“Ouch. How did that go?”Livy glanced at Evelyn, wondering what it must have been like for her to see her soon-to-be ex with his new woman.
“As well as could be expected. He ordered Mom around and told her to sign the divorce papers. Mom stood her ground.”
“Good for you, Aunt Evelyn.”
“I admit to being quite tired of being bullied by him. Anyway, enough of this talk.”Evelyn turned to Austin.“Did you enjoy your dinner?”
“Very much so.”
“Glad you talked Livy into taking the night off.”
“The same could be said to you.”Livy eyed her aunt.
Evelyn laughed.“We’re just two over-worked people…who happen to love what they do.”
Olivia smiled.“And I do love it.”
“We should let you go,”Heather said pointedly.“Mom, let’s duck into this shop. I want to see if they have any of my illustrations in here.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Evelyn.”
“Bright and early.”Evelyn and Heather went into a nearby shop.
“I take it your Aunt is going through a hard divorce,”Austin said.
“Yes, she is. My uncle is…a jerk. A creep. A…never mind. Do you think I still have to call him my uncle after they’re divorced?”
“I think that would be totally up to you.”
“He was a horrible father to Heather and has always treated Aunt Evelyn like she was some kind of possession or something. Never gave her any credit for everything she did for him. Anyway…let’s just say I’m not a fan of his. Never have been. Never will.”Why was she explaining all this to Austin? He probably didn’t want to hear all her family’s problems.
“I’m sorry.”He gave her a sympathetic and supportive look. And his simple remark was just what she needed to hear.
Austin continuedto hold Livy’s hand as they left Evelyn and Heather behind. He was sorry to hear about Evelyn’s troubles. Family dynamics were often complicated. He was very grateful that his parents were still together, and that he hadn’t experienced anything like what Heather must be going through with her folks splitting.
They walked on in silence for a bit, Livy obviously lost in thought. But he was fine with that. Their silence was a comfortable one, and he had thoughts of his own that rambled through his mind. Like when the twins had said that Livy should be dating more. He didn’t want her datingmore. He wanted her to datehim. And it was way too early in the relationship to be thinking this, but he didn’t want her dating someone else. It would…bother him. He knew that.
He was really enjoying spending time with her. He’d been so excited when she asked him to go out again. He’d been respecting her wishes before when she said she didn’t want to date because of Emily. He was thankful for her change of heart. Or thankful for Emily pushing her mom into going out with him again. Whatever the reason, he’d take it.
But he still heard Jesse’s voice in his head.“Don’t hurt her.”
He had no plans to. None at all. He just wanted…
What did he want?
Yes, his mind was a jumble of thoughts.
As they got to the end of the pier, he stopped.“May I walk you home?”
“You don’t have to.”She looked up at him and his breath caught at the simple smile she gave him.
“But I want to. I’m not ready for this night to end.”How’s that for some honesty?
She looked at him for a moment, then nodded.“I’m not ready for it to end either.”
Her admission made his heart sing. He squeezed her hand, and she smiled up at himagain. And his breath caughtagain.
They headed down the sidewalk toward her home. Unfortunately, even though he slowed his pace, they reached her house way too soon.
