Weeks later. . .
Fitz grabbed the keys to his truck from his desk and just as he was about to head out, his sister entered his office.
"Hey sis."
"Hey loser. I hear you've been touched by an angel."
"Ugh..what did mom tell you?" He asked, sounding like a little boy.
"You actually fell asleep Fitz?"
"If you're here to make fun of me, that's not gonna happen because I have to be at a jobsite."
"Oh come on." She laughed.
"Brianna don't you have someone else to annoy?"
"No, my husband's at work and my kids are at school."
"Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I thought we could go to the spa together."
"Okay that's it. Come on, move, I wanna lock up. Go bother dad down the hall. I'm sure he'll be delighted to see his daughter." Fitz ushered her out the door.
"So grumpy. If I didn't know any better I'd say you're in need of some massage therapy."
"Goodbye Bri." He replied and left. Leaving his sister in a fit of laughter.
xxx
Fitz hopped out of his truck as his client waited on him on her doorstep.
"Good morning ma'am."
"Good morning. Can I just say how excited I am for us to get started on this project."
"That's great." He loved this lady's enthusiasm.
Something about her actually reminded him of his mother. Yet he couldn't pinpoint what it was.
That was until he stepped through the door and it felt like he was transported to a bakery.
His stomach made a loud noise as the delicious smell of whatever this woman had been baking engulfed him.
"Son would you like to have some of my cinnamon rolls before we start?"
Fitz blushed embarrassingly. She must've heard his stomach rumbling.
"That sounds amazing. Yes, thank you."
She joined him and made them some tea as well.
This gave them time to talk about what her goal is. What she wants her new and improved backyard to look like.
"Shall we?" The woman asked and he nodded so she led him outside.
"Wow, this is a lovely space you got here." Fitz scanned the yard then crouched down to test out the soil with his hands.
"With the ground you've got here, I can think of so many variables of flowers and plants that would fit it just perfectly."
He continued his inspection of the yard.
"It looks terrible right now and I don't know about that tree." She commented by studying his face.
"No not at all. It has great potential. The idea that you have in mind for it is actually quite good. We can definitely make it work and honestly I think the tree should stay. I can blend it in."
Going over her vision as they walked around, Fitz gave her a few new suggestions here and there.
"So I'll get back to you soon with a laid out design of your idea and cost estimates."
"Great. Now my husband can relax again. We moved into this house five months ago and every day I've been nagging on his head for us to do something about this backyard. Our previous home didn't have a backyard this big so I was excited to create something great here."
"I wish all my clients could be like you." He liked this lady. "You're not just giving orders. You're actually excited to be part of this project."
The woman soon walked him out.
"Oh look, my husband's here. Hi honey, come and meet our architect."
"Sir." Fitz gave him a firm handshake.
"Thank god son. Now my wife can stop her continuous nagging." The older man replied causing laughter amongst them.
"It was nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Pope. I'll be in touch. Have a good day."
"Goodbye dear." Evelyn replied. As Fitz got into his car she turned to her husband, "What a lovely man he is. How was brunch with Livvie?"
xxx
The following day Fitz found himself at Serenity Day Spa.
Somehow he caved and Brianna made appointments for the both of them.
He figured he needed the push anyway because he wanted to see Olivia again but for some reason he just couldn't get himself to make the appointment.
"So, are you gonna request a massage from Olivia?"
"Brianna how the hell do you know her name?"
"Mother told me. You know she doesn't leave out any details."
"No shit."
"If you're too shy, I could just go and ask if she's available."
"No, please don't. That would look weird."
Brianna's phone vibrated and she excused herself to take the call, much to Fitz's relieve.
He watched her step away with her back turned towards him so he took the opportunity to call over a staff member passing by.
"Uh, hey. Is Olivia on duty?"
"She won't be here until later. Sorry."
"Oh.. Thanks."
Brianna returned. "Sorry about that. Let's get this over with. I want to get my body cracked like a glowstick."
Fitz didn't even want to be there anymore.
What was the point? He wouldn't get to see Olivia anyway.
"Oh my gosh that was incredible. I'm definitely dumping my regular day spa for this one."
Fitz put on a fake smile for her. He had to mask his disappointment.
xxx
A week went by until Fitz returned to the Pope household with his proposed work.
"Mrs. Pope, lovely seeing you again."
"Are you always so charming or am I just special?" She teased.
"Oh ma'am you are most definitely special."
"It's the cinnamon rolls that did it for you, isn't it?"
"You got me." Fitz replied as the two shared a genuine laugh.
"So what do you have for me?" Asked Evelyn.
"I made your idea come to life on paper. Why don't we have a look."
Fitz unveiled the graphic representation of what her backyard will look like.
"Wow. It's exactly how I imagined it."
"You're okay with this? We could make some adjustments if there's something you're not happy with."
"No. It's perfect."
"Well thanks, although you should take the credit. This is all your idea, I just changed up a few things."
"I hope it won't take too long for you to get started out there."
"I'm just waiting on the some materials then we'll be ready to start over the next couple of days. Oh, I have the samples of flowers and plants on the back of my truck."
"Great." Evelyn replied with excitement. "Let's go and have a look."
Outside Fitz explained to her the value of of what these flowers and plants could add to her garden.
"Thank you again Fitzgerald. I really appreciate the effort you're putting in on this project."
"That's why you're paying us, to deliver the best results."
"My husband's paying you but whatever, I'm glad my friend referred me to your company."
"Next time I see you, we'll be turning your yard upside down."
"Have a nice day."
"You too ma'am. Goodbye."
Work kept Fitz quite busy the next couple of days.
He had to do a lot of research and come up with some next level creativity in order to deliver the perfect presentation for two major contracts.
When he wasn't working he would take Booger for a walk in the park or drive down to the beach for a evening stroll.
He still couldn't forget about Olivia. Even though her face and laugh didn't occupy his mind as much as before, he still thought about her.
He didn't know her but from their brief conversation he could tell that he liked her.
She was funny without even trying.
If only he could see her..talk to her..just one more time.