Hey, I can't make it go away
Ned had six days left to try and convince Olive to stay. It seemed like it should be an easy thing to do, but his brain had decided to fail him on this task. His fingers sealed the pie crust and he stuck it in the oven.
"I am going to help you," Chuck declared as she bustled through the swinging doors.
"With Olive?" he asked.
Chuck rolled her eyes playfully.
"Well what else am I referring to?" she replied.
Ned gave her a little half smile.
"So how are you going to help me?" Ned asked.
"Her favorite pie is cherry with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream right on top," Chuck smiled.
"So if I make her a pie she will stay?" Ned asked.
He didn't think women were that simple to please and he was about to find out that they weren't because he was met with another eye roll.
"No, but it will be a step in the right direction," Chuck said.
Her gloved hands reached out across the table and took Ned's. Her blue eyes looked into his dark ones with such warmth and light.
"It is ok for you to love her too," she told him softly.
Her lips tingled to kiss his own, but she knew that she couldn't. This was so hard for her and she could only imagine the agony that it caused him. She wouldn't mind sharing him with Olive or even losing him to her. There was no sense in both of them being miserable. Ned was speechless, not knowing how to respond to her comment.
"I…don't…love…"
Chuck pressed her protected leather finger against his lips as she stood up on her tiptoes. His lips pressed back together and he kissed the leather softly as he inhaled the sharp smell. He tried to imagine that he was kissing her actually flesh.
"I told you that it is ok, Ned. I understand, I love her too," Chuck smiled, her blue eyes flashing before she turned and left the kitchen, leaving Ned to his own thoughts.
Olive sat in her apartment, wearing a pair of pajamas that was a little too big for her. Digby's head rested on her knee as they both watched the droning TV, having no idea what was actually on. Her fingers brushed against the soft strands of his red hair. He was one thing that Olive could always count on. Was she ready to give it all up?
Ned had the reddest, sweetest smelling cherries covered in a sticky syrup nestled close together in the pie crust. He made sure that each cherry was as close to perfection as possible. He had opted to use live fruit this time because if Olive offered him a piece, he wanted to be able to eat it. He carefully rolled out the top part of the pie. Usually he made it in a lattice pattern on top, but he felt like making something extra special tonight. Chuck's words were still ringing in his ears. He did love Olive, but it was still hard for him to face that truth.
He picked up the cookie cutter and pressed, leaving little heart shaped cut outs on the top of crust. He carefully lifted it up and squeezed the edges together to create a pretty pattern. To him, it looked like a masterpiece and it almost upset him that it was going to be devoured. But it would be worth it if it helped to get Olive to stay. Sugar was sprinkled on top and it was popped into the oven.
The clock tower outside chimed as it declared midnight. Olive sighed softly and turned off the TV. Digby was already fast asleep at the end of the bed. She was surprised to hear a knock on her apartment door this late at night. She slipped on her pink fuzzy slippers and padded to the door. As per her usual custom, she peered out the peep hole. People with brains didn't just swing open their door at midnight when a knock came upon it.
"Ned!" she half squeaked, half gasped when she saw the tall pie maker standing outside her door.
She slid the chain lock off and opened it up.
"Hi," she smiled.
"Hi, Olive. I know it is really late, but I bought you a…pie," Ned smiled at her.
"Ooo, what kind?" she asked.
"Cherry, oh and French vanilla ice cream to put on top," he replied.
"My favorite," Olive said, stepping inside to let him in.
Maybe he really did care about her. He knew her favorite pie after all. Ned hadn't been in Olive's apartment very much, but he knew where her table was. Olive disappeared into the tiny kitchen to get some plates and utensils.
"Go ahead and serve it up, I'll be right back," Olive told him.
Ned cut into the pie, making each slice perfect and placed a scoop of ice cream right on top. This was his artwork.
"Back," Olive grinned, leaning against the doorway.
"Good…I'm…" Ned said as he turned around to face her.
His breath caught in his throat as he was greeted by the sight of Olive in a crimson silk negligee. It was short and gave him a nice view of her smooth, tanned legs.
"We could always forget about the pie," Olive suggested.
"We could….or we could bring it into the bedroom," Ned replied, blushing slightly at his naughty little comment.
Olive's blue eyes sparkled.
"You have five days left, so it is your choice pie man," Olive grinned wickedly at him.