"Well, the cherry-berry is great today, as is the orange-lemon meringue. But I see you as more of a chocolate espresso cream." Olive leaned over the counter, flashing a bright smile towards the handsome man who was mulling over the menu. He was a nice bit of eye candy and a welcome distraction from the day she had been having so far. Actually, with Trevor gone her day was beginning to perk back up.
"I strike you as a chocolate espresso cream, do I?" He asked back, his eyes twinkling flirtatiously.
"Yes you do. I can tell a lot about a person by the pie they choose. I can also choose the perfect pie for a person just on looks alone." Olive shrugged. "It's a gift."
"Impressive." The man smiled, his eyes sweeping her up and down appreciatively.
"So, the question is, do you wanna play it safe with apple ala' mode? Or find your pie soul mate in a slice of chocolate espresso cream?"
"Well, you're the pie expert. I'll leave it in your very capable—and very cute— hands."
Olive felt herself blush and her spirits soar as she reached for the chosen pie from the case. This was exactly what she needed she thought as she cut through the mound of whipped cream down into the crust with gusto. The attention of a normal man—albeit she would rather have the attention of the Pie Maker, whom she loved—but it was better than any attention from Trevor Trask. Anything was better than that.
Olive decided to flirt back with the handsome stranger and raise her spirits even higher when she saw an equally attractive woman slide into a stool next to him, greeted by a "Hey honey" and a kiss on the cheek.
Olive's spirits sank with a whoosh as she plopped the generous serving of pie onto his plate. And they sank even further as she cut a less than generous slice for his companion. As the couple dug in and Olive zoned out, adrift in a sea of self pity and disgust for taken men who flirt brazenly with waitresses, she heard the front door swing open. Hoping it was the gang returning from their investigation she looked up hopefully, only to be met with the sight of Trevor Trask once again.
"Enjoy the pie!" Olive said hastily to the customers as she turned and made a beeline for the kitchen, hoping to avoid him altogether. "Why is he back!?" She moaned. Olive debated making a mad dash out the back door, but realizing that her leaving when the place had customers and a full, unattended cash register would make Ned's head explode with anger, she decided against it. While wondering if she should hide in the walk in freezer or the strange room Ned kept the dead fruit in she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. Her body immediately tensed; it was too late, and she closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath.
"Hello Olive."
"Hey there Trevor." Olive turned around slowly. She tried to remain calm, but her voice squeaked and she suddenly felt nauseous. She had no idea why he had returned, but she had a bad feeling about it. "Ya back for another piece of pie? Heh, well that's pretty common here at the Pie Hole. Pie's so good people come in and before the door hits them on the way out they're back in for another slice!" She rattled off. "But they usually wait out there in the dining room…"
"Olive," Trevor interrupted her. "I don't want pie."
"You don't?" Olive gulped, taking a step backwards.
"No." Trevor took a step forward. "I was waiting outside until the others left."
"You were?" Olive took a step back and Trevor took another step forward. They continued there awkward dance until Olive was backed up against the baking block and he was mere inches away from her. She reached out and steadied herself on the table top.
"Yes. I wanted to talk to you."
"Oh, well we already talked. Earlier, remember? You said you wanted to reconnect and then we did and you had pie and then you left. Remember?" Olive laughed nervously. "So I don't really know what else there is to talk about. We did our talking, did our reconnecting. We are all reconnected and talked out. Boy my voice is sure sore." Olive rubbed her throat.
"I remember. But I wanted to talk to you alone."
"Alone?"
Olive felt her body paralyze with fear; at that moment she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Or maybe swallow Trevor. Either way, her eyes darted around for any hint of a distraction, anything to get herself out of this uncomfortably intimate position.
"Well, we can talk later. You're sick—didn't you say you had a treatment or something?" Olive tried to change the subject, but Trevor looked undeterred.
"Oh, that's not till later. My mistake."
"But still. Maybe you should, uh, lie down or something. You look pale." Olive suggested, realizing Trevor always looked pale.
"I feel fine Olive. In fact, I feel better than I ever have in my life." Trevor reached out and touched her arm.
His dark eyes, which were usually devoid of any emotion, flickered with something Olive couldn't quite place. Or maybe it was a trick of the light. "Must be those treatments," She quipped. His touch made her skin crawl and she sidestepped around him, headed towards the back door. "Glad to see they're working. Which means you shouldn't miss one. So why don't ya head over there now just to be safe. What was the name of that sickness you had again?" Olive rambled quickly, hoping to get his mind on something else, but he did not answer. She didn't care if the place and the cash register were packed, she was ready to run.
"I want you…" Trevor cut her off, moving once again toward her.
Olive's back was now pressed against the back door, her hand idling on the doorknob, ready to make her escape. Even though Trevor had told her he had only wanted to see her again before he died, deep down she had feared he had wanted more than just a reunion—that he wanted her back. Olive was terrified that this was it. That this was the moment all her self control would disappear, like someone flicking a light switch, and that she would inexplicably fall back in love with him.
"…..to spend some time with me." Trevor finished, ignoring Olive's panicked expression, waiting quietly for a reply, his eyes returning to their lifeless state.
Olive felt the tightness in her chest subside and she let out the breath she had been unconsciously holding. "What?" She squeaked, expecting something else entirely. "That's all you want?"
"Yes. I will be in town for a few more days, and I don't know anyone here. I thought we could spend some more time together."
"Oh." Olive didn't know what to say. He didn't want her back, he was simply asking for her company. And as much as she still detested the idea of having to spend time with him, it was preferable than the alternative.
"It's so lonely here." He said quietly.
Suddenly Olive felt something more than disgust for Trevor Trask—she felt pity—as well as surge of embarrassment for her own behavior. For as much as she disliked him she would not wish him—or anyone—to be lonely in his situation. After all the man was dying, surely she could make the sacrifice and spend time with him. "I, uh, suppose you could come visit me in the Pie Hole until your treatments are done." Olive offered quietly, a tiny bit of her still hoping he would decline.
"Yes, that sounds wonderful." Trevor nodded, his eyes sweeping her up and down. "Now maybe I will take another piece of pie." He said matter-of-factly and turned and walked out of the kitchen.
"It's only a few days. I can definitely do this." Olive told herself, trying to boost her confidence. "I keep Trevor company, pump him full of pie, then he goes back home and all is right with the world—I've done my good deed. I can do this. No big deal." But soon she found herself turning her eyes towards the heavens. "Give me the strength to get through this." She pleaded silently as she went out to join him in the dining room.
And Olive continued to plead to keep her sanity as she cut Trevor a slice of pie and watched him dissect it into equal sized pieces, which he ate counter clockwise, while he chanted his bizarre Buddhist chant in the now deserted Pie Hole.