Two dogs come running toward us, both headed for Rhett, whimpering and practically begging him to pet them. I always wanted a dog, but my parents wouldn’t let me have one growing up. We didn’t have the space. My parents’ lives have changed so much in just a couple of years, and I haven’t been around to see any of it.Do I even know them anymore?
They move toward me quickly, smiles on their faces, along with dirt and grease. Dad reaches me first, giving me a tight squeeze. “There’s my girl! We’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
Mom quickly inserts herself, grabbing onto my shoulders with tears in her eyes, and pulling me into her. Despite my mom’s ability to be a bit overbearing, her hug affects me. I feel myself melting into her the slightest bit. It’s as if the last several years never happened. I’m back in college, and my mom is my best friend again.
My heart falls out of my chest and shatters at the thought of what once was.
“I’ve missed you so much, Ol. Your dad and I have been so worried about you. We’re never going to let you out of our sight again.” She gives me a teasing smile, but I know she isn’t really joking. “I hope you brought an appetite. This is a special occasion, and we are treating it like one. We brought out all the stops, fresh veggies from the garden, steak from Copper Hill, and—did you bring them, Rhett?”
Rhett pulls the back door of his truck open and slides out a white catering box with pride. “Of course I did!”
“Oh my gosh! I can’t wait to get my paws on those chocolate miracles. Your lava cakes are the best dessert I’ve ever had.” Mom turns to me. “Rhett makes them completely from scratch.”
I jerk my head back and blink at my mom. I’ve never in my life seen her eat dessert, and now she’s eating Rhett’s lava cakes? Let’s not glaze over the fact that this man apparently bakes excellent chocolate desserts. I just don’t know what to make of anyone or anything anymore.
Rhett beams with pride as he opens the box for me to see. Every muscle on his upper body is on display in the tight white t-shirt he’s wearing, so it’s impossible to miss the way his biceps flex as he holds the box. Any negative feelings I had toward him go out the window as I swoon slightly and thinkI’d eat his molten lava cakes any day.
This is getting ridiculous. I donotlike Rhett! Something about him just feels…off.He’s too nice and too close with my parents. That can’t be genuine, right?I have my reasons for not being as close with my parents, but it still really stings to watch them practically replace me with Rhett. Besides, I’m supposed to be in and out of this town. I need to focus on learning how to manage my anxiety so I can go back to work and get promoted. I don’t need any distractions, especially not in the form of handsome cowboys in tight t-shirts.
“We’d better head inside. I don’t think I’ll be able to wait too long to break into these.” Mom nudges Rhett as she takes the box from him. He responds by tossing back a smirk.
As my mom leads the way to the front door, she turns to me. “These cakes might be enough to make you want to stay in Texas, Ol. I swear there’s nothing better.”
I bite my tongue as I try to tamp down the frustration rising inside me. She’s already making comments about me staying here, as if that’s a possibility. I have a feeling all hell is going to break loose tonight.
ChapterSix
Rhett
All through dinner,I’ve been carefully assessing Olivia. I cannot figure her out. She has moments of warmth, but she can also be a bit callous. I’m not sure what it is about her parents that makes her want to keep them at such a distance. After everything she’s been through, I would think she’d understand that she needs some support.
The cherry on top of it all is that despite the qualities that make me want to just implode on her, I still have this strange feeling in my gut when I’m around her. She ignites something in me that I haven’t allowed myself to feel in more than four years. It feels simultaneously amazing and terrifying.
I pour Jack another glass of Scotch as Olivia helps her mom wash dishes. Mandi rambles on about all the things she’s excited to do with her daughter in Roots, and Olivia just stands there, drying a dish silently and staring at a spot on the wall.
What is going on with her?Her parents are amazing! They’re the parentsI wishI had, and she doesn’t even appreciate them. She has parents that love and support her no matter what. I wouldloveto have that.
“You and Rhett should definitely hang out while you’re in town. He knows Roots better than any local. He can show you all the cool places,” Mandi insists with a smile.
I can see Olivia’s defenses immediately rising again. She’s on guard, eyeing me and wondering what the catch is.
“I’m sure Rhett has much better things to do than show me around town. Besides, I was thinking I should find a job around here. It’d be good to make a little money and have something to do. As long as I don’t work for a competitor of my firm, I can still work during my leave of absence.”
“Just because youcanwork doesn’t mean youshould. Don’t you think you should be taking it easy? Maybe this would be a good time to see a therapist and work through your episodes.”
“You know counseling isn’t a good fit for me, and even if I got help, I’m not going to spend my entire three months in therapy. You promised you wouldn’t do this, Mom. I said I was going to figure out how to handle my anxiety on my own. You don’t need to make it your problem. That was theonecondition I gave you when I agreed to come here.”
“I know, honey, but I can’t help being worried. I didn’t hear from you for weeks and then when I finally talked to you, I found out you’ve been having your episodes again. Do you know what that does to a mother?”
“And a father!” Jack chimes in.
“And a father,” Mandi amends. “All any parent wants is to see their child grow up and thrive. I can take not hearing from you for a while if it’s because you’re out there doing wonderful things that make you happy, but instead, you were just pummeling yourself into the ground, working seventy-hour weeks and having episodes the whole way through. I think it’d be smart for you to take this as a break, and get some professional help while you work on your mental health. You haven’t taken a breath in two years. When else will you get this opportunity again?”
Olivia visibly swallows as if she’s trying to tamp down whatever words she was about to unleash on her mom.
“I get where you’re coming from, but the reason I’m here is to show you that I’mfine. I had a low point, but I’m past it. You don’t need to worry about me.”
