Page 78 of The Bitter Words

My stomach lurches into my throat. That has problems written all over it.

I brace myself. “Why? For what reason would you need that?”

“The idea I was starting to tell you about.” She sheepishly gazes at her dad. “I have a business objective I want some advice on. Would that be okay with you, Daddy? Jaxon is an investor and Cindy, his date, told me he’s the person I should talk to about it.”

“I don’t know, Livianna. Taking on another project with as much as you have on your plate doesn’t seem wise.” He kisses her on the cheek. “Let’s discuss this later.”

“Yeah, okay.” She lowers her head.

Her entire body shrinks and she shuffles away. It’s almost as if he just crushed her dreams.

Iron forms in my chest. I hate seeing people being shut down around something that could change their lives.

My parents think I should remain small and go unnoticed. I keep myself out of the spotlight to limit my exposure, but they still worry.

Livianna’s design line is a great idea. Especially since she’s an actor and has a platform she could market to already in place. Maybe there’s a work-around to how Greg feels.

He pats the side of my arm. “I’m sorry if she put you in an awkward position. She’s doing better with certain things, but she’s a work in progress. Please excuse her if she made you feel uncomfortable.”

“She didn’t.” I gesture to the opening of the downstairs. “If anything, I’m interested in whatever she wants to explore around her career.”

“That’s kind of you, Jaxon, but she takes on too much as it is.”

“What if that weren’t the case? How would you feel about it then?”

“I’m not sure I’m following. Please explain.”

“Before you got out here, she mentioned she was thinking about quitting her show. Maybe she wants to go in a different direction than acting.”

“She said that?” His face bunches up. “That’s news to me.”

“You seem to be the one she wants approval from. If I had my guess, she’s afraid to tell you.”

“Why do you say that?”

“It’s just something I’m picking up on from her.”

“Huh?” He runs his hand over his neck. “You are great at reading people, so you might be right.”

I let him sit with that thought for a moment. I don’t necessarily want her to call me for advice because of how she’s behaved with me before, but she deserves to be heard out.

Maybe I could recommend someone to help her. Who could be good for her to receive advice from?

The last time I interacted with her comes to mind. A wave of nausea floats through me.

I got caught in her seductive trap, not knowing how young she was. She was trying to taunt me and using her body to do it. The second her dad came out and confronted her, she backed off.

I better find out more about how Livianna acts around most people so I can introduce her to the appropriate person to assist her. Nobody wants or needs to be put in a precarious position.

I rest my palm on the top of the concrete railing. “Greg, when I previously saw her, you said you had been having a difficult summer with her. Is that what you’re referring to when you say she’s doing better?”

“Yes. There are still times when she acts out, but she’s seeing a therapist. That seems to be helping her.”

“That’s great. I’m sure you’ll see her continue to mature.”

“I hope so. These next few months will be the test.”

My curiosity leaps. “Why do you say that?”