by Roni Loren
“Of course,” Liv said. “You’ve got to take a risk sometimes.”
Finn gave Liv’s hand a squeeze and smiled her way.
But before Finn could say anything, his dad tossed his appetizer in the trash and left the room without a word. His mom glanced over her shoulder and then rolled her eyes.
“I guess Dad’s not a fan?”
His mother let out a sigh. “That’s the other thing I needed to tell you in person. Your father and I are getting a divorce. It’ll be finalized in a few weeks.”
“What?” Finn leaned back against the kitchen island, a little thunderstruck.
“I’m sorry to say this in front of your guest,” she said, sending Liv an apologetic look. “But yes. He hasn’t lived here for a few months. I know it’s probably hard to understand since you’ve been gone for a while, but things…”
He lifted a hand. “Mom, you don’t have to explain to me. I always wondered why you stayed with him so long. I’m just shocked you’re actually going through with it.”
She shrugged. “Well, after a health scare last year, I got this idea for the wine bar in my head.”
His chest tightened. “Health scare?”
“I’m fine. Turned out to be nothing. But it could’ve been bad. And afterward, I had this need to do something. Otherwise, what’s left? Just counting out my years here in the house, waiting for him to get home from work? So I told him I was going to do it with or without his approval. He gave me an ultimatum. Him or the business idea.” She pointed a finger at him. “Word of advice: don’t give a woman an ultimatum.”
Liv made a sound in the back of her throat and then quickly shoved her appetizer in her mouth.
“Wow, Mom. Good for you,” Finn said, swelling with pride for his mother. “I mean, I’m sorry about the divorce. I’m sure that’s hard, but maybe you two will be better off doing your own things.”
She patted his arm. “I’m sure we’ll both be just fine, honey. Now enough unpleasant talk. I want to hear about you. What have you been up to since you ended your assignment? And how’d you and Liv reconnect?”
Finn opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get anything out, Jill’s voice drifted into the kitchen. “Mom, the neighbors are here!”
The neighbors? Why would the…
Oh. Shit.
“Oh, honey, I hope you don’t mind. I invited the Lindts. I didn’t realize you were bringing a guest, and I thought you could use the company of an old friend.”
Before he could even attempt to warn Liv, Mr. Lindt walked in with his daughter following right behind.
Rebecca froze in the doorway, her attention on Finn and Liv, and looked to be just as shocked to see them as he was to see her.
He turned to Liv, who looked like she’d swallowed her devil whole, horse and all.
Welp. So much for the family visit not being awkward.
chapter
TWENTY-ONE
Liv nearly choked on her bacon when Rebecca appeared in the doorway. Bec was perfectly coiffed with a pretty cream-colored blouse and pale-blue capri pants. She looked like a perfect match for this garden party—the elegant southern debutante—but based on Rebecca’s wide eyes, she was just as surprised to see Liv as Liv was to see her. Rebecca’s father—who was dressed in shirt and tie, even though it was a Saturday—offered a stiff smile to Mrs. Dorsey and kissed her cheek in greeting.
“It smells wonderful in here, Barbara. Thanks for inviting us. It’s been a while since I’ve had a home-cooked meal.”
He handed her a box from the local bakery, and they exchanged more pleasantries. Finn’s expression was mildly pained. But Liv shifted her attention to the woman who looked like she was ready to slowly walk out backward, hoping no one noticed her. Liv refused to let this be weird. She went straight to Rebecca with a smile. “Hola, chica. This is a surprise.”
“Hey.” Rebecca glanced at the others, nodded politely at Barbara, and then lifted her hand in awkward greeting for Finn. She lowered her voice. “And surprise is one word for it.”
“Guess you didn’t know the guest list either.”
“Oh, these look delicious,” Rebecca said loud enough for the others to hear, and then she grabbed Liv’s elbow, guiding her away from the others. They parked on the far side of the kitchen island where they pretended to admire the deviled eggs. She gave Liv an earnest look. “Liv, I had no idea you and Finn were going to be here. Dad just said he’d got an invite and insisted I come with him. I wouldn’t have—”
Liv lifted a hand. “Seriously, don’t stress. I wasn’t supposed to be here. It was a last-minute thing. I’m sure Mrs. Dorsey invited you to keep Finn company.”
Rebecca cringed. “God, that sounds horrible. Like I’m some paid date.”
Liv smirked and took an egg off the platter. “More like the victim of motherly matchmaking and good intentions. Take it as a compliment. You’re a bright, successful woman whom she’d love to see her son with.”
“Ugh, that might even be worse. Now parents think they need to help me with my dating life. That is a sad state of affairs.”
“Ha, at least they think you still have hope.” Liv plucked the jalapeño off the egg and popped it in her mouth. “My father gave up on me getting married and giving him grandkids years ago. And Finn’s mother would’ve never picked me to set up with her son.”
“You don’t know that. Barbara isn’t like Finn’s dad.” Rebecca glanced at her and then over at Finn, who was now chatting with Mr. Lindt and his mother. “If this is going to be weird, I can fake a headache.”
“Don’t you dare. Have you seen the food? This is the place to be. Plus, you can be my voice of reason and keep me from throwing a punch at Mr. Dorsey. Or you can hold his arms back so I can get a clear shot if he insults me or my family again.” She bumped shoulders with Rebecca, who finally relented and gave a small smile.
“That guy is an ass,” she said, grabbing one of the eggs and taking a big bite. “For some reason, he likes me—which means he insists on talking my ear off every time I come here.”
“My condolences. We brought tequila if that helps.”
Rebecca snorted. “Don’t tempt me. A few hours with my dad, my former high school crush, and his blowhard father will be enough to drive me to drinking. But I’ve had a rough week and my filter needs to be in full force, or it’s going to get ugly.”
Rebecca said it with jest in her tone, but the wary look in her eye as she glanced at the group told a different story. Liv wasn’t close enough to Rebecca to know what was going on in her life, but she knew how it felt to be on the edge of losing the socially acceptable mask. She put her arm around Rebecca’s waist and gave her a quick side hug. “I’ve got your back, Bec. But I can’t say that part of me isn’t curious to see Rebecca unleashed. You look like you’ve got some Girl, hold my earrings in you.”
Rebecca’s mouth hitched up at the corner. “Oh, I’ve got fight in me. I wouldn’t have become a lawyer if I didn’t.”
“I don’t doubt it. Honestly, I’m learning that sometimes it’s good to get that stuff out, even if it sets some fires. You just have to trust that you’ll be able to walk through them.”
Lines appeared around Rebecca’s mouth, her gaze scanning Liv’s face. “That sounds ominous. Speaking from experience?”
Liv glanced at Finn, who raised a wineglass to her and offered a tentative Everything okay? smile. She raised an egg to say cheers and then sighed, turning back to Rebecca. “Well, this week I quit my job without another to go to.”
Rebecca’s lips parted. “Shit.”
“And now I have somehow ended up dating my ex-secret-boyfriend and moving into his guesthouse for the summer even though he’s going to disappear without a trace again. So”—she shrugged—“on second thought, maybe don’t take advice from me until I test out this fire suit.”
“Liv,” Rebecca said, mild horror on her face. “That’s…a lot. You sure you’re okay? I know you’re taking on that list, but…”
Her friend’s obvious distress on her behalf had Liv’s stomach flipping over. It was the look her friends had given her senior year when she’d said she was going to cut off her hair and dye it green. “I—”
“Time for the ham!” Mrs. Dorsey announced, cutting the conversation off. “Everyone to the dining room. I’ve got wine in there, and fresh bread. Place cards are on the table, but feel free to rearrange.”
Finn headed over, giving Rebecca a hello and a quick kiss on the cheek, and then took Liv’s hand. “Ready for Lunch of Awkward-Divorcing Parents with Disappointed-in-His-Kid Father leading the way?”
Liv laughed, Finn’s easy warmth tossing a blanket over some of the anxiety that Rebecca’s words had stirred. “Totally.”
“Wait,” Rebecca said. “Is Disappointed Father mine or yours? I lose track.”
Finn smiled at Rebecca with a fondness Liv hadn’t seen from him before—the sweet, genuine affection of old friends. “They could have a contest to determine who’s more disappointed. Fight to the death with butter knives?”
“That’d take a while,” Rebecca said. “Maybe they can just swing wine bottles. Knock each other out and save us all the trouble.”
“My money’s on awkwardness over violence,” Liv said. “But as long as there’s good food involved, I’m there.”
“United in hunger we stand.” Finn leaned over and kissed Liv quickly, surprising her with how natural the move felt. Like they’d done it a thousand times. An old couple. He touched his forehead to hers. “And thanks again for this. You have no idea how much it helps having you here.”
Liv leaned in to him, his words moving through her and stirring pleasant feelings. She’d never had this comfort level with any guy she’d dated. Dating had always been a means to an end—brief companionship and sex. This felt richer, more layered. Like eating a piece of homemade chocolate cake when you’d only ever eaten Twinkies. But when she glanced over at Rebecca, the deep wrinkle in her friend’s brow yanked the cozy feeling away and replaced it with a wash of cold unease.
Liv took a breath and shook off the feeling. No. She wasn’t going to go there. She appreciated the concern. But Rebecca had always been the worrier. The practical one. The safety-first one.
Yes, Liv was taking some leaps, but she wasn’t being stupid about it. She had on her fire suit. She’d survived much worse. She’d be fine.
chapter
TWENTY-TWO
Finn sipped the on-the-rocks margarita his mother had made him and watched from the back porch as his mom led Liv to the far end of the property where the rose garden was located. The air hung heavy with the scent of rosemary and thyme from the herb garden Liv and her father had planted all those years ago. Liv had marveled at how big the rosemary bushes had become after getting such a rough start, sending him a secret smile. He’d known what that look was for. His hands had smelled like herbs for days after he’d secretly dug up the first version of the garden so Liv would have to come back.
But now she was smiling and listening to his mother intently, her sundress and dark hair fluttering in the early-evening breeze as they made their way to the back of the property. Despite a rather stilted and uncomfortable meal with his father basically ignoring everyone but the Lindts, Liv seemed to be taking the visit in stride. And having her there had made everything infinitely more enjoyable for him. She was like a safe harbor in an ocean of pointed stares and expertly wielded digs hiding within polite conversation.
He hated to say he was happy about his parents’ divorce, but if this was the last meal he’d have to share with the both of them in the same room, he wasn’t sorry. Maybe now he could spend more time with his mom and sisters without the specter of his father looming in the wings.
Not that he’d get to see them that much anyway. Work would beckon again.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Finn glanced back toward the house, expecting Jill. He’d told her he wanted to hear all about college and studying abroad and any gossip she had on their older sister who had moved out of state, but instead of Jill making her way toward him, there was an old friend. With a big glass of wine.
When Rebecca had first shown up today, he’d braced himself for awkwardness. His relationship with her had gotten complicated as they’d gotten older, and then he’d pretty much bailed on the friendship in college, keeping in touch in a haphazard way. But his parents had always seemed intent on getting them together, and with Liv there today, he hadn’t put it past his father to highlight who Finn should be with and who he shouldn’t. But thankfully, the only awkwardness had been moving her place card from next to him at the table to make room for Liv.
“Hey,” he said, shifting on the couch to turn toward her.
She gave him a tight smile. “Hey. You busy?”
He rattled his glass. “Just having a drink while Liv and my mom ooh and ahh over rosebushes. What’s up?”
She pulled her shoulders back, suddenly looking every bit the no-nonsense lawyer and nothing like the girl who used to be one of his closest friends. “We need to talk.”
“Okay…” he said carefully. He didn’t have a ton of experience with women, but he knew enough to know those words weren’t tidings of joy.
Rebecca walked over and sat on the other side of the couch, turning slightly to face him. “First, I’m blaming this on Olivia. She let me drink and put ideas in my head about fires.”
He eyed the wineglass. “Fires?”
“Yes.” She smoothed a wrinkle in her pants. “You’re one of my fires I need to deal with.”
Oh boy. “I’m not sure I understand where you’re going with this, Bec.”
“Just bear with me for a minute.” She pinned him with a mildly pleading look.
He nodded. “Shoot.”
She rubbed her lips together and smoothed the wrinkle again. Nervous. “I thought I was past this. It’s so long ago, it might as well have been in another life. But being here today, seeing you, being around your family again… It just brings back a lot of memories, and I don’t know, it all hit me.”
He frowned. “What did?”
She laughed under her breath and fiddled with the pearls at her throat. “God, I feel ridiculous saying this. I clearly didn’t drink enough.”
“Bec…”
“Okay.” She set her wineglass on the coffee table and took a breath. When she met his gaze, she was all business again. “Look, here’s the gist. I don’t like things hanging over me, and these time capsule letters have been stalking me like some demented ex-boyfriend.” She shook her head as if admonishing herself. “I thought I could brush mine off, support my friends if they wanted to do something about theirs, but chalk mine up to stupid things teenagers say and move on. But today proved that it won’t be ignored. I need to deal with it. So”—she cleared her throat—“I need brutal honesty, and you’re one of the few people I can ask these questions.”
He took a long sip of his drink, not liking the sound of that. “We haven’t talked in years. I’m not sure how much of a help I can be.”
She met his eyes with determination. “Humor me.”
Her back was poker straight, her posture making her look haughty and confident, but the lines around her mouth showed strain. This was hard for her. Whatever the hell this was. “Yeah, of course. Go for it.”
She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and glanced out at the greenery and flowers as if she needed a moment to compose her thoughts. The setting sun threw slants of pink-orange light over her profile. Finally, a little smile pulled up the corners of her mouth. “You remember that first time you found me hiding in this yard?”
He followed her focus to a tangle of bushes behind the birdbath, old memories tugging at his mind. “Hard to
forget.”
Growing up, having families that ran in the same circles had forced them together regularly, but they’d dutifully ignored each other because eww, girls and eww, boys. But then in fourth grade, after Rebecca’s mom had taken off, Finn had found Bec hiding in the bushes one night, Hello Kitty suitcase packed and eyes red from tears. She’d been planning her escape route, how she was going to find her mother. But he’d overheard his own parents talking about the neighbors earlier in the evening. Rebecca’s mom had left with another guy and had no plans to take her daughter with her. His mom had called Bec’s mother a number of colorful names, which had let Finn know it was serious because his mom rarely swore.
“You thought I was crazy then, too,” she said.
“I never said you were crazy…then or now.”
She scoffed. “No, you told me that I was being stupid. That if I ran away, I’d get kidnapped, chopped into pieces, and made into sausage.”
He laughed. “Sorry about that. I might’ve snuck into my uncle’s horror movie collection that year. Gave me a vivid imagination.”
“Yeah, well, it was a pretty motivating speech. Then you told me to stop sitting in the mud and to come inside so you could kick my butt at video games.”
“Which pissed you off and made you come inside.”
She glanced over, smug. “And I beat you. Badly.”
Finn took a sip of his drink and raised his glass in salute. “My male pride was forever wounded. Thanks for that.”
He’d been hella impressed, though. The girl knew how to play. They’d agreed from that point on that anytime she wanted to run away, she could come over to Finn’s for a while. He’d had his own brand of loneliness going on at his house, and hanging out with Rebecca had been a fun distraction.
“You saved me from running away. I probably would’ve gotten myself into major trouble or, perhaps, been made into sausage.”
He stretched his arm over the back of the couch and hooked his ankle over his knee. “You were never going to leave. You were smarter than that.”