Page 97 of Sweet Escape
My dad lost his mom just a few days shy of his high school graduation, but he’s always talked about her being our guardian angel. Despite the rift between us, I wanted to honor her in some way. Wilder agreed without question.
“Thank you,” he murmurs. “She woulda been so proud of you. She’da had my ass for what I did, that’s for damn sure.”
I let out a watery laugh. “I wish I had the chance to meet her.”
“God, Liv. She would’ve loved you so much. You’ve got a lot of her fierceness in you.” He squeezes my hand and gives me a sad smile. “You’re gonna be an amazing mama, just like she was.”
I sniffle and wipe at my tears. “Thanks, Dad. Did you and Russell figure your shit out?”
“Yeah. I think we did. Gonna need to have a talk with Uncle Nate. Seems he mighta had a hand in some sabotage back in the day. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“You really think he’d do something like that?”
“Your uncle hasn’t always been level-headed. He’s made a few bad choices in his day, but don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. I’ll make it right.” He pulls me in for one last side hug. “I’d better get going. But Grammy wanted me to tell you we’re moving the Sullivan family dinners to every other Monday night. Now that you have your Sundays occupied, and Sarah’s busy with the salon, it’s what works best for everyone.”
“See you Monday then?”
“See you Monday.”
Chapter 26
He loves me
?Pushing Up Daisies - Brothers Osborne
24 weeks: Baby is the size of an ear of corn
Olivia
The overwhelming blendof chemicals and hair products assaults me as I step inside the salon on Main. It’s all boho vibes and earthy tones, emanating a sense of tranquility and relaxation you don’t see in older salons. It’s less clinical and more intimate in a way. My cousin, Sarah, recently took over ownership of the place, integrating extra spa services and upgrading some of the equipment. It’s clear she’s put her heart and soul into it, and it’s a perfect reflection of her eclectic personality.
I missed the grand opening while I was in Denver, but I sent a pothos plant to congratulate her. Sarah’s always had a green thumb, but she prefers house plants to flowers, as evidenced by the abundance of them scattered around the salon.
Sarah’s best friend, Nia, is parked behind the reclaimed wood counter. She’s filing her nails when her gaze snaps to me. “Liv? Is that you? Oh my God, girl. I haven’t seen you in so long. How have you been? No way. Are you…”
I hold up a hand, cutting her off mid-rant. If you don’t get ahead of her, Nia will just keep talking. “Pregnant? Very. Sarah didn’t tell you?”
“Contrary to what you might think of me, and my proximity to Grammy, I’m not a gossip,” Sarah says, standing from where she’d been crouched beside her best friend. “What brings you to my neck of the woods?” She opens a new box of hair foils.
“I can’t reach my toes anymore. As talented as Wilder is with hooves, I’m not sure I trust him with my feet.”
Nia giggles, wordlessly guiding me to the spa chair. “How is the hot cowboy doing, anyway?”
“So, she’s gossiped enough for you to know about the hot cowboy.”
Sarah barks out a laugh, parking herself in the chair beside mine. “Oh, please. The whole town knows about the two of you. You aren’t exactly subtle, Liv. Didn’t you pay like $2,000 for him at the Blossom Festival bachelor auction?”
“It was $1,300, and I was coerced by Grammy.”
“Right. Sure. Let’s pretend the man isn’t a walking, talking wet dream.”
Nia prepares the basin for my pedicure, adding a variety of products I can’t even begin to name, but they smell heavenly. When I dip my toes in the water, the warmth spreads throughout my entire body, relaxing me into a state of pure bliss.
Sarah’s phone chimes in her pocket, and her face flushes when she glances at the screen. “Is it him?” Nia asks, excitement bubbling out of her as she makes grabby hands at the phone.
She passes it over, and Nia’s brown eyes widen to saucers. “Holy shit. What are you going to say?”
“I don’t know! I’m not good at this flirting stuff.”
