Page 102 of Finding Olivia (Trace + Olivia 1)

I breathed out a sigh of relief.

She continued, “As soon as I get a job, and find a place of my own, I’ve decided to file for divorce.”

My eyes widened. “I don’t want anything tying me to him. Especially, a marriage,” she removed her wedding band to drive home her point. “It’s time for me to move on and live my life.”

“I’ll be here every step of the way,” I assured her. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

She smiled, tears glassing over her eyes once more. “I know I haven’t been the best mom and that I should have stopped Aaron. I shouldn’t have let…I shouldn’t,” she grabbed a napkin and wiped her tears away. “I shouldn’t have let him hurt you like he did. I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough for you. I hope you’ll let me make it up to you.”

“Mom,” I said fiercely, “there’s nothing to make up for. I understand. I was scared of him too. I know he treated you worse than he did me. This isn’t your fault. I’m happy you’re out of that house now. I promise you, there’s nothing you need to make up for. You’re my mom, you always have been, and you always will be.”

We stared at each other for a moment, and I expected her to say something serious, but instead, she cracked a smile and asked, “So, when do I get to meet this guy of yours?”

???

“You want me to meet your mom?” Trace asked incredulously over the phone.

I coughed into the phone trying to hide my discomfort. “She wants to meet you.”

He sighed. “It’s been a long time since I did the whole, meet the parents thing, but for you, I will.”

I bristled, knowing he was referring to his ex, Aubrey.

“I’m sorry, I hate asking you, but she keeps bugging me about it,” I grumbled, tugging on the strands of my hair.

For the past two days, she had asked me incessantly about Trace. I knew I couldn’t put off this meet and greet forever, and preferred to get it over and done with.

“Don’t apologize,” he replied. “It’s not that I don’t want to meet your mom, I’m just not very good at this. I know what kind of house you grew up in…is she going to think I’m some tattooed criminal or something?” He sounded insecure.

I snickered. “That was my dad—er Aaron—that’s like that. Not my mom. She’ll like you, I promise.”

“Alright,” he mumbled and I heard the sounds of him pacing as his shoes shuffled along the carpet of his bedroom. “When am I supposed to meet her?”

I coughed again. “Tonight,” I squeaked.

“Olivia,” he groaned and I was sure he was pinching the bridge of his nose. “This isn’t a lot of notice.”

“I know and I’m sorry,” I bit my thumbnail.

“What time do you need me to be there?” He asked, sounding resigned.

“Is five o’ clock okay?” I suggested. That gave him three hours to get ready and pep talk himself.

“Yeah,” he huffed. “Where do I need to meet you guys?”

“Avery’s house,” I answered, rattling off directions. “She’ll be gone tonight and so will her brother. My mom wants to cook.”

“Sounds good,” he sighed. “I know I don’t sound happy, but I’m really nervous.”

“It’s fine. I totally understand. I wouldn’t be too happy if you sprung something like this on me,” I told him.

“I’ll see you tonight. And Olivia?”

“Yeah,” I replied reluctantly.

“You owe me big time.”

???

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