Leading the article was a handsome photo of Oscar which looked to be taken in his early twenties. Next to him was a younger version of Julie. The caption underneath read “The love is over. Hometown track hero and beauty queen bride divorce.” She skimmed the article, it said Julie would return to the town with their daughter, Stacie, seven, while Oscar would stay in the city.
So he was a track hero. They looked happy. Wonder what happened? I can ask her.
She grabbed the flowers, tucked the camera and fixer back in the present box and closed her laptop. “Marla cancel the presentation. I have somewhere I have to go.”
“What do I tell the client?”
“Take care of them yourself. You’re awesome at your job. I trust you.” Liz left in a hurry.
The last website Liz searched before leaving the office was “Sugar’s Natural Scrubs,” in Westin, owner, Julie Wallace.
She drove partially by instinct back to the small home town of Oscar’s. Following the same highway south, she traveled until an exit looked familiar. The center of town wasn’t that hard to find and once she recognized the gazebo from the market, she turned in the direction of the shops. Parking across the street from Sugar’s, Liz pulled her nerves together before going in.
You can do this. She’s the only person who’ll tell you the truth.
She
c
hecked her phone, no calls or texts.
No turning back.
She crossed the street, her heart pounding, her head racing, forming questions for Julie.
Remember, she’s the voice of absolute truth.
A chime sang as she broke the beam just inside the glass front door. “Hi welcome to—” a reactionary greeting started. Then changed as recognition set in. “Hello? Haven’t we met?” Julie asked.
“Hello, Julie. I’m Liz.” She stalled in the doorway. “I’d like to talk to you about Oscar.” She tried to hold back the tears and was successful, but her voice broke and gave her away.
“You found out,” she sighed with a tilt of the head. “He didn’t tell you first did he?” She wiped the natural scrub residue off her hands onto her apron. She offered a reassuring side hug. “Let’s go out back. It’s peaceful on the patio.” She led the way through the store. “Finish up for me,” she said to an employee. Reaching the back door she handed Liz an extra sweater and wrapped a shawl around her own shoulders.
“Oscar never was one for small talk. Or letting others into his private life.” Julie sat at a picnic table and motioned for Liz to sit across from her. “What do you want to know? How? When? How much? Is it all real?”
Liz studied Julie for a moment. The other woman Oscar had loved. She was the same age, but her skin was flawless. Must’ve been the natural scrubs. In the sunlight her hair revealed more of her true age with silver lines reflecting amidst the many strands of brown waist length locks.
She’s beautiful. How could Oscar have fallen out of love with her?
“Does he have billions in the bank?” Julie asked, reminding Liz why she was sitting with her. “Yes. Does it change him as a person. No. Why did you come here Liz?”
“Out of everyone, you know him best and I suppose you’ve gathered that I’m more than just a business contact. You probably called my bluff that first meeting.”
“Well, yes. And I spoke to Shirley. Small town. We all talk.”
“Of course. Which side of him is real? I thought I knew a bartender, who worked hard and loved passionately. A small town guy with a past, looking for a better future. How was I so wrong?”
“Sugar, you weren’t. Everything you know about Oscar is true.” She bit her thumb and paused to reveal more. “He loves deeply, is loyal as a dog, and will never leave you.”
“But he—why did you and he divorce?” She asked the question, because she couldn’t imagine what could’ve happened between the two of them. Did he work hard to make the money and push her away? Would he do the same to her? Would he be Chris all over again?
“When we split. He was lost.” Now Julie held back tears. “He couldn’t see his life path. Except in a bottle. He was hurting himself and I knew he wouldn’t want Stacie to know her father that way. So we left.” She wiped her eyes. “It was the hardest thing I ever did.”
She regrets leaving him. She still loves him.
“Look at me.” She fanned at her eyes. “I’m blubbering over my ex-husband.” She laughed. “Don’t let him go, Liz.”
“How do I keep him? I threw him out. Didn’t even give him a chance to explain.”
“If I know Oscar. And I do. He’s beside himself. Did he send you a gift? He was always so thoughtful. He even bought me my shop. And that was after we divorced.”
“I told him I enjoyed developing film in high school. He sent a camera to my office with flowers.”
“See. He could’ve just filled your office with roses. He didn’t. Go to him.”
“I can’t. I don’t know where to find him. I can’t go to the Buckeye.”
“Hand me your phone.” She held out her hand, palm up. Liz handed her phone over. Julie pulled up her maps app and inputted an address. “You’ll find him at home. Stay until Stacie gets home from school. I want you to meet her. She already adores you.”
Driving back to town. Liz thought about her entire conversation with Oscar’s ex, but Julie’s last words really sunk in.
Stacie adores me? So Oscar told her and she told her mom and oh my gosh how many people are talking about me?
Chapter Forty Three
“How’d it go today dad?” Stacie asked, stepping in the door after school.
“Still haven’t heard from her. I don’t even know if she got the present I sent.” He shrugged. “How am I supposed to win her over if I can’t find her?”
“Don’t give up,” Stacie left to go upstairs to her room, but stopped a few steps up. She peered out the glass of the front doors. “Dad? What kind of car does Liz drive?”
Oscar opened the front door. Liz had come to him.
How?
Stunned speechless, he met her on the porch.
When she didn’t slap or punch her dad, Stacie stepped around him. “Liz. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Stacie. How did you get here?”
Liz fished a bag of free facial samples out of her purse. “Your mom gave me the address. Can I come in?”
“Yes. Yes. Please,” Oscar said, snapping out of his shock. He stepped to the side and allowed Stacie to lead the way into the house.
“Wow!” Liz said with a gasp. “That staircase is amazing.”
“It gets the job done.” She poked her dad. “You two probably want to be alone. I’ll just be upstairs if you need me.”
“You’re here. You spoke to Julie. Am I forgiven?” Oscar worked out his questions by saying them aloud. “Or are you here to kill me?”
Liz wrapped her arms around his waist and positioned her lips close to his. “Bartender. Or billionaire. I want to give you a second chance.” She smashed her lips to his and kissed him with all her heart.
He pulled her tighter and kissed her back until they both pulled away to take a deep breath. “I wanted to tell you. The first night. But I didn’t think you’d believe me. Then I listened to the others and they said you hated rich men.”
“I’ve accepted my attitude toward Chris played a part in your lie. I’ve moved past him. I can’t fault you for his mistakes. Can we move forward?” She stepped back and scanned the room. “So this is your house.”
“Yes, it’s a tad bigger than your place.”
“Hell this entryway is bigger than my place.” She twirled around, bumping into Stacie’s backpack. “Your daughter. She’s beautiful.”
“She’s a teenager. I get away with nothing around her.” He started the tour of his expansive home with the main hallway. “Let me show you around.” He walked the full grounds with her, showing Liz every bedroom, bathroom, and closet. He was done hiding things. His life and his home was out in the open to share with her.
They ended the tour in his Tuscan styled kitchen. Complete with dark wood cabinets, hand painted tiled backsplash, high end range, and wine fridge. “Are you hungry?”
“Do you cook too?” Liz snuggled her nose against his neck, getting lost in his cologne.
“I dabble.” He smoothed her hair and tucked it behind her ears. “Do you want to test out another room first?”
“Cool it,” Stacie said, joining them. She walked past and went straight to the fridge.
“You ready for this?” Oscar whispered in Liz’s ear. He was glad she was finally in his arms, in his house, and even more excited that Stacie was there with them. An afternoon with his two favorite girls was just what the bartender ordered.
“Does your dad really know his way around the kitchen?” Liz asked Stacie.
“Not really. Everything he knows he learned from Gordon Ramsay.”
“It’s the food!” the father, daughter pair yelled in unison.
“We watch Kitchen Nightmares together,” Oscar admitted. “Let’s start some poppers.”
Stacie stepped into the pantry. “We have bacon bits and bread crumbs. Is there cheese in the fridge?”
“How spicy do you like your jalapeño poppers?” Oscar asked Liz.
“Mild. How can I help?”
“Come get the oil,” Stacie called out to her from the open door.
“Are you serious?” Liz exclaimed. The kitchen was the last stop on the tour and she hadn’t stepped in to the pantry yet. “This is bigger than my bathroom.”
“It’s sick isn’t it.” Stacie handed her an apron and the oil. “Can we make drinks too? Frozen slushes. Dad doesn’t drink alcohol.”
“I know. He’s inspiring.” Liz turned her back to Oscar. He tied the apron around her waist and stole a kiss on the back of her neck.
“Now get to chopping,” he said, slapping her ass.
While Liz was marveling at the size of the fridge, Oscar lined up ingredients on a cutting board on the center island. “We need to chop the cheese, half the jalapeños, and mix the spices into the breadcrumbs.”
“I’m glad you’ve forgiven him. He’s been a wreck,” Stacie said while Oscar fried the poppers at the built in fryer next to the range.
“I can hear you,” Oscar said without turning around.
Stacie stuck her tongue out to his back. “Dad’s a great catch. I wouldn’t trade him. You shouldn’t either.”
“I’ll keep him around,” Liz agreed. Oscar turned with his irresistible smile.
He’s a keeper.
The trio worked together making the snack and enjoying each other’s company. When the poppers were all ready, Stacie took her plate to the media room to eat. Oscar and Liz stole the opportunity to step out onto the back patio for more time alone.
It was chilly outside on the patio, but Oscar had a plan and keeping Liz cold was part of it. Holding her close on the oversized chaise lounge he set the rest of the evening into motion.
“Stacie approves of you. And I suppose Julie does too.”
“She still loves you in her own way. That went a long way in my coming here.”
“Liz I . . .”
“Wait.” She stopped him with a hand on his knee. “Just like I shouldn’t of loved you for your money. I shouldn’t push you away because of it. I trust that the man I fell in love with is the same today as he was before I found out your bank balance.”
“I’m going to prove to you that this.” He fanned out to the expansive gardens and pool in the distance. “All of it doesn’t change who I am.”
“I told you.” She held his chin and kissed his cheek. “I trust you.”
“But I need to prove it to you.” He pulled her up to her feet. “You’re not afraid of flying are you?”
Chapter Forty Four
A half hour later, with no bags packed Oscar and Liz were at the airport boarding a private jet to Las Vegas.
“When did you arrange for this?” Liz asked, climbing the stairs up into he aircraft.
“Phoenix Aviation pilots are always on call at the airport for any flights customers like myself need. We tend to book them with last minute notice.” Oscar followed her up. At the top, just inside the aircraft was his travel assistant, Faith.
“Welcome aboard, Mr. Wallace. Finally bringing a guest I see.” Faith stepped to the side. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll check in with the captain.”
Liz stepped into the main sitting room the plane. It was like nothing she’d seen before. Maybe in the movies, but the atmosphere was different in person. There were plush chairs and a table off to one side. The seats on the other side was a leather sofa with seat belts. “Is that champagne?”
“And Belgian chocolates.” Oscar lifted a panel to reveal the golden wrapped delights. “Perks.”
“We’ll be ready for take off soon,” Faith said, emerging from the cockpit.
“I’m glad you could accompany us,” Oscar said, hugging her. “Faith this is Liz. Liz this is . . .” Oscar was stumped for a moment. “She’s a very special travel assistant that comes with the plane. She’ll make any arrangements we need, ride to the hotel, dinner reservations.”
“Oscar. Tell her the truth,” Faith urged. After a little giggle, she added, “I have connections to the best spas and shopping in Vegas. I can get you private rooms for any service. Anywhere.”
Liz sat and searched for the two halves of the lap belt. “How well do you know Oscar?” she asked. He was a few feet away at the cockpit door.
Faith sat next to her. “Relax. I’m married.” She flashed a large diamond ring. “Madly in love. Oscar’s the same for you. He talked all about you on the last trip. Girl to girl, he’s the full package.”
“His package is full.” Liz squirmed with a chuckle.
“What are you two giggling about?” Oscar asked, returning.
“Only about the biggest things to see in Vegas.” Faith gave Oscar her seat. “It’s time we buckled up.”
When the attractive travel assistant had settled in her seat at the front, Liz leaned against Oscar and asked, “How did you know I would forgive you and agree to come on this trip?”
“I didn’t. But being a billionaire, affords me the luxury of making arrangements even with the off chance they’d be ruined.”
“Perks?”
“I’m glad you came. You’re going to love Vegas.”