Page 69 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

“And who’s fault is that?” Maw Maw said as she snapped a Tupperware lid on a box of lemon squares.

“Um… God’s?” According to Maw Maw and Father John, he had a plan for everyone.

Judging by the tight way Maw Maw’s lips twisted, that was the wrong answer. “The lord is not responsible for your inadequacies.”

Who said anything about inadequacies?

“How you chose to present yourself to the world is completely up to you. And I will not have your lack of manners make people judge me.”

“But you just said–”

“I know what I said.”

Did she? Because that whole statement seemed like a contradiction to me.

Another buzz vibrated the table, drawing my attention back to my phone. Gio had now resorted to using emoji’s. Mainly a string of the angry face ones.

“Good lord child, why do you have a phone if you’re not going to answer it?”

I could answer it, but… “This is more fun.”

She shook her head and sighed. “I pity the man who you end up with.”

“He deserves it.” Trust me.

Maw Maw’s arched brow made me realize my mistake. “He?”

Damnit.

“Novalee, is someone courting you?”

Courting? What was this, the eighteenth century?

“No, Maw Maw. I can assure you, no one is courting me.” Though one could argue that an arranged marriage did fit in the courting era.

She peeked over my shoulder, probably hoping to catch a glimpse of who the mystery texter was. “Is it Simon?”

“Eww, no.”

My phone lit up again and the curiosity on Maw Maw’s face morphed into disproval. “Novalee!”

“What?” I said. “He is a fuckface.”

I thought I was going to get another smack on the head, I even flinched in preparation. But Maw Maw just huffed and walked over to the door to grab her sweater off the hook.

“Well, at least I don’t have to worry about you getting pregnant.”

Not for another four years anyway. Just thinking about that part of our agreement made my stomach twist. Gio was large, my mouth still ached from his girth. There was no way my tiny little body could take something that size. The turkey baster method was always an option, but something told me that I wasn’t that lucky.

Hence why I was sitting in the kitchen, staring at my phone. Friday Me’s problem was today Me’s problem, and I had no idea what was going to happen. But I did know anger was not an aphrodisiac. At least I hoped it wasn’t.

Maw Maw looped her arm in her purse handles then paused to eye me. “It’s 8:23. What time is Memphis expecting you?”

I was well aware of what time it was.

“Whenever I get there.”

Gio didn’t give me a time frame – that I knew of anyway – and technically it was Friday night until 11:59. Memphis was the excuse I gave Maw Maw for why I’d be gone all weekend. It wasn’t the best excuse, but it was the only one I could think of at the last minute. My time keeping skills weren’t on par, but I sure knew how to drag my feet.

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