Page 128 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

“Aww.” I wave her comment away. “You have to say that.”

“I do not.”

“But I haven’t done anything for you to be really proud of, Mom. Not like Mac, Tess, and Darby.”

“Now that’s just plain untrue.” Her brow drops. “And I won’t sit here and let you talk poorly about my favorite Olivia.”

“Okay, fine.” I cross my arms. “What’s so great about me?”

She squares her shoulders, like she’s about to do battle. “You know I love all you kids,” she says. “And I won’t compare you. Each one of you is clever and big-hearted and full of snark—which you get from me. But from the very beginning, you had your own mind, Liv. You went after what you wanted like a dog chasing a bone. You were … relentless.” She lets out a sigh, but hooks a smile onto the end of it. “That wasn’t always easy on my end, but it’s going to serve you well for the rest of your life.”

“Hmm.” I chew my lip. “What if I’m not so sure what I want anymore?”

“I think, deep down, you already know.” She looks down and smooths the blanket over my legs. “You just might be afraid to want it.”

I swallow hard. “How do I get less scared?”

“Be patient. Wait for that still, small voice inside you.” She lifts her chin again. “It’s never let me down before.”

“Easy for you to say.” I snort. “Darby and Tess are so loud, I can barely hear myself think when they’re around.”

Her smile widens. “Then it’s a good thing you’re the best listener in this family.”

“Hey.” My mouth slips sideways. “I thought you weren’t going to compare us?”

“You’re right.” She pats my knee. “And I think I’ve said enough now.”

“Mom?”

“Yes, Liv.”

“You really would do it all over again? The stretch marks. The sleepless nights. The ruined pancakes and glitter?”

“One million percent.”

I take a beat. “And what about Dad?”

She tips her head now, just a fraction of an inch. “What about your father?”

“Would you still marry him knowing … knowing what it’s like to lose him?”

“Oh, Liv.” She shakes her head. “That’s the one choice I never had to think twice about.” Her voice comes soft and slow, but also steadfast. “Your dad and I walked through that door together, and I never looked back. He’s waiting for me now. I’m sure of it. So don’t you worry. I’m not alone, Liv. And I didn’t lose Dad. Not really. You didn’t lose him either.”

“No, I guess I didn’t.” My eyes well up.

“And I wouldn’t trade a minute of the love we’ve shared so far.” She blinks, but there are no tears. That’s how firm she is in her belief.

I sniffle. “I just wish I could be as sure as you.”

“You want to know a secret?” She takes a beat. “The door to love doesn’t have a timer on the handle. There’s no expiration date or rush to decide. And if you’re patient, and ready to listen to that voice inside you”—she pats my knee—“you’ll know.”

“I hope you’re right,” I say. “For now, I’ll just have to take your word for it.”

Later, after my mother’s gone home and visiting hours are officially over, Hudson appears in the open doorway. His dark eyes flash a greeting, and he quickly ducks inside.

“Well, this is a surprise,” I say. A drowsy smile teases my lips. “They stopped allowing round-the-clock guests when I left the ICU.”

“Yeah.” He peeks over his shoulder. “Natalie let me in. Which is a good thing, because I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.” He crosses the room and gently lowers himself onto my bed. “I just had to come here to tell you something, and since your family’s always around, this felt like my best chance.”

---