Page 20 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

Now my palm’s empty, and Hudson Blaine has seen me in my underwear.

Again.

Sutton’s eyes go soft, and she presses a smile onto her face. “You took a leap of faith, Liv. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Except I’m basically in free fall now.” I wrinkle my nose. “So before I go splat, I’m tossing out a safety net between me and the ground.”

Even as I say this, my throat clogs with regret. My stomach’s in knots, and there’s a figurative tail between my legs. But at least I’m wearing my own clothes now.

Silver linings, Olivia. Silver linings.

“Anyway.” I force out a weak chuckle. “Would you two think I was a total loser if I asked to move back into my old room?” I’d covered the rent so they’d have time to find someone to sublet while I found a better job. And we all know how that went.

What a joke.

“Oh, no,” Sutton groans, her brow falling. “I’m so sorry, Liv.”

“I know. Me, too.” I sigh. “But at least I got to visit my family in Abieville. It could’ve been worse, I guess.”

“No, Liv.” Naomi chimes in. “She means we’re sorry, but … your room’s already taken.”

I suck in a breath and my insides plummet.

No safety net.

Splat.

“Chad’s lease was up,” Naomi explains, “and he needed a place to stay. Like, right away. But don’t worry. We’re going to refund you the rent you already paid.”

Chad. Naomi’s boyfriend. How did I not see this coming?

“You seemed so sure about leaving,” Sutton says, knocking her shoulder against Naomi. “And Nay told Chad he couldn’t share her room until he puts a ring on it.”

So you gave him my room.

Fair enough. I’m the one who left them. My roommates needed a new renter.

“Well, that’s exciting news!” I chirp, swallowing against the lump in my throat. I can’t let them think I have no other options. I already feel pathetic enough. “I’m really happy for you, Naomi. Having Chad right down the hall instead of across town will be great. And he’ll probably be way better at killing spiders than I was.”

Sutton’s mouth quirks. “You never kill spiders.”

“My point exactly.” I push out another laugh. “See? You two really leveled up with your new roommate.”

Sutton cringes. “If we had any idea?—”

“No, it’s totally okay,” I cut her off. “But you know what? I’d better go make dinner now. My blood sugar’s dropping, and spaghetti doesn’t boil itself!”

“We love you, Oli?—”

“Same!” I end the call, collapsing on the fold-out futon that’s been my bed since I arrived. But I can’t hide in the sewing room forever. I’m basically jobless. Homeless.

Hopeless.

The only thing to do now is drown my sorrows in a big pot of pasta. Not that a normal person can drown in noodles, but my life’s been full of surprises.

Plus I’m a terrible cook.

I find Big Mama working on a crossword puzzle in the living room. The cozy space is at the front of the house and wide open to the kitchen. We’re the only ones home since my mom’s on her daily walk around town with my aunts.

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