Page 13 of The Right Woman

Distraction settles the butterflies in my stomach when Maggie half smiles behind the counter. With a sweaty palm, I press out some wrinkles on my vintage floral mini babydoll dress. This girl is confusing me. Last week, it was all resentment. Now, she looks like she wants me to take her to the bathroom to do unspeakable acts. “What do you want, Piper?”

“You on my fingers again.”

A bubbly giggle escapes her plush lips. Flirting, face flushed, sweet laughter hits my face. “Stop!” The way she says it sounds like she definitely doesn’t want me to stop.

Holding out my phone, I wave her toward me. “Hey, get a picture with me.”

Okay, yeah. I want to post it all on socials to show Tarin I’m totally over her. Maggie isso much hotter.

Surprisingly, Maggie complies and comes around to stand beside me. Holding up a peace sign, we snuggle close, cheek to cheek, and I grab a couple for the ’gram.

“Will you hurry the fuck up?”

“Lady! Come on!”

Despite the grumbles and complaints surging from the people waiting behind me, I upload my photo to socials, then give the crowd my middle finger. Maggie blushes and hurriesto make me a cup of autumn goodness and whispers, “It’s on your tab. Youhaveto pay it next time, Piper. Bob’s seriously considering not allowing you back in here.”

Nodding, I know it’s not true. I’ve had this fucking tab for over a year. They love me here.

Bracing myself for what I’ll see when I turn around, the heat from the giant’s sharp stare hits me, and I narrow my eyes at him as I walk toward the door.

“Piper!” my mother calls me over, and my chest aches at the sight of my worst nightmare.

Along the back wall bench sits the silver-haired gentleman, the brunette woman, then my father. Directly across from him is Maeve, then my mother, and an empty chair that she points at for me. Maybe my parents will behave since they’re in front of others.

Who am I kidding? This is about to dissolve into a war.

Sliding into the seat, my eyes widen at the unspoken tension around the five people I’m sitting with. The table is cluttered from a busy morning with napkins, empty mugs, saucers, stir sticks, empty packets of sugar, and bits of pastries lying about. Sticky rings line the surface, and I hold my cup to my chest carefully, not wanting to get my hands dirty.

My sister addresses the distinguished man in a navy-blue suit who gives me a star-winning smile. He’s quite attractive in an academic sort of way. “Professor Harrison, how long did you say you and Meghan have been married?”

Oh. So he must be Maeve’s latest boy toy’s father. And that’s his mother? She looks much too young to have a twenty-something son.

The brunette between my father and him looks down at the table. He nods at her, then answers. “Oh, only about five years. Since my first wife died.”

“You must be so proud of Sean.” Maeve continues gabbing to her professor.

Like a moth to a flame, my mother straightens in her seat and addresses Meghan. “So youworkwith my husband.”

Meghan looks at my father, who sneers at my mom. “Cora, don’t fucking start.”

“I think it’s good that you have a new family after such a loss.” Maeve tries to interrupt and hold the conversation with the professor, who looks as uncomfortable as I feel.

“We’re divorced. And that’s for a reason!” my father yells.

My mom’s elbows rest on the table as she leans forward over the cups. As I search them, I worry she may pick one up and throw it. “Yeah, because you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants!”

“Oh, here we go… Jealous still? You weren’t a good enough lay for me to stay, you old hag.”

With a mocking gasp, my mother sits back in her seat and slides her hand into her purse, dropping something she’d held in her hand. The people around us gape at the fight, and I sink lower, trying to avoid their gazes.

“Fuck you, asshole.” My mom stands and points a finger in his face.

Greg Hendricks lengthens his neck and grips the collar of his shirt with a hooked finger. Instead of snapping back at my mom again, he looks at his co-worker and says, “You finished? Let’s get back to work, Meghan. I’m sorry for this bitch’s rude behavior.”

Meghan looks completely flustered, but hurriedly grabs her mug and downs it. Maeve appears unfazed and sips her hot tea with a smile while the professor refuses to look at anyone, stunned into silence.

Just as I think about throwing down my cup and darting away, Meghan stands and makes a strange face, clutching herthroat. Her skin changes from a deep olive to pale white, then bright red as she gasps for air, which doesn’t seem to be getting inside her. She makes the motion to breathe, but she clearly can’t.

---