As if sensing my question, my mom came to the room next. “Welcome to the club,” she said with a laugh.
“What do you mean?”
“Your grandma put me and your mama inso manyawkward situations throughout the years. They were so uncomfortable, I don’t even want to repeat them now, but allyou need to know is that your grandma accidentally proposed to your mama for me. It doesn’t get much worse than that.”
I had no idea what she was talking about, but the fact that she wasn’t acting weird around me made me feel better. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Also,” my mom leaned in to whisper to me. “Just for the record, I’m abigfan of Jax. So is your mama.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or crawl under the covers in embarrassment, but I didn’t get the chance, because the next family member was waiting to talk to me.
My stomach dropped when I saw who it was. My mom squeezed my shoulder before leaving me and Olivia to talk alone.
Olivia sat down on the bed beside me, but didn’t say a word.
My mouth was dry, and my throat felt heavy as I tried to force myself to speak. “I was going to tell you today. I promise.”
“Which part? The fact that you’re fucking my best friend or that you’re in love with her?” Olivia was stone-faced, but after a few seconds, she broke into a smile and then laughed. “Both of those things are okay. Just for the record.”
Relief swept through me. I was so happy Olivia wasn’t mad at us, but I still felt guilty about what had just happened. “This isn’t how I wanted you to find out though.”
“I kind of already knew. At least I suspected.”
“How?” There’s really only one way she could have figured it out. “Was it New Years?”
“That helped to confirm my suspicions, but I was starting to figure it out before that. I know you and Jax better than I know anyone else in this world, and for the last few months you’ve both been happier than I’ve ever seen you before. The biggest difference in both of your lives was each other, so I just kind of put the pieces together.”
“And you’re sure it’s okay?”
“My best friend and sister dating? Hell yeah. I’ve always felt like Jax was family. Maybe you can make that official.” She elbowed me playfully.
I sighed. I knew this conversation was supposed to be making me feel better, but it was reminding me of the next big step I needed to take. “It might help if I told her how I felt.”
Olivia’s eyes went wide. “She doesn’t know?”
I shook my head. “She might have figured it out by now, but I haven’t told her. I didn’t think I was brave enough to fall in love again, but Jax makes me brave.”
Olivia scoffed. “So, tell her for fuck’s sake. What the hell are you waiting for?”
I pointed between us. “This. I wanted to make sure I had your blessing before I confessed my feelings and hope to god that she feels the same.”
“My blessing?” Olivia laughed. “Are you eighty-five?”
“What can I say? I’m an old soul.”
Olivia put her arm around me and leaned her head on my shoulder. “I know. It’s one of the things I love about you. I’m sure it’s one of the things Jax loves about you too.”
“I don’t actually know if she loves me. Or even if she definitely likes me for that matter.”
Olivia snorted out another laugh. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” She bumped her hip against mine. “So, when are you going to tell her?”
“As soon as possible.” I gasped when the perfect idea popped into my head. “And I think I know exactly how I’m going to do it.”
Chapter 25
After spending the day finishing my novel, picking out my favorite part, and convincing my grandma she didn’t need to call an exterminator without actually admitting how I knew that, I was ready for my big confession.
I changed out of my mama’s turtleneck and into a low-cut V-neck red sweater that Jax had told me she really liked a few weeks ago. The fact that she couldn’t get it off of me fast enough the night I wore it confirmed that. Olivia helped me use makeup to cover up my hickey, and it turned out she was much better at it. According to her, it was thanks to years of experience.
