?”

I laugh softly. “Yes, Switzerland. He didn’t ask me to go. Not that I would have…but he didn’t even ask. Didn’t even consider me when making his decision.”

“He’s a dumbass.”

I love that my dad always has my back. “It hurts. I gave him three years, and he gave me a thirty-hour notice he was moving out.”

“I bet Giselle is thrilled,” he points out.

“She is.” Giselle and Victor never got along. Last year, after dating Victor for two years, he suggested we move in together. My flat was the obvious choice. Giselle swears he only asked so he could crash somewhere in luxury. She might’ve been right, especially since he made more excuses than not to keep from contributing on a monthly basis.

“All right, well, you talk to Giselle, because I know you won’t be coming here without her, and let me know the dates. I’ll make sure I’m available to you. We can stay at the house in the Hamptons. It will be great.”

“Sounds good, Dad. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

* * *

It’s our last day in New York. We’ve been here for nine days. Five of them spent at our beach house in the Hamptons, two of them exploring all the museums I love to visit while here—during which time my dad mentioned a million times I could do the same job I’m planning to do in Paris, here in New York. Yesterday was spent at the spa with Giselle, Corrine, and her daughter, Shelby, who is in town visiting from Connecticut, where she lives with her father and his family.

Earlier today, I met my dad for breakfast, and then I spent the rest of the day doing some shopping since he had to attend a meeting for work and Giselle was visiting with her family. Tonight, Giselle and I are meeting my dad, Corrine, and Shelby at a new club my dad heard about.

After we’ve perfected our hair, makeup, and outfits, we walk the few blocks over to Club Envy. I’m about to call my dad to see where we should meet them when my phone pings with an incoming text. It’s from Shelby, letting me know her dad needed her to babysit for him and her stepmom, so she had to drive back early. She says she’s going to try to come back tomorrow for breakfast. I text her back that it’s okay and if she can’t make it I understand. Her dad relies on her a lot to help with her half-siblings.

Just as I’m swiping out of the message, my phone rings.

“Hey, Dad! We just got here. Where are you guys?”

“Hey honey! I’m at home. Corrine thinks she might’ve gotten food poisoning from the sushi she ate earlier. She’s been hugging the toilet for the last hour.”

“Oh, no! Do you want me to go over there?”

“No, no. You should still go to the club and have a good time. I heard it’s all the rage.” I laugh at my dad trying to sound cool.