“That explains all the suits at the wedding. What kind of law does she practice?”
“Family. She’s a divorce attorney.”
Gus tilted his head to the side. “She’s a divorce attorney?”
“Yep.”
“And you’re running your grandma’s matchmaking business?”
“I am.”
“So you match people up and then she gets them unmatched. You’re like a full-service family.”
I hadn’t thought of it quite like that. But that was the beauty of Gus. He just thought a little more out of the box than most.
Gus did a double take to the side, then whispered under his breath, “Incoming.”
I glanced over and saw Kelly Sharpe walking toward me. She was wearing a low-cut red dress that would have had me double-taking if other women still existed to me. Since Olivia had walked, or I guess fallen, into my life, she was the only woman I saw.
“Good luck!” Gus slapped his hand on my shoulder before moving away from the bar.
Kelly Sharpe walked toward me, and I stood.
She placed her hand on my forearm and kissed me on the cheek before sitting down beside me. “Long time no see, stranger.”
“How have you been?” I asked.
“Good.” She tilted her head down to my left hand. “I like the new jewelry.”
I stretched my fingers out and tapped the bar. “Right, yeah.”
“I’m assuming that is the reason I got stood up.”
“I’m sorry about that. It’s just…things got serious quickly.”
“Apparently,” she chuckled before lifting her eyes to mine. “And you two are…happy?”
I wasn’t sure, but I felt like she wanted the answer to be no. But it wasn’t. At least, not on my part. With all of the uncertainty in my life, there was one thing I was certain about, and that was Olivia.
I nodded. “We are.”
“Then I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
Our talk turned to whether or not I had plans to play again, and who was taking over for Coach Graham. I spent the entire evening catching up with people I hadn’t seen in a year, or sometimes longer. I enjoyed myself, but something was missing.
Or someone.
Tonight didn’t feel complete because Olivia wasn’t by my side. And in eight short months, she wouldn’t be. Just like I hadn’t realized how much I loved playing until after I retired, I hadn’t realized just how attached I’d grown to Olivia until I was away from her.
I missed my wife, and I had no idea what to do about it.
41
OLIVIA
The sun was settingoutside the kitchen window as I reread the text that had just come through from Ben.