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She loved her mother and it would break her heart to lose that love. Laura may learn to accept Liv, but she would never accept homosexuality from her own daughter. Just the thought was laughable.
What was she going to do? How could she look into her mom’s eyes, knowing that she was lying to her? Not lying directly, but certainly by omission. If Laura knew that Juliette was having doubts about her own sexuality she’d be horrified.
There was only one thing for it. Juliette would have to prove, once and for all, that she was straight – for her own sake as well as her mother’s.
She didn’t know if Liv would be willing to help her, after Juliette had so rudely kicked her out. She would have to do some groveling if she was going to earn forgiveness.
Juliette was too upset and shaken to do anything tonight. She wanted to talk to Liv after breakfast the next day, but by the time she was awake, Liv had already left for work. She didn’t usually leave this early. Juliette didn’t blame Liv for avoiding her, but Liv would have to come home sometime. Juliette would get her chance, sooner or later.
It turned out that later was how it was going to be. For three days, Juliette barely saw Liv. Liv didn’t even look at her, let alone speak to her.
Juliette decided to take matters into her own hands. She stopped by Joe’s just before Liv’s lunch hour was about to start and got takeaways.
Then, drove to Aimee Enterprises’ headquarters and marched confidently to the front desk.
“Hi, I’m here to see Olivia Jones.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No – but I’m her stepsister, Juliette. I brought her lunch.”
The secretary eyed her suspiciously. “Please, just tell her I’m here.” She hoped Liv would agree to see her. “Tell her I brought her a Joe’s cheeseburger.” Hopefully that would sweeten the deal.
“Alright, give me a minute.” The secretary made a call, and hung up after a short exchange.
“You can go up. Seventeenth floor, second door on the left.”
“Thank you.”
Nerves flared, creating waves in Juliette’s stomach as she made her way to Liv’s office. When she knocked, Liv called for her to come in.
Juliette was surprised to see Liv feeling every bit as nervous as she felt. Her face looked tight and drawn and her green eyes looked nervous. She ran a hand through her short wavy hair. “Hi,” Juliette said quietly. “Can we talk? Please? I brought food.”
“Yes, I suppose we had better talk,” Liv sighed. She looked immaculate as usual in a navy blue pant suit. She was smart and effortlessly cool. Liv never wore make up and she didn’t need it. Her skin was luminescent. “Please, sit down.”
Juliette perched on the edge of one of the chairs opposite the desk. She opened her mouth to speak, but Liv beat her to it.
“Juliette… words can’t begin to express how sorry I am. My actions were inexcusable. I know you are straight, and I kissed you anyway. I was absolutely in the wrong. I am honestly ashamed at myself–”
“Liv, stop!” Juliette was genuinely shocked. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I kissed you when I knew –” Liv’s green eyes were wide and full of guilt.
“No. Liv, please, just listen to me. I told you I was straight, but then I gave you every reason to believe otherwise with my actions. It’s no wonder you were confused. Besides, you told me to say if I wanted you to stop, remember? I kept my mouth shut, and that’s on me. Is this why you’ve been avoiding me? Because you felt guilty?”
“What else would I feel?”
“Honestly? I thought you’d be angry.”
“Angry?”
“Furious. I thought that’s why you wouldn’t look at me.”
“Why in the world would I be angry with you, Juliette?”
“I treated you horribly. I let you kiss me, then I threw you out like it was nothing. It… it wasn’t nothing, Liv.”
Liv’s eyes widened. “It wasn’t?”
