Page 104 of Off the Wall

“So.” My dad looks puzzled. “What was the problem?”

“Someone posted a clip of us dancing at a wedding.” My jaw goes tight. “But it’s a long story, and it doesn’t even matter, because nothing’s happening with Nori and me.” I take a beat. “I mean … somethingdidhappen.” Completely erasing the past month with Nori doesn’t feel right. “But nothing can come of it. Not anymore.”

Cullen and Lauren and my parents all stare at me, their heads tilted, waiting for an explanation. When I don’t elaborate,Cullen frowns. “Well, this is just dumb, man.” He grunts. “You deserve to be happy. And yesterday, you finally seemed happy. Video or not, you left here kind of … giddy. So, come on, little brother. What gives?”

“Don’t tell us you’re still holding out for Daphne,” my mother frets. “Has she tracked you down?” She turns to my father, whose face looks like he’s smelling rotten eggs. “She got divorced, you know.”

“It’s not Daphne,” I blurt. “It’s me. I accepted a job in California.”

The room goes silent for a breath.

Then Tilly starts to wail.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Nori

In the end,I don’t go to Serendipi-Tea.

I just can’t face Violet right now. As long as I’ve known her, she’s been nothing but supportive, so there’s no doubt in my mind she’s doing what she thinks is best. Not only for me, but also for the shop. Her choices always come from a place of love and genuine concern for my well-being.

So a small part of me is starting to wonder if she’s right.

What if the mirrors have been sending me signs? Not about Cash, but about all the pressure I’ve voluntarily taken on. Seeing visions of yourself holding hands with a man you’ve known for a month isn’t exactly evidence of a sound mind.

But I’m not ready to admit that to anyone yet. And I can’t imagine acting normal all day in front of Yvette and Ben. Violet’s not telling everyone about the sale until closing tomorrow, which means they’re all going to find out they’re losing their jobs because I couldn’t keep my head on straight. I’m feeling the weight of everybody’s futures on my shoulders.

So. No Serendipi-Tea for me today.

Instead, I make the hour-and-a-half drive to Boston to see East and Becca. They just got back from an anniversary tripto Cabo, so I know they’re home. They have no idea I’m coming. But I figure they’re family. And family’s there for each other when one of their members suddenly shows up unannounced, right? At least, that’s what I’m counting on as I stand on their porch shifting my weight.

You should’ve called.

Maybe.

Still, I couldn’t imagine saying all the words over the phone. So many words filling my head and churning in my stomach and pinging in my heart and gathering in my eyes, like tears waiting to be spilled.

Which is why, the moment Becca opens the door, I fall into her arms and sob.

My brother hears the ruckus from the bedroom, and joins us at the kitchen table. For a full hour, I cry out all the things I’ve been holding back from them for the past month. Not to mention the last half a year since they moved away. And also the two decades before that, when I finally got old enough to understand the story of our family.

A lot of the current issues they already know. Like the Swipe Rite promotion, and Dorothy’s repairs, and me trying to buy Serendipi-Tea. But the Cash situation comes as a surprise.

Not to mention the mirror visions.

The thing is, they don’t laugh, or treat me like I’m delusional, or make a single judgmental comment while I weep. East sits across from me, arms folded, just listening. Becca’s beside me offering tissues. Occasionally she reaches out to tuck my hair behind my ear, or give my hand a squeeze. But then I need to blow my nose again, so she has to let go.

Things go like this for a bit.

And then I get to the part about potentially being sued, which is when East finally speaks up.

“Sued for what?”

“Breach of contract,” I sniffle.

“But you didn’t go out with anyone else,” he says. “Hayden’s wedding wasn’t a date. You two were just guests at the same location, who happened to dance to the band.”

“String quartet.” I swipe at my nose.

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