“Can Olivia
meet us for lunch?” He trips his fingers over the keys. “Maybe at that place with the chicken burgers?”
That’s music to my ears on this Saturday morning.
I type out a quick text to her.
Alexander: Alvin misses you. He wants to know if you’re available for lunch, say in thirty minutes?
Her response is quick.
Olivia: Is it just your favorite nephew and I or are you crashing this party?
I laugh aloud, nodding at Alvin. “She’s in.”
“Yes,” he says with a pump of his fist.
Alexander: You want me there, Olivia.
Olivia: Cocky.
I type one word and press send.
Alexander: Confident.
“Can we leave for lunch now?” Alvin swings his legs over the piano bench. “I’m hungry.”
“Grab your coat.” I point to where both our coats are slung over the back of a folding chair. “Grab mine too.”
I type one last message to Olivia telling her where to meet us.
“Are you going to marry Olivia?” Alvin pushes my wool coat at me. “Mom says she’s perfect for you.”
His mom is right. Olivia is perfect for me.
Marriage isn’t on my mind. Moving in with her is.
“Time will tell.” Sliding on my coat, I pocket my phone. “Let’s see if we can beat her to the restaurant.”
He takes off at a run across the stage. “Hurry, Uncle Alex, I want to win.”
I already won. My life can’t get better than this.
***
“Are you coming to my mom’s birthday party?” Alvin asks after he finishes the last bite of food on his plate.
Olivia’s gaze volleys between his face and mine. “Your mom’s birthday party?”
Alvin gives her a brisk nod across the table. “It’s the same night Uncle Alex gets fired.”
Her hand leaps to her mouth to cover the broad grin.
“It’s my last performance as guest conductor, Alvin,” I clarify with a laugh. “No one fired me.”
“I’m not sure,” Olivia says tentatively, her gaze searching my face.
Dammit.