Page 32 of What We Got Wrong

And that’s when they started to see her fold in on herself. That’s when she disappeared, or at least, that’s how Liv felt, like she was forcing all the pieces of herself into tiny boxes, and some of them were fading away.

She had been married to Conner Jamison for three months when she’d landed on her parents’ doorstep, not because of anything her husband had done, but because she was absolutely miserable, living inside her own head. It was at that point that they decided to go to therapy as a family, just the three of them, and began working on their issues, but it wasn’t until years later that she told them about everything that had happened, about who Liv really was.

“I think they’re just glad that I’m still here,” Liv said, choking on the words.

“Livvie,” Audrey said, her eyes filling with tears. As she reached for a napkin to dab them away, she chuckled softly. “This is not at all the conversation I thought I was coming in here for.”

“I’m not sure I believe that,” Liv said.

“I miss her too,” her cousin said softly. “I know you lost your sister, but I lost my favorite cousin.”

“Rude,” Liv replied, though she appreciated the attempt to lighten the conversation.

“I felt like I lost you too, a little bit. I barely ever heard from you, especially after you went to school. And you never let me come to visit.” Liv shot her a guilty smile, and Audrey nodded. “I guess that makes a bit more sense now.”

“Right?” Liv giggled again.

“I can’t believe you dated her. She’s gorgeous.”

“She is,” Liv agreed. “We never exactly dated, though. It’s incredibly complicated, and I don’t have the energy to get into it right now. But, maybe another time?”

“Of course, I will sit with you and talk about this literally any time that works for you,” Audrey said.

Both of their phones went off then, and when Liv turned to see the notification, she groaned audibly. It was the app they had made specifically for this week, with the schedule of events, conference room map, and a social media element that allowed folks to share pictures of their time in Chicago. It also allowed the company to send notifications and announcements like the one that had just gone out, announcing the name of the celebrity guest to all the attendees:

Rhea Stewart.

“Fuck,” Liv said under her breath. She was definitely blushing again, embarrassed that she’d done something so obvious: planned a giant, unwelcome gesture that was going to make her seem completely caught up in the past. And, sure, maybe she was, but did she have to make it so readily apparent to Quinn?

“Why are you upset?” Audrey asked, looking at her like she was crazy. “You don’t want to do the interview?”

“No, that’s not it,” Liv replied, not particularly interested in diving into this either. “I was the one who asked Rhea to come, actually.”

“I don’t get it,” Audrey said, genuinely confused. “You picked this speaker for this event and now you…what? Would rather be staring listlessly at the wall? Pining after your college girlfriend?”

“She wasn’t my girlfriend,” was all Liv said.

Audrey rolled her eyes and then thought for a moment before bursting out with laughter. “She’s a swimmer.”

“Yes, of course. Rhea Stewart is a very famous swimmer. Seven Olympic medals, four of them gold…”

“Nuh uh. Not her,” Audrey replied. “Your lady friend. She mentioned it last night.”

It only took a moment for Liv to give in. “She’s a swimmer.”

“A big Rhea Stewart fan,” Audrey assumed.

“She hung her poster in our dorm, yeah,” Liv admitted. It had moved with them each year, Quinn always finding a space for Rhea.

“That is so…weirdly sweet,” Audrey said, and Liv threw a napkin at her. They had completely ignored the food, but Liv finished her coffee, already wishing she had more. “Well, please let me know if you need any help with Operation Bangable Giant. Because you are clearly trying to get into her pants. Or…back in her pants?”

“I’m not answering that. I wish I could unhear everything you just said.” Liv stood from the table, stretching her arms towards the ceiling. “Now, please get out so I can get ready. I don’t think my dad will let me fake sick two days in a row.”

“I totally knew you were faking,” Audrey replied as Liv walked her to the door.

“And, hey,” Liv said slowly. “Thanks for checking in on me this morning. Even if you were here for nefarious reasons.”

Audrey cackled at that. “I just wanted you to spill the tea. Guess I have to be satisfied with a few droplets.”