Page 41 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

OLIVIA

Not at all. I’m just … I had no idea. Happy Birthday.

HUDSON

Thank you.

She doesn’t reply. No bubbles either. Yeah, I definitely made it weirder.

HUDSON

I’m headed to bed now. So, sleep well. Don’t let the mannequins freak you out.

OLIVIA

They’re dress dummies, remember? I decided to name them Tess and Darby.

HUDSON

Do they steal your fries, too?

OLIVIA

No. I only share fries with friends.

Right. Friends. Don’t forget that, Hudson.

Happy Birthday to me.

Chapter Fifteen

Olivia

“Knock knock.” My mother sticks her head into the sewing room without waiting for an invitation. At least I’m already dressed for work. Let’s just say privacy has been in short supply since I’ve been staying here. “I made bacon and eggs,” she says. “Want some?”

“Sounds good, but I had a bowl of cereal.”

“Already?” She pulls a face. “You must’ve been up at the crack of dawn.”

I nod, buckling the strap on my sandals. “I made a batch of cupcakes. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll replace the cake mix and frosting I used.”

“Wait. You’re the mystery Betty Crocker?” My mom huffs out a surprised laugh. “When I saw the baking stuff out on the counter this morning, I figured Big Mama had another one of her midnight sleepwalking episodes.”

I tilt my head. “Big Mama bakes when she’s sleeping?”

“It’s only happened once, but waking up to four dozen chocolate chip cookies isn’t something you soon forget.”

“Ha! I can imagine.” I stand from the pull-out futon, stretching out my spine. My back doesn’t love sleeping on a collapsible bed, but I’ve loved getting this extra time with my mom and Big Mama.

“So what’s with the crack-of-dawn cupcakes?” My mother steps all the way into the room, bypassing the sewing table and dress dummies.

“They’re for Hudson.”

“Hudson?” Her brows lift almost to her hairline. “Is baking for your boss part of the job description?”

“Yesterday was his birthday.” I shrug. “So I thought cupcakes would be a nice gesture. No big deal.”

“Hmmm.” She appraises me for a moment. “If it’s no big deal, then why is your mouth doing that thing?”

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