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Mom fake chuckles, not knowing what else to do as she plays with her wedding ring to pass the awkward silence.
My sister, on the other hand, glowers at him as if he’s the biggest piece of shit on the planet. Honestly, I think it’s the first time she’s ever silently stuck up for me.
“It’s Olive’s birthday,” Mom professes matter-of-factly as Hudson slowly steers those green eyes at me. “We make reservations every year at this French bistro on the corner of Ninth and Maple. They have the best ratatouille with ruby snapper. It’s to die for, literally. The best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
Mom keeps speaking as if anyone in this conversation gives a fuck while Hudson holds my gaze.
His stare is blank, but I know the one.
It says he’s going to wrap those long fingers around my neck and squeeze.
And not with his dick inside me.
“Sounds great,” he replies flatly. “But she’s on the clock and has a lot of work to do.”
“But—”
“I’ll see you later, Mom,” I interject to keep her from bitching about how I just can’t stop what I’m doing to go hang out with her. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Yet my mother isn’t deterred by my rushing her out.
Instead, her eyes slit. “Don’t try to change the subject because I’ve made special plans for you this year.”
Oh, God, fuck me.
I can’t even begin to fathom what that could be.
“Yeah, Mom, I’m not sure I’m available tonight.”
She straight glowers at me. “We do this every year.”
“And this year, I’m busy.”
With Rory.
I refuse to spend another birthday with my mother and sister and their constant complaints about my life.
If anything, Hudson has made me want to fight back and not take any more shit from them.
“Norah invited Spencer Debenetti to dinner.”
My brows knit. “Who?”
“One of Martin’s friends,” my sister replies for Mom. “He works in accounting and he’s back on the market again.”
A vein in Hudson’s jaw tics and this just couldn’t have worked out any better right now.
“Uninvite him,” I convey simply. “I’m not dating right now and I’m not going to be there.”
“But he’s perfect for you,” Mom adds. “He has a great job with benefits. He owns a nice home and car and he’s responsible.”
“Good for him.” I pry my staring contest off Hudson and meet my mother’s confused expression. “Uninvite him.”
“That’s rude, Liv,” Norah reprimands me. “He’s really looking forward to meeting you and?—”
“I don’t care if he’s a prince, Norah,” I bite back. “I said no. I’m not dating. I don’t want to be set up. I don’t want to meet Martin’s friend. I don’t need a dude with a 401k. Get rid of him.”
“But Rory needs a?—”
