Page 106 of Love on the Run

“Oh, I thought you were talking about the one where I argue with adults and try to convince strangers to pay my clients money.”

“That is weird too. Although I am super proud of you for being brave enough to stand up to strangers, even if it took you long enough to stand up to your mother.”

Anna sighed. “It’s easy to be confident when I have evidence to back me up. I don’t have any of that when Mom comes at me in a rage.”

Olivia slid her arm around Anna and squeezed. “You do now. From what I heard, you put your foot down. I just wish I’d been there to see it.”

“Thanks for letting me stay here. I promise I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I find a new place.”

Liv plopped on the bed beside the piles of clothes. “Take your time. I have no complaints about having my bestie stay with me all the time.”

“Yeah, but you and Dawson just got married. You need space and privacy.”

Dawson and Olivia decided to tie the knot in a private ceremony and have a reception party in the spring before Wolf Creek Ranch opened for the season. With Olivia’s possible infertility, they didn’t want to wait to try for a family.

“It’s not like our rooms share a wall. We’re on the other side of the house, and I don’t expect you to show up at my bedroom asking for a glass of water.”

Anna chuckled. “You’re right. I’ll stay on my side.”

Olivia grabbed the next few pieces of clothing and handed them to Anna. “You know, Beau is welcome here too.”

Beau. She barely went ten seconds without thinking about him. The way he supported her. The way he’d assured her he would be by her side. The way he’d worked hard to help her get moved into Olivia’s place on short notice. He was a man of few words, but actions told her more about him than anything he could say.

“Thanks for that. I hate that I’ve already takenup so much of his time since we got back. I didn’t expect to have to move on such short notice.”

“Can I tell you something?” Olivia asked.

“The fact that you’re asking is a little scary. Since when do you think before you speak?”

Liv rolled her eyes and handed over another dress. “Ha-ha. You’re so funny. In that case, I’ll just say it. I think you and Beau have something really special.”

Anna’s heart rate picked up speed as if she were running a marathon instead of hanging up clothes. She smiled, then quickly squashed it. “I think so too, but I’m terrified.”

“Why?”

“Because I always think with my heart and don’t always use my head. What if I’m so excited that I mess it up again?”

Olivia held up a finger. “Hold up. The fiasco with he-who-shall-not-be-named was not your fault. I’ll agree that you were a little stubborn and had some pretty strong blinders on, but I admire your strength in the aftermath. You did the right thing walking away from him and standing up to your mom.”

“I’m glad I did it too, but it’s hard to know which way is up when my world is turning upside down. It all happened so quickly.”

Olivia reached for Anna’s hand. “But I’m right here, and I’ll keep you on the right path. I love you,girl, and I know you’re going to be better off after the dust settles. I just want you to know that Beau is going to stand by you too. He’s good for you, and you’re good for him.”

Anna let out a sarcastic chuckle. “Beau doesn’t need me. He’s got it all figured out.”

“He needs you,andhe wants you. You’re going to be so good for him.”

“I’m glad you think that. Sometimes I feel like this whole thing is one-sided.”

Olivia’s mouth turned up in a mischievous grin as she pulled her phone from her pocket. “Look at this.”

She turned her phone around to show Anna the screen. It was a photo of her friends as they unpacked yesterday. The bedroom was filled with boxes. Bella sat on the bed handing books to Anna from an open box. Dawson and Beau stood in the corner of the room next to the dresser.

“Why are you showing me this?” Anna asked.

“Look at Beau.”

Beau’s arms were crossed over his chest, and Dawson was clearly talking to him. “Yeah.”

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