Olly
“Olly.” My mom placed her hands on the sides of my face. “It’s so good to see you.” She leaned in and kissed me. Then, she stepped back and grabbed the shears to continue trimming the flowers for a bouquet.
“I just saw you last weekend.” It had been five days, but still, she had just seen me.
“That’s too long.” She waved her hand, still holding the shears up and down in front of me. “I used to see you every day.”
“I know, Mom.” I plopped down on a stool and grabbed a discarded flower on the table. “Hey, do you know Jules, who owns the market?”
“Jules? Of course, why?” She had a scowl, like she was confused by the question.
“I just met her, but I don’t know if I’ve ever met her.” I threw the flower back on the table. “It’s odd because I feel like I’ve met almost everyone in this small town.”
A bucket of flowers was by the table, waiting to be prepped and put into bouquets. I grabbed another pair of shears to prepare the zinnias.
“This town may be small, but meeting everyone is still impossible.” She winked and pulled the bouquet out to wrap the bottom with the cellophane bag. “Why all the questions about Jules?”
“Just curious.” I cut the bottom of a bright pink zinnia. “Devon mentioned she had been away for college. I found it weird, but I still couldn’t remember her.”
“She is much younger than you.”
“Oh, that’s a good point. I didn’t think about that.” Now, I was curious about her age.
“I want to say she just turned thirty.”
“Well, now that makes more sense.” She was seven years younger than me. Our paths probably never crossed.
“We’re making Birria tacos tonight.”
I was arranging the different-colored zinnias when she mentioned one of my favorite recipes. “That’s just mean.” I laughed when I said those words.
“You can take a break from your busy schedule and spend time with your mom and dad.” She stepped up beside me and wrapped her arm around my waist. “We can invite Jules if you want?”
“Absolutely not.” I moved away from her. “That’s not going to happen.”
“What’s not going to happen?” My dad walked into the greenhouse wearing his tall, dark green rain boots.
“He has a crush on Jules.”
“Jules from the market?”
“The very one.”
My parents were talking like I wasn’t even in the room.
“Hello.” I waved my hand up and down in front of their faces. “It’s not a crush. I just asked you a couple of questions.”
“It’s okay if it’s a crush, son.” My dad placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. “I’m happy you’re showing interest in something other than work. You work too hard.”
“He does. He does.” My mom shook her head and picked up the shears to work on another bouquet.
“Seriously, stop,” I said the words a little too loudly and stopped myself from saying anything else. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell, but you’re not listening.”
“We are,” Mom said, leaning over the table to grab my hand. “I just want to see you with someone. Running a business is not only about working overtime.”
“I get it.” My mom’s heart was in the right place. “Trust me, it was just a few questions. Nothing more.” I walked around the table and bent to kiss her cheek. “I literally just met her like thirty minutes ago. Now is not the time to be a matchmaker.”
“Okay, fine.” She leaned in and hugged me. “I love you, sweetie.”
“You’re still coming for Birria tacos tonight, right?” My dad was organizing a shelf in the corner of the room.
“I’ll be there. What time is dinner?” As much as I needed space from them, there was no way I would say no to dinner tonight.
“6:30.”
“Perfect. See you then.” I waved and headed out to my truck.
It had been nice working on the produce stand without my parents for the last few weeks. As much as I adore them, I also recognize how having a little distance from them is healthy.
I hopped up into my pickup truck and sat back in the seat. Jules did seem nice. She was gorgeous. I didn’t know if I was ready for a relationship right now, though. Taking over the produce stand ended up being more work than I planned.
“Wait.” I was now talking to myself. “What am I thinking?” Then, I burst out laughing and put the keys into the ignition. Just because I asked my parents about a random person in town did not mean I wanted to be with said person.
They were just questions, nothing more.
AUTHOR NOTE:
Okay, should his parents be matchmakers for Olly and Jules, or should Stacy be the matchmaker? Wait, or better yet, they could team up and do it together. We haven’t established if Stacy and the parents know each other. Maybe they do?