After Henry parked, they headed into the bottom level, finding a café with comfortable seats and a quiet atmosphere where Maureen could wait.
“Order anything you like,” Henry said. “I’ll take care of the bill.”
“Very generous of you,” Maureen replied, grinning. She gave Olivia another wink, one that wasn’t subtle at all. Henry caught it and laughed softly. Olivia blushed so red that she was sure her cheeks must actually be on fire.
“Mom, will you stop embarrassing me?” she hissed, leaning over to kiss her mother on the cheek. Her mother chuckled.
“I know what you’re like, Olivia. You should hang on to this one.”
“Mother, you’ve known him for a total of ten seconds.”
“That’s all it takes.”
Olivia stepped away, sighing, and shaking her head. Henry was clearly amused and trying to hide his smile as they walked from the café to the nearby supermarket.
“Your mother is a character,” Henry said as they picked up a grocery basket.
“You have no idea,” Olivia muttered.
“Did she tell you what we need to buy?” Henry asked.
“Yeah, she texted it to me while we were in the car.”
“The woman is a genius. Always ten steps ahead.”
“Oh yeah? Maybe you should be dating her,” Olivia joked. Henry vehemently shook his head.
“Are you kidding me? She’s way too smart for me. I wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Olivia laughed, really laughed. She stopped right there under the harsh lights, next to a stack of cereal boxes, and put her arms around Henry’s neck.
“So, you think I’m dumb, then?”
“Not at all,” Henry whispered, leaning close to her. “She’s the undiluted source of your wit, though. Too potent. You’re tempered by your gentle heart.”
Something turned in Olivia’s chest. They were literally lost in each other’s eyes. It was as if Henry could truly see her heart, see deeper into it than she herself could.
“I…” Olivia’s voice trailed off. She couldn’t think of a damn thing to say. The moment built in intensity, and she leaned forward, giving in to the magnetism between them.
“Oops! Sorry!” a voice yelled, blasting away the warm atmosphere. Olivia barely managed to get out of the way in time as a grocery store worker plowed between them with a trolley full of canned goods.
Olivia’s eyes met Henry’s as the cart went by. They smiled at each other, but the intensity was gone. Olivia was glad. She didn’t want to fall too far too fast, no matter what her mother said.
“What’s on the list?” Henry asked, recovering quickly. Olivia pulled out her phone.
“Eggs, milk, cereal, snacks.”
“What kind of snacks?” Henry asked, making a quick turn into the aisle. “Did she specify?”
“No,” Olivia said. “I’ll just text her.”
“What about these?” Henry asked, lifting a foil-wrapped packet of decadent chocolate ripple cookies.
“Those are far too expensive,” Olivia said automatically.
Henry looked at the box, confused. “They’re seven dollars.”
“Yes, for a pack of six!” Olivia cried in disbelief.