Page 133 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

Mac bypasses the lot down by the docks and drives up the cobblestone path in front of the main entrance. They’re dropping Liv off so she can stay here at the inn through the reopening this weekend. Since they all flew in Sunday, Mac and the girls have taken over Big Mama’s house. The fact that Darby and Tess are crammed into the sewing room with their namesake dress dummies is hilarious.

They have no idea why.

Mac’s got it worse. He’s on an air mattress in the workout room next to their mom’s never-been-used-before Peloton bike. When I invited them all to stay at the inn, they said they didn’t want to mess up any more rooms unnecessarily before we reopened. Which is thoughtful.

All the McCoys are insanely thoughtful.

They went on to assure me they like spending time with their mom and their grandmother, which I totally believe. Then Liv reminded me all three of her siblings have the option of sleeping at any of her aunt and uncles’ houses. Or one of their cousins.

Bottom line: There’s no shortage of helpful family in this town. Olivia’s siblings just like being together. Which is kind of the best. Especially since it means Liv gets to stay at The Beachfront with me.

I’d offered to pick her up from the hospital myself, but Mac and the girls were already there when she got released. Besides, I’ve been here finishing up a surprise for her. So I settled for meeting Liv at the car.

I open her door now to help her out. She’s got a suitcase of things Darby and Tess packed for her, which means she won’t have to sleep in my sweats again.

Too bad.

Wrapping an arm around her body, I tug her in close. Her hair’s still damp, and she smells like sweet shampoo and … cocoa butter.

My Olivia.

“I’ve got you,” I tell her gently.

“I’m not made of glass, bossman.” She releases a shaky breath, and I can practically taste the minty toothpaste on her breath. She’s showered up and fresh, but the bandage at her hairline reminds me she’s still more fragile than usual.

I glance down into the car and make a show of telling her siblings, “I’ll take good care of her.” As we walk slowly toward the stairs and make our way to the porch, my pulse picks up. I’ve got Liv under one arm and her bag slung over my other shoulder, and I know we still have so much to talk about. But I’m ready.

I think.

“So,” she says, as we reach the porch. “I talked to Francine Tomlin.”

My chest goes tight, and I release Liv from my side grip, setting her bag down next to the swing. Our porch swing. All I want is to be back there again, holding her in my arms.

“And?” I turn to face her, raking a hand through my hair.

“And.” She pins me with a stare. “I tried turning her down immediately.”

All the air rushes from my lungs. “Tried?”

She nods. “Then she upped the ante. She offered me more money, more vacation time, more freedom. She even said she’d find work for you at Luxe if that was a deciding factor.”

“Wait.” I blink at her. “You want me to move to Aspen with you?”

Olivia shakes her head. “No.”

“You want to move to Aspen without me?”

“Absolutely not.”

My jaw shifts, still not quite sure what Liv is saying. I need to hear the exact words from her lips. “So what happened?” My question comes out half-strangled. I think I know. But I need to KNOW.

Olivia tips her chin. “I thanked her for the opportunity, and I wished her luck finding the right person for the job. But I told her I am not that right person.”

I suck in a breath, whooping for joy, and I wrap my arms around Liv, pulling her in for a long hug. When she finally detaches herself, she’s chuckling, and a little breathless.

“So that’s it?” I ask her. “You’re done with Luxe? Francine let you go?”

“Not quite,” Liv says. “She told me she’ll be in touch if anything else comes up in the future.”

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