“Livie! That’s so exciting! Who is he? How’d you meet? How long has this been going on? I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me, I need all the details.”

Olivia was glad her sister had to concentrate on the busy road in front of them and couldn’t see her face.

“So. Well. As to how we met. The thing is … you remember? When I first got to L.A., and I called you from my hotel, because I met this guy at the bar, and he turned out to be— ”

“YOU’RE DATING MAX POWELL? SENATOR MAX POWELL? ARE YOU SERIOUS?”

Alexa yelled so loud Olivia was sure half of Oakland heard her.

“I’m serious, and it’s …”

Alexa didn’t stop yelling.

“I CANNOT BELIEVE MY SISTER IS DATING MAX POWELL, HOLY FUCKING SHIT, NOT ONLY IS HE A SENATOR, BUT HE’S HOT AS HELL.”

Olivia held up a hand.

“Alexa! You’re married!”

Alexa glared at her.

“I may be married, but I’m not dead! Hold on, I can’t have this conversation while I’m driving.”

She pulled into the parking lot of a Dollar store and turned off the car.

“Okay.” She took off her seat belt and turned to face Olivia. “Someone finally kept a secret from me. Now, tell me everything.”

Olivia shook her head and laughed. And then she told her. Everything.

“He told you he loved you?” Alexa yelled. “And? What did you say? Do you love him?”

Olivia didn’t meet her sister’s eyes.

“He said he was falling in love with me, not that he loves me.”

Alexa brushed that aside.

“That’s a distinction without a difference. Answer the question.”

Why had she let her sister go to law school, damn it?

“I … I didn’t say anything. That was around a month ago, and I still haven’t said anything.” She dropped her head in her hands at the expression on her sister’s face. “I know, I know. I KNOW. But even he acknowledged that it was early, you know! And you know I need time to make my mind up about these things! He said he didn’t need me to say anything back, but …” She looked at her sister, a tiny smile on her face. “I might. Soon.”

Alexa threw her arms around her.

“Oh, Liv, I’m so happy for you!”

Olivia let her smile get bigger.

“I’m still not ready to say … that, but, Lex, I really like him. More than I’ve liked anyone in a long time. I’ve been hesitant, not just in telling you, but in everything about him. It was just … it all seemed too good to be true, everything about him did. I think I’m starting to believe it’s all actually true.”

It felt scary to say that. But over the past few weeks, she’d finally let herself think it.