Page 46 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

“It is.” I nod, impressed.

“He’s going to produce the first three films himself, with options for more, depending on how they do at the box office.”

“You deserve this, man,” I say. The news really is amazing. Two years ago, Brady risked a long-term career path to pursue his dream of being an author. Now he’s making it happen, and then some. I’m happy for him.

We go in for one of those slap-you-on-the-back man-hugs, then Olivia throws her arms around both of us. Her hand at the base of my spine sends a shiver of attraction through the core of me.

So I slowly pull away.

Even if Olivia’s not actually the love ’em and leave ’em type, I’m still not in the market for any kind of relationship. She’s here for a reason. Then she’ll be gone.

In the meantime, I just wish her touch didn’t feel so good.

Chapter Seventeen

Olivia

“Hey, Liv!” Tess’s grin lights up my phone screen, and I suddenly realize how much I missed my sister. Our sibling group chats are one thing, but actually being face to face with Tess is another. “This is a fun surprise,” she chirps. “What’s up?”

“Oh, nothing. I’m just on a lunch break. Hudson left a while ago to go run errands, so I decided to eat outside.” I hold up my phone and treat her to the panoramic view from my seat on the porch swing. “Where are you?”

“At Sunny Camp, of course.” Tess holds her phone up to show me the view of her tiny office. “Don’t be jealous of my wall.” Besides sitting on Apple Valley’s town council, Tess directs the parks program and their summer sleep-away camp. From June through August, she’s pretty much always there.

“Are you busy?” I ask.

“Nah. I just finished a brainstorming session planning this year’s field trips. I’ve got a few more minutes before I have to head out to a budget meeting.” A smile breaks across her face. Happiness is written all over my sister.

“You really love your job, don’t you?” I ask.

Her smile slides into a smirk. “And it’s about time, right? I had to go through about a million of them before I found my calling—unlike you and Darby who pretty much always knew what you wanted to do with your lives.”

“I guess.” My stomach twinges. At least Tess is half right. Darby always dreamed of going to med school, but I sort of backed into marketing and publicity. I didn’t expect to spend my life creating glossy surfaces and curated content. I just happened to be good at it.

“So how are things going there?” she asks.

“Good,” I say. “Really good.” But my voice is too clipped and bright to fool my sister.

“Hmmm.” She tips her brow. “I’m not buying it.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Your face is doing that thing when you have something on your mind.”

“Heh.” I bite back a smirk. “Mom said pretty much those exact words earlier today.”

“So. I’m right, then. Spill.”

I prop my phone up on the railing next to the porch swing. “I mean, everything’s great with the inn. And I feel like I have the potential to make a difference here. For the Johnsons. For Mac’s investment. For the whole town, really.”

“And … what about for you, Liv?”

“Me?” I settle back in my seat, wrinkling my nose. “I might be better at helping other people figure out what they want than answering that question for myself.”

“Which is why I’m asking you now.”

“Okay.” I press my lips together. “Let’s see. I think this experience will be good for me eventually. Good for my resume, I mean. And I’ve had some breathing room to get over the disappointment of being passed over for that promotion.”

“Stupid Luxe.” Tess shrugs. “Their loss.”

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