The Secret (Single in Seattle 1)

“I told you before, you’re excellent at your job. Of course, you got it because of your talent.”

“I almost didn’t come here tonight,” she admits. “When I got your text telling me to meet you here, I almost said no.”

“Why did you come?”

“Because that’s stupid,” she says with a half laugh. “And childish. We agreed to talk it over.”

“I’m glad you came because I can’t eat two steaks and two lobsters all by myself.”

“Fancy,” she says with a wink. “And now I’m extra glad I came.”

The server brings the wine with an appetizer of artichoke and spinach dip and a fresh baguette.

“Oh, my God. I love cheese,” Liv says as she chews the bread and dip. “Like, love. And it always goes straight to my hips, but I don’t care. I can alter my clothes if I have to.”

“Cheese is its own food group,” I agree.

“You don’t look like you eat cheese. Or anything with calories.”

“I eat plenty. I also work out and have good genetics.”

She smiles and reaches for more bread. “My dad is an excellent cook, and he’s always getting my mom to eat. It’s not that she has any issues with food, he just makes sure she eats enough. And it’s kind of sweet, you know?”

“They still have a good marriage? They’ve been together a long time, right?”

“Forever,” she confirms. “And, yeah, they’re solid. They’re totally gross with the PDA. Kissing and hugging and teasing. But it’s also kind of sweet. However, I will always make gagging noises when I come upon them making out, just out of principle.”

“That’s very different from how I grew up.”

“I honestly don’t know much about your family. Are your parents still married?”

“Yes, because they’re both too lazy to file the paperwork and because of the financial shitshow it would cause. My father is fine with my mom spending all the money she wants on whatever, and she looks the other way when it comes to the women he screws around with.”

“That’s healthy.”

“It’s the least healthy relationship I’ve ever seen. And, no, I’m not terribly close to them. I was raised by two nannies, not by my parents. We just pose for photos maybe once a year.”

“You had two nannies? Like, at once?”

“No.” I laugh and pour us each a little more wine. “I had one—Roberta—from the time I was born until I was about nine, and she retired. Then came Helga. She was with me until I was eighteen.”

“Helga sounds like a nanny.”

“She was the best. I’m still close to her. I was to both of them, but Roberta passed away about two years ago.”

Olivia’s green eyes darken with sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“She was in her eighties,” I reply but still feel the sting of her loss. “Helga’s more of a mother to me than my biological mom ever was. Did you have a nanny?”

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “I have a huge family with lots of grandparents and aunts and uncles. So, if my parents were busy, we spent time with the grandparents. Once in a while, Mom and Dad would get a babysitter if there was a function where all of the adults wanted to attend, but it wasn’t often.”

Liv sips her wine in thought.

“My family has always been fine with including the kids, you know? Don’t get me wrong, all of the old ladies—as my cousins and I call them—get together a few times a year for their girls’ night out. But we all like spending time together. In fact, my dad was just telling me this morning that we’re all going to Iceland for Christmas.”

I tip my head to the side. “All of you?”

“Yeah. Everyone. And that’s a lot of people, Vaughn. I don’t know the exact number, but it’s easily several dozen. I think he’s crazy, but he’ll make it fun.”

I can’t imagine doing something like that.

“Speaking of trips,” I begin and lean a little closer to her. “I have to be in LA on Wednesday for an event. I’d like you to go with me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why?”

She sighs. “Because I don’t want to be photographed with you. And it’s not because of you.”

“No problem. This isn’t a red-carpet event, and they collect phones at the door. It’s private.”

She blinks in surprise. “They do that?”

“Yes. Not everything ends up online.”

“Oh.” She drums her fingers on the table. “Well, then I suppose that could be fun.”

“Excellent. But, Olivia, you need to tell your father that we’re seeing each other. Because I don’t plan to stop seeing you anytime soon, and he needs to find out from you rather than from someone else.”

“You’re right.” She nods and sips her wine again. “I know you’re right. I thought of that earlier today after you left my office. I’ll take care of it.”

I nod and then lean back when the server delivers our entrees.