Logan nods and waits for me to get in and buckle up before he shuts the door.
Forgiveness is easy.
Forgetting is much harder.
But some things are worth giving a second chance.
I think my husband might just be one of those things.
OLIVIA
Well Olivia, what do you think a
healthy relationship should look like?
I’m guessing the answer doesn’t
involve his hand around my throat
while he asks if I’m ready to be
a good girl, right?
Depends on how tight his hold is.
I love the way you get me.
—Conversation between Delia and Olivia
“Come on, husband. Time to face the firing squad.” Logan and I barely made it in time for the wedding, which was a blessing in disguise because it meant no one had a chance to notice us or interrogate us. However, given the death glare my mother is shooting across the vineyard, my ass needs to get in front of her right now. “Wait.”
I stop the passing waiter and grab two champagne flutes.
Logan looks between both of my hands. “I’m not much of a champagne guy, Olivia.”
“Oh, you sweet summer child.” I swallow the entire first flute and point at the corner of the dance floor. The one under the Edison bulbs strung between two wine barrels. “See my parents over there?”
“Yeah,” he grumbles like I’ve lost my mind, and I take a gulp-size sip of the other flute.
“Well, do you see the people surrounding them?” This is so bad.
“I’ve got eyes, Olive.” His fingers dig into my hip where the weight of his hand feels divine as I lean into him.
“Oh, Livvy...” Serena stage-whispers as she and Rafe join the two of us. “The parentals are staring.”
“Which parentals?” Rafe asks, and the fucker sounds giddy as he hands Logan a glass of dark red wine. They’re both enjoying this at our expense.
“All of them,” I grumble and nod with a tight face. “We’re so screwed.”
“Why?” Logan shoots a glance my parents’ way. “They were fine when we were at their house. Maybe not my biggest fans, but I thought it went well.”
“Dude. You’re fucked.” Serena doesn’t even bother to try and act like she feels bad for him. “You see, any set of our parents are bad enough alone. I mean, mine are worse than Liv’s. But that’s beside the point. Because right now...” They all look that wayagain, not even trying to avoid being obvious.Morons. “That right there.” She motions toward the group of them all together. “That’s the fucking trifecta.” Serena lifts her champagne flute and points their way. Again. Like she’s trying to draw attention. “You’ve got my mom and dad. Dad’s the oldest and arguably the scariest man here tonight, and if you’ve met my aunt, you know that’s saying something. Then there’s Uncle Becks, the senator, Livvy’s mom and dad, Uncle Hudson, the other former world champion MMA fighter. And,oh shit?—”
I make the mistake of looking over there and realize immediately why Serena just stopped. “Son of a bitch.”
“What?” Logan asks. “It gets worse?” he looks like he doesn’t believe me, and Rafe looks like a kid in a candy shop who just stole the fucking candy and is about to let his brother take the blame for it.
“So much worse,” I grumble.
