33. Olivia

Olivia ordered a reuben and a lime soda before scooting to the side so Anna could order her usual cranberry walnut salad with water. Sticky Sweet's Bakery was always packed on Sunday afternoons, but Tracy ran an efficient business and handed out gourmet sandwiches quicker than the nearest fast-food restaurant.

Moving to the side to wait for their food, Olivia scanned the crowded restaurant. She spotted lots of people she knew, including Lucas and Maddie Harding. The pair waved at Anna and Olivia, and she appreciated the couple's discretion, considering they'd known about her relationship with Dawson for about two and a half weeks without telling anyone.

Now, she could finally talk about it with her best friend, and judging from the way Anna hadn't left her side as if they were stuck together with super glue, the conversation was bound to be a good one.

"Olivia!" Tracy shouted from behind the counter. She handed the tray over and called out, "Anna!" half a minute later.

The two picked up silverware and napkins before heading to a recently vacated table near the back of the restaurant. Olivia slid in on one side, and Anna took the other.

"Let's pray first," Anna said as she bowed her head. "Dear Lord, thank You for this food, and thank You for this friendship. Help us to always be supportive and lift each other up no matter what comes our way."

Olivia almost opened her eyes at Anna's surprising prayer, but she kept her stance, appreciating the good news all too much.

When they lifted their heads, Anna's expression was clouded in concern. "I'm so sorry, Liv. First, I want you to know that I don't have any wild ideas about having feelings for Dawson."

Olivia's traitorous eyes widened without her permission. "You don't?"

"No, and I'm sorry it took me so long to see that. I just want to find a man who cares about me…the way Dawson cares about you. I want an all-consuming, forever love."

Olivia turned her attention to the sandwich in front of her. "I don't ever want to hurt you. You know that."

Anna reached across the table, covering Olivia's hand with hers. "I do. Trust me, I do. You're such a good friend. I kinda don't want to know how long you've had feelings for him because I already feel horrible about keeping you two apart."

"You weren't the only thing keeping us from acting on our feelings," Olivia admitted. Despite the issue with Anna being completely cleared up, Olivia and Dawson probably had years of important discussions ahead of them when it came to family planning.

Anna squeezed Olivia's hand, and the gesture of solidarity had Olivia's throat constricting.

"I know you'll figure it out. Don't give up hope. Maybe you can still have kids."

Olivia shrugged. "Maybe. I guess it's all up to the Lord."

Anna released Olivia's hand and sat up straight. "Amen. Leave it in His hands."

She didn't have much of a choice, but no one would be getting a hard and fast answer to the will-they won't-they when it came to having children.

Anna picked up her fork and moved the lettuce in her salad around. "Dawson said you're having another surgery."

"I guess I am. The doctor recommended it."

"Just say when. I'll take some time off work like last time."

"No way. You were just a clerk last time. You just got your own cases, and you don't need to take time off."

"But I will," Anna said as she shoved the first bite of salad into her mouth.

"I know you would, but please don't. Dad said I can stay with him for a few days, and if I need anything, he can get it for me."

Anna scrunched her nose. "No. Dads are great and all, but you need a woman by your side after this kind of surgery."

Not for the first time this week or even today, Olivia's eyes stung at the thought of her mother. She missed her mom continuously, but sometimes, the longing was enough to leave her speechless.

Pointing her fork at Olivia, Anna said, "I know that face. You're thinking about your mom. For the record, she'd be absolutely thrilled to know you and Dawson are together. She always loved him."

Oh no, tears were pooling in Olivia's eyes, and she grabbed a napkin from the table. "Yeah, she did."

"I know you miss her, and no one else can replace her. Just try to remember that you're never alone. You have so many people who care about you."

Olivia dabbed at her eyes before the tears were able to mess up her makeup. "Actually, I've been thinking a lot about that. I've decided to…tell people."

"About your endo?" Anna said, a bit too loud for secrecy.

"Yeah. I'm ready for the people in my life to know about it. I've been doing a lot of hiding and lying to keep it a secret. I hate the thought of letting someone down because I can't handle my responsibilities. I don't want it to be an excuse, but I've had to use other excuses that weren't always the truth when I had to cancel things at the last minute. I don't want to do that anymore."

"Amen! You won't regret this. Everyone will understand."

"I know they will. Dawson thinks I should share about it on Instagram too."

Anna gasped and let her mouth hang open an extra second. "That's an amazing idea. You already have a huge following and tons of people who care about you, even if they've never met you. You're so genuine and friendly. I bet you'll have prayers and support from all over the world before you know it."

Olivia sucked in a big breath and let it out in a whoosh. "No pressure."

"There isn't any pressure. Just be yourself. I always thought you could inspire the world."

Olivia laughed. "That's a bit of an exaggeration."

"Not really. You're tough, but you needed to figure out that being tough doesn't mean suffering in silence. We're called to help each other, and I'm glad you're going to let us now."

Ugh. Olivia did not want to cry in public, but the waterworks were already turned on. "I love you," she choked out before the first sob.

Anna stood and pulled Olivia to her feet. Leaning into the embrace, she let her overabundance of love pour out. God gave her a challenge, but He also gave her plenty of help.

"I love you too, Liv. I always will," Anna whispered against Olivia's hair.

A minute later, she lifted her head and wiped her tears. Thankfully, the other people in Sticky Sweet's weren't interested in their exchange.

Olivia wiped her face just as Dawson rounded the corner with a tray in his hands loaded down with a cheeseburger, fries, a milkshake, and one of Tracy's fudge brownies.

He stopped when he saw her and flashed her the smile that always sent her heart racing. "Fancy meeting you here."

Anna turned around, wiped her eyes, and laughed. "We can't blame you for craving one of Tracy's cheeseburgers."

Beau walked around the corner and almost bumped his tray of food into Dawson's back. "Hey, keep it movin', man." He noticed what the hold-up was all about and looked back and forth between Olivia and Anna as they wiped their teary faces. "What'd I miss?"