Page 120 of The One I Need
“You would be amazing over here. Hell, you’d probably lap us back in Nashville in no time. But as your friend, I want you to come back home. But unfortunately, friend Hazel has to take a back seat. Because if I didn’t offer you this job and let you make this decision, then I’d not only be a horrible boss, I’d be a horrible friend as well.”
Shit, I really don’t know what to say. On one hand, I did enjoy this work. I enjoyed being the leader. And in fact, I kind of kicked ass at it. That feeling isn’t something you can replicate easily.
Yet, as soon as I start thinking about that, Oliver’s face comes to the forefront of my mind. His smile, his eyes…the way he always knows what to say to make things seem okay. How he puts corny music on my phone to make me smile at random times. How he always knows what I need before I do.
Hazel saved my life at one time. But Oliver brought me back to life. And yes, I could ask him to come over here and do this with me, but that’s not where I see us. I see us in a house with a yard. Maybe a pool and an area to have everyone over. I want his summer vacations to be filled with travel and adventures. I want our days and nights to be filled with more love than I ever thought I was capable of having. Hell, I’ll even learn about football and go to his games. I bet sitting next to Betsy would make it really fun.
I want the real wedding. I want to walk down the aisle and see Oliver, after Magnolia and Simon paved the way with flower petals. I want to laugh and drink and celebrate our life together. I want to love him. I want him to love me. I want to show him all of the love that I know I have to give, that at one point I didn’t think I had.
And I want to do it where we first fell in love.
I never thought in a million years my decision would be this easy. In another life, I would have killed for this kind of job. I would have been on a plane before Hazel could officially transfer me. But I’ve had this experience. I got to say I did it, and I’m proud of what I did.
Now I want the chance to see where love can take me. Because I bet it’s farther than any ocean.
“Thank you for the offer, I’m truly flattered,” I begin. “But, if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to come back to Nashville. Maybe even move a little closer to you. I kind of miss my husband.”
Hazel literally jumps on top of me for a hug. “Wow. What would you have done if I would have said I’m staying here?”
She lets me go and reaches for something in her pocket. “I would have been happy. And I would have given you the note that’s in my left pocket.”
I give her a questioning look, because I don’t know if the time change is messing with her, but I’m downright confused. “What’s this?”
Hazel just smiles at me. “Open it.”
I do as she says, and as soon as I read the first word, I burst into tears.
"True love is your soul's recognition of its counterpoint in another."
– John Beckwith, Wedding Crashers
I shoot up from the couch and look around. “Where is he?”
Hazel tilts her head toward the offices. “I think if you head that way you’ll find him soon enough.”
I don’t even say goodbye. I just start running. I’m sure everyone is looking at me funny, but I don’t care. I need to see my husband.
I turn the corner, and as soon as I do, there he is. Every office light is off except for mine. That’s how I can see Oliver in the middle of my office, down on one knee.
Chapter42
Oliver
The plan was simple.
If she wanted to stay and take the job in London, Hazel would text me her answer. Then I’d come out to where she and Izzy were sitting, and I’d surprise her that way.
But if she said she’s coming back home, then the text was telling me to stay put in the office.
It was my idea to add the part where I got down on one knee.
“Oliver?” she says as she walks into her office. “What are you doing here?”
“Something that I’ve been wanting to do for months now.”
Izzy walks up to me as I open the ring box. “Elizabeth McCall…”
“Wait!” she says, pulling me up to my feet.
