“I guess Dad’s not a fan?”
His mother let out a sigh. “That’s the other thing I needed to tell you in person. Your father and I are getting a divorce. It’ll be finalized in a few weeks.”
“What?” Finn leaned back against the kitchen island, a little thunderstruck.
“I’m sorry to say this in front of your guest,” she said, sending Liv an apologetic look. “But yes. He hasn’t lived here for a few months. I know it’s probably hard to understand since you’ve been gone for a while, but things…”
He lifted a hand. “Mom, you don’t have to explain to me. I always wondered why you stayed with him so long. I’m just shocked you’re actually going through with it.”
She shrugged. “Well, after a health scare last year, I got this idea for the wine bar in my head.”
His chest tightened. “Health scare?”
“I’m fine. Turned out to be nothing. But it could’ve been bad. And afterward, I had this need to do something. Otherwise, what’s left? Just counting out my years here in the house, waiting for him to get home from work? So I told him I was going to do it with or without his approval. He gave me an ultimatum. Him or the business idea.” She pointed a finger at him. “Word of advice: don’t give a woman an ultimatum.”
Liv made a sound in the back of her throat and then quickly shoved her appetizer in her mouth.
“Wow, Mom. Good for you,” Finn said, swelling with pride for his mother. “I mean, I’m sorry about the divorce. I’m sure that’s hard, but maybe you two will be better off doing your own things.”
She patted his arm. “I’m sure we’ll both be just fine, honey. Now enough unpleasant talk. I want to hear about you. What have you been up to since you ended your assignment? And how’d you and Liv reconnect?”
Finn opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get anything out, Jill’s voice drifted into the kitchen. “Mom, the neighbors are here!”
The neighbors? Why would the…
Oh. Shit.
“Oh, honey, I hope you don’t mind. I invited the Lindts. I didn’t realize you were bringing a guest, and I thought you could use the company of an old friend.”
Before he could even attempt to warn Liv, Mr. Lindt walked in with his daughter following right behind.
Rebecca froze in the doorway, her attention on Finn and Liv, and looked to be just as shocked to see them as he was to see her.
He turned to Liv, who looked like she’d swallowed her devil whole, horse and all.
Welp. So much for the family visit not being awkward.
chapter
TWENTY-ONE
Liv nearly choked on her bacon when Rebecca appeared in the doorway. Bec was perfectly coiffed with a pretty cream-colored blouse and pale-blue capri pants. She looked like a perfect match for this garden party—the elegant southern debutante—but based on Rebecca’s wide eyes, she was just as surprised to see Liv as Liv was to see her. Rebecca’s father—who was dressed in shirt and tie, even though it was a Saturday—offered a stiff smile to Mrs. Dorsey and kissed her cheek in greeting.
“It smells wonderful in here, Barbara. Thanks for inviting us. It’s been a while since I’ve had a home-cooked meal.”
He handed her a box from the local bakery, and they exchanged more pleasantries. Finn’s expression was mildly pained. But Liv shifted her attention to the woman who looked like she was ready to slowly walk out backward, hoping no one noticed her. Liv refused to let this be weird. She went straight to Rebecca with a smile. “Hola, chica. This is a surprise.”
“Hey.” Rebecca glanced at the others, nodded politely at Barbara, and then lifted her hand in awkward greeting for Finn. She lowered her voice. “And surprise is one word for it.”
“Guess you didn’t know the guest list either.”
“Oh, these look delicious,” Rebecca said loud enough for the others to hear, and then she grabbed Liv’s elbow, guiding her away from the others. They parked on the far side of the kitchen island where they pretended to admire the deviled eggs. She gave Liv an earnest look. “Liv, I had no idea you and Finn were going to be here. Dad just said he’d got an invite and insisted I come with him. I wouldn’t have—”
Liv lifted a hand. “Seriously, don’t stress. I wasn’t supposed to be here. It was a last-minute thing. I’m sure Mrs. Dorsey invited you to keep Finn company.”
Rebecca cringed. “God, that sounds horrible. Like I’m some paid date.”
Liv smirked and took an egg off the platter. “More like the victim of motherly matchmaking and good intentions. Take it as a compliment. You’re a bright, successful woman whom she’d love to see her son with.”