Unfortunately, in her determination to operate autonomously and therefore close herself off to focus on her great plan for her life, she’d forgotten that doing so could scare the willies out of those who cared for her. Not a great move, so she would have to deal with that oversight by apologizing.

She poured a cup of coffee, wincing at the acidity but embracing the jolt, and went back to the living room. Olivia’s face still looked tear streaked, which made her feel like the present Beast had left on the front porch last night. Which was totally gross.

Both Neve and Olivia looked up.

“I’m really sorry, Olivia. It was irresponsible of me to turn off my phone and not let anyone know my plans. Thinking about other people is new to me, so that’s the only excuse I have, which is pretty flimsy. I didn’t think about Marley or . . . how you might construe my actions.”

Olivia swallowed hard and opened her mouth. Nothing came out. She closed it and looked away. For ten full seconds. Neve shot her a look that said, Go with it.

Finally, after several more seconds: “Truly, Olivia. I’m very, very sorry to have worried you.”

Olivia nodded. “I just don’t understand why you would do that—turn off your phone and not answer.”

“I did text. I typed ‘All good,’ but I discovered this morning that it didn’t send.”

Olivia didn’t look convinced.

“I promise. It never sent. Look, my mom had been calling me, then you texted, and I felt overwhelmed, like I needed some distance. I came here because I think my future is here. Not here here, but part of it is here. And I wanted to make the decisions about my life by myself. It was a little spontaneous, but when you figure out what you really want in your life, you want to get there as soon as possible.” Chase walked over and sank onto the sagging couch. Funny how she liked that damn couch.

“You’re talking about Zeke?”

“Yeah, that’s part of it. I want to see where we can go, and he’s here. Thing is, I like it here. I like this place because it’s cozy, if not a little rough around the edges. I like the woods and the creek, the senior center, and going fishing. I never got to do those things, and they make me feel more real.”

Olivia sucked in a breath and then exhaled with an “Okay.”

But she still sounded confused.

“Look, I know it may seem impulsive, but it’s not. I didn’t want the part in the film. I . . . I just didn’t. I don’t want to be an actress right now. I’m not saying never, but I want to try a new path.”

“And that is . . . ?” Neve asked, finally joining in on the conversation.