Page 108 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

“Old habits die hard.” Jaqueline grins, her lash-fringed eyes glued to Olivia. “Hudson and I were together for almost two years. I’m sure you understand.”

Liv slowly exhales and squares her shoulders. I know her well enough by now to recognize that she’s gathering herself, deciding who she wants to be in this moment.

“Nice to meet you,” she says, extending a hand to shake Jacqueline’s. Meanwhile, my own hands ball into fists. Not that I’d hit Jacqueline, or any woman. Ever. I’m not even mad at Jacqueline—the whole “I’m Hudson’s girlfriend” claim notwithstanding.

I’m mostly upset with myself.

I should’ve told Olivia about Jacqueline already. We’ve had more than one conversation where the subject could’ve come up. But I’d honestly wanted to put Jacqueline and our past out of my mind. I moved on from her embarrassingly quickly. And it reminds me of my own guilt in the situation. That it’s slightly possible I led Jacqueline on. So she caught me completely off guard, showing up here unexpectedly. One minute I’m high as a kite, soaking up the reality of finally holding Liv in my arms, then … out of nowhere.

Nothing but total mental whiplash.

So why is Jaqueline here now?

“The pleasure is all mine,” she says, giving Olivia’s arm one quick pump. Then she aims her grin at me. “I see I surprised you!” She splays her hands. “Mission accomplished.”

My jaw flexes. “What are you doing here?”

“Aw, Hud.” She sticks out her lip in a pretend pout. “You’re the one who ended things, remember? I’m the injured party. Please don’t be upset with me.”

“I’m just fine, thanks.” I widen my stance to bring my body a couple inches closer to Olivia.

“Good.” Jaqueline cocks a brow. “I hope that means we can be friends again. I know things got uncomfortable for us at the end there, but we’ve known each other for too long not to let bygones be bygones.”

“Like I said.” I offer her a tight smile. “I’m just fine.”

“Perfect,” she chirps, her gaze sweeping the porch. “Your father told me how well things were going with your new job. So I wanted to come here myself and offer my congratulations. In person.”

“Huh.” I tip my chin, rubbing it with a palm. “My dad talked about me with you? That doesn’t sound like him. He’s a pretty private guy. Not one to discuss family. With anyone.”

Especially his current employee and my ex.

Jacqueline lifts her hands in a mea culpa maneuver. “Okay, you caught me,” she says. “Guilty as charged.” A string of laughter trickles out of her.

“Guilty of what?”

“Well, you know I’ve always been absolutely obsessed with Lincoln James.”

I grunt. “Rings a bell.”

“And I might’ve seen reports that he was staying here.” Jacqueline glances across the porch over to the newer guest wing. “After all we’ve been through, Hudson, I was hoping you wouldn’t mind introducing them to …”

I smirk. “My ex?”

She waves the word away. “Can’t we compromise and just call me an old friend?” She swings her focus over to Olivia. “In case Hud didn’t tell you, we met back in college, and knew each other for years before we got together. Full disclosure, I had to pursue him pretty hard, but I finally wore the man down. And he was an absolute angel for a while.” She presses her lips together like she’s blotting them on a tissue. “Sadly, we had different life goals. But I still have nothing but respect for him.”

“I feel the same way.” Liv nods, arching a brow. “Nothing but respect.”

I guffaw. “Except Jaqueline’s nothing but respect involved another man, though.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Full disclosure.”

“Oh, Hud. I told you over and over again. There was nothing going on with me and Slade. He’s a colleague. That’s all.”

“An ambitious colleague who just happened to be groping you in the conference room?”

“I tripped, and he was helping me up. I’m basically a baby giraffe in any heel over four inches.” She nods down at her shoes, then looks up at Olivia. “But it’s like I always told Hud. Beauty is pain, am I right? Umm …” Jaqueline pauses, her lashes flapping. “I don’t think I caught your name.”

“Olivia,” she says, lifting her chin. “Olivia McCoy.”

“How lovely.” A fresh grin spreads across Jaqueline’s face. “I suppose I should congratulate you, too, Olivia. It took me years to get Hudson to kiss me the way he was just kissing you on that swing.”

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