Back on thin ice

Evy

I was halfway through organizing the bookshelves at the library when I got Olivia's text. She usually didn't message me during work hours unless something was wrong. My heart sank as I read the words on the screen: "I got fired."

I dropped the book in my hand, earning a glare from Mrs. Wilkes across the room. Normally, I'd worry about her scolding me, but not today. I quickly typed back, "Meet me at the coffee shop after your shift. We'll figure it out."

Olivia was always the strong one, the one who took everything in stride, but I knew this was different. She'd been holding onto that job at the rink for years, and it wasn't just about the paycheck. It was her connection to Aaron, even if she never admitted it. When Aaron left town, Olivia threw herself into being the best mom she could be for Kate. But I knew, deep down, she still thought about him.

And now, after all this time, he's back.

I clocked out a little early, not bothering to tell Mrs. Wilkes why. She'd probably just assume I was up to no good, as usual. The coffee shop wasn't far from the library, so I made it there in record time. I grabbed a table near the back, away from the window where the sun glared too brightly, and ordered two lattes. Olivia always liked hers with extra foam.

When she walked in, I could see the weight of the day hanging on her shoulders. Her usually bright eyes were dull, and she moved like she was carrying the world on her back. I waved her over, and she managed a small smile as she sat down.

"I'm so sorry, Liv," I started, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "Rick's an idiot. He's going to regret this."

She shook her head. "It's not just Rick. It's the whole management. They're making cuts, and I was just... one of them." She sighed, staring down at her latte. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Evy. It's hard enough making ends meet as it is."

"Hey, you'll figure it out," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "You always do. You're the strongest person I know."

She let out a bitter laugh. "I don't feel very strong right now."

We sat in silence for a few moments, the buzz of the coffee shop around us fading into the background. I could see she was struggling, but there was something else there too—something she wasn't saying.

"What else happened?" I asked gently. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Olivia hesitated, biting her lower lip the way she always did when she was nervous. "Aaron's back," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I blinked. "Aaron? As in Aaron Mason? That Aaron?"

She nodded, staring into her cup like it held all the answers. "Yeah. He's... he's the new team captain."

I felt my eyes widen. "Holy crap. Did you talk to him?"

She nodded again. "Yeah, we talked. He... he offered me a job as his personal assistant."

"Wait, what?" My mind was spinning. "He just... offered you a job? Just like that?"

"I know, it sounds crazy. But he knew I got fired, and... I don't know, Evy. He was so kind about it. It's like he wants to help, but it's all so confusing. I never thought I'd see him again, let alone work for him."

I could hear the tremor in her voice, the fear she was trying to keep hidden. Aaron's return wasn't just some small-town gossip to her. It was a tornado that threatened to upend everything she'd carefully built over the past eight years.

"Olivia, what are you going to do?" I asked, leaning in closer. "Are you going to tell him about Kate?"

Her face went pale, and she shook her head violently. "No. I can't. Not yet. Maybe not ever. What if he hates me? What if he takes her away?"

I reached out and grabbed her hand again, squeezing it tightly. "He won't hate you. And he can't take her away from you, Liv. You're her mother. You've done everything for that girl, and no one can take that from you."

"But what if he wants to be a part of her life?" she whispered, her eyes wide with fear. "I've kept this from him for so long... I don't even know how to begin."

"Olivia, you need to think about what's best for Kate," I said softly. "She deserves to know her father. And he deserves to know her."

She swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know. I just... I don't know how to do this, Evy. I don't know if I can."

"You can," I insisted. "And I'll be with you every step of the way. You don't have to do this alone."

We sat in silence after that, sipping our lattes, both lost in our own thoughts. Olivia was tough, but even she had her breaking points. And I could see she was close to one now. But I also knew she was a fighter, and no matter what, she'd find a way through this. She had to—for Kate's sake, and her own.

As we finished our drinks and prepared to leave, I made her promise to keep me updated, to let me know if she needed anything—anything at all. She nodded, giving me that same small, grateful smile she always did when she was holding herself together by a thread.

As I watched her walk away, I couldn't help but feel a pang of worry in my chest. Aaron Mason's return had thrown a wrench into everything. And I had a feeling this was just the beginning of a very complicated mess. But if anyone could navigate it, it was Olivia. And I'd be right there with her, come hell or high water.