Page 35 of The Happiness Blueprint
How many tasty rocks are there in the world?
Google Search I’m Feeling Lucky
I have put Hanna on bar duty, something she’s taken very seriously, as she arrived with a bag full of flower garlands and mini umbrellas.
“Margaritas don’t call for umbrellas,” she says, adding, “but they’re the only drink I do well.”
I watch her line up the glasses on a tray and salt the edges.
“Did you ever think about salt? It can’t be the only delicious rock in this world. Somewhere there must be another type of rock waiting to be discovered,” I say and make a mental note to google it later.
“Let you know if I ever find it. Go get your dad. We’re almost ready here.”
The phone rings, and Saga and her good mood fill my screen. I hadn’t realized it was Thursday. “Just came back from the grocery store without Harry. Which is basically my happy place because I get to exist as a single entityandbe around food.”
“Great. I’m a bit busy right now.”Busy staring at the door that Alex and the rest will walk through any minute.
“Oh.” She leans forward as if she expects to see my busyness behind me on the screen. “There’s music?”
“Yes. We are having some drinks.” I allowed Hanna to compile a playlist as my own music is usually no success at parties and more suited to alone time in the van.
I only hear half the next sentence because Alex walks in, and my senses stop working.Obviously.Heart thumping so hard it echoes in my eardrums. He’s alone. Does he get broader and taller every time I see him? It shouldn’t be physically possible, especially considering his starting point of tallness and broadness. Alex is at least six foot. One. Two. Three. Maybe more? He’s wearing a formal shirt, which I’ve never seen before.Splendid, one more image of Alex to add to my already full cloud of images...
“I have to go, Saga. Call you later.”
“Wait, what?”
I’m aware of her disbelief at this. Her little sister with plans! Hanging up onher!Leaving her to whine to her wine!
When I look up from my phone, Alex is standing in front of me.
“Hi.” The thought occurs that this is a very informal setting and that a greeting hug would be normal. I curse myself for not preparing for this moment mentally. I’m frozen stiff, waiting for a collision, wondering if I should go for it or wait to see what he attempts.I can do this without dissolving like a sugar cube exposed to heat.
Turns out I can’t. Because when he leans in there is a whole load of stubble action going on, brushing the top of my head. My face is level with his chest for a good four seconds, long enough to inhale all the scent which sends my imagination into overdrive and makes me lose my ability to speak in coherent sentences. Or think them. Which is why all I manage is, “Oh, alone.” I am an idiot.
He gives me a very long, very unsettling look, smiles, then leaves me. He walks over to Dad and Hanna. I watch. Dad claps his shoulder, and I think, I’ve done something good, here, perhaps. Dad likes something I brought to the company—Alex and Hanna. Even if I mess up and we still get cancellations, at least I got that right.
Dad seems to enjoy himself for about an hour, then he walks over to me. I made a conscious effort to hide any business-related papers, and I can see him looking suspiciously around the room and at the bare desk.
“That’s about as much fun as I can handle.” He comes over and hands me his glass.
“You did well. Numerous chats. Only one of them about tiles, as far as I’m aware.” He smiles at me.
“Good night.”
Dad goes to leave, and five minutes later I follow him, to retrieve extra ice cubes. Just outside the front door I hear him talking to Gunnar—he hasn’t left after all. Dad has a hand on his friend’s upper arm as he speaks.
“Can you make sure they get the right mileage tracker? I will email you the details of the police station and the case number.” It’s a whisper but loud enough for me to hear.
Police? There must be a speeding ticket. It can’t be me since I always stay ten percent below the speed limit. I’m grateful that I don’t have to handle any correspondence with the local police and decide I need to remember to thank Dad for taking it off my to-do list.
I take the bag of ice and head inside again.
ALEX
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