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How much of that situation did he explain to Olivia? “They might not buy it, but I won’t have to worry so much about whether the house earns or loses money if I can start playing again. The first chance I get, I’m going to buy my father out of the project and return his investment.”
She nodded. At the mention of him leaving, her eyes were shimmering with sadness.
It was ironic that the house had brought him back to Lark Springs and Olivia, and now it was one of the reasons he had to leave. He’d gotten so used to seeing her every day, to staring into her eyes, to feeling her body next to his as they kissed. And soon he’d have to rely on video calls.
“The season won’t last forever,” he said. “Long distance won’t kill us.” He pushed an errant strand away from her face and dropped a kiss on her lips. And then, because he was already missing her, he dropped another kiss on her mouth, this time longer. His arms tightened around her waist, holding her to him, feeling more of her warmth. He liked that she was so tall, that she fit against him so nicely. He didn’t ever want to let her go.
A car neared in the parking lot. Someone hooted and called out, “Miss Travers, no need to ask how your summer is going!”
Carson looked up to see a bunch of teenagers hanging out the windows of a scruffy Chevy, laughing and waving. They passed by on their way to the McDonald’s drive-through.
Olivia watched them go. “No need to put up a couple selfie. People will know about us now.”
“Good,” he said and kissed her again.
21
Olivia’s drive back to the cabin was a much happier trip. She followed Carson’s truck, staring at his broad shoulders while she drove. He wanted a long-distance relationship with her. He’d turned down Megan. Olivia wouldn’t let herself dwell on the fact that he was leaving soon. For today, she would just bask in the knowledge that he’d chosen her.
She was still happy when they got to the cabin. At least she was until Carson helped her unload the paint from her car and said, “Remember how I said my parents wanted to have dinner with you?”
“Yeah.”
“My mom called a few minutes ago. She insists on having that dinner today.”
Olivia cast a glance at the street. “You mean we need to drive back to Lark Springs?”
“Even worse. She’s driving up here right now. Which means she’ll probably want to stay up here and help out until I leave.” He headed toward the garage with the paint. “I warned you that she might do that. You’re never too old to have your parents embarrass you.”
Olivia followed after him. “She’s coming right now?”
“She said she’ll make dinner while we work so we can all have a nice hot meal when we’re done.”
Olivia checked her watch. It was nearly three. “That means I’m not going to be able to work for long. I’ll have to shower, do my hair, put on makeup—and I don’t have any meeting-your-boyfriend’s-parents clothes up here.”
He chuckled, unconcerned, and headed across the garage. “Technically you’ve already met my father. So that means you only have to dress up half as much.”
“It doesn’t work that way.”
He opened the door to the house and stood aside for her to go through first. “I’m sure my mom will like you. See, I’m already remembering to be a gentleman.”
She stepped inside. “I can’t leave the first meeting to chance. You need to tell me what to say to impress her. What kind of people does she like? Outgoing? Serious-minded?”
“Hard-working art teachers who know how to use power tools.”
He wasn’t giving her a straight answer, but she didn’t get to press him for more details. Tomas descended on them to ask Carson about hanging the chandeliers.
Olivia left them to do that and began taping off a wall near the front door so she could paint it and show Carson that Benjamin Moore Muslin matched the wood better. A few minutes later when Mr. Clark walked by, he nodded a greeting at her. “Glad Carson found you and explained the situation. He should’ve told me about the two of you in the first place.” Then Mr. Clark went back to work as though nothing was different.
Maybe it wasn’t for him. He’d probably already met a bevy of girlfriends.
Olivia only cut out of work half an hour early. She really needed more time to make herself presentable, but she didn’t want Carson’s father to think she was slacking off in order to primp.
Before she could finish blow-drying her hair, Carson texted her that dinner was ready, and he was helping his parents set up by the pool. The patio furniture there was the easiest to access. He also added, “I will, of course, be rating your performance during dinner like it’s a job interview. Strive for: Exceeds expectations.”
She knew he was trying to joke her out of being nervous. It wasn’t working.
Olivia hurried outside, wondering if she would’ve made a better impression if she’d forgone the shower and offered to help Mrs. Carson prepare the meal. Probably not. Then not only would she have smelled like a construction worker, Mrs. Carson would’ve realized how lacking Olivia’s culinary skills were.
