Page 163 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
Piper returns my laugh but shakes her head. “Except you get your product for free and I still have to replace my perfume.”
I shake my head. “Yeah, nah. Not since they quit using me in their ads in 2017.”
Her grin disappears. “I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you. That face wash is more expensive than my perfume.”
I shake my head, then realize what she’s offered, and I can’t help myself. Now that I understand her financial situation, I won’t let her give me money she doesn’t have, but she could do something else. “If you really want to make up for it, you could mention the idea of a cash settlement to your mum.”
I’ve said it jokingly, but in a heartbeat, Piper’s expression changes from sorry to frustrated. “I’m not going to ask Mom to re-negotiate with Malcolm, Archie. Please stop asking.”
The hint of anger in her voice puts me on the defensive, and I’m ready to fire back. Then I remember what she said last night about me fighting her instead of Dad.
I have to quit running from that truth. Dad’s said no to my ideas dozens of times, but his reasons are always about himself. Piper, though, is saying no to protect her mum. That’s what’s fueling her resistance, and I can’t help admiring her loyalty to Cynthia.
“Okay,” I say softly. I want to say more, but I don’t want to make another mistake that will raise her wall higher.
Piper grabs a plate and scoops her eggs onto it, avoiding my gaze. “I need to eat and get ready for work.”
I nod and turn to leave the kitchen when I think of something I can do that could chip away at the wall she’s so determined to keep between us.
“Do you have plans for lunch?” I say, facing her again.
Her brows pull together. “Just eating leftovers in the Valente cafeteria.”
“Frankie lands later this morning,” I shrug, as if my heart isn’t pounding over what I’m about to ask. “We could swing by and pick you up for lunch, if you can get away. She’s keen on seeing you.”
Piper grips her plate and stares at me. When she finally blinks, I sense the barrier between us lowering. “Yeah. I’d like that,” she says slowly, before offering a grateful smile.
“I’ll pick you up at noon, then.”
I turn to leave again, smiling to myself, before remembering something else. “Let me drive you to work this morning,” I say over my shoulder.
Piper looks at me, surprised, then chuckles. “Go surf or work on your plans for Bombora. I’m fine on the bus.”
My chest swells a bit when she saysBombora. She remembered the name. “I can do all of that after I drop you. I didn’t like the look of those guys at your bus stop yesterday.”
“We already talked about this.” Piper shakes her head and carries her plate to the table. “They’re just people trying to get to work, same as me. I don’t need a ride, but…thank you.”
Her eyes dart to mine and the softness there pulls me closer. “Come on, Piper.” I slide into the seat across from her. “Let me make up for years of harassment by making sure you’re not harassed by blokes just out of jail.”
She laughs. “You’re showing your privilege again, Arch. I appreciate your offer, but I don’t need a driver.”
Logically, I know I should trust Piper to take care of herself, but all I can picture is guys twice her size and too jaded to be intimidated by her fierceness. In the past week, I’ve gained a grudging admiration for her stubbornness, but now she’s being naïve on top of stubborn.
“Will you just let me do something nice for you, Piper?”
Slowly, she sets down her fork. Her eyes bore through me like she’s drilling for the core of who I am. “Archie, letmebe honest. I’m not sure if you’re being nice because you care or if you’re doing it to get what you want, the same way Malcolm does. So, I’m going to turn down your offer for a ride this morning, but I’d still like to do lunch with you and Frankie.”
Her words are firm and emotionless. For some reason, that hurts more than if she’d yelled. At least then I’d know she felt something more than irritation with me, especially in light of every thought I’ve had of kissing her.
Embarrassment and anger bubble in my chest, and I let my temper get the best of me. I push away from the table and walk to the back door, holding in the impending eruption as I slide open the door. “Quit mistaking me for my dad. We’re not the same.”
“Archie, I?—”
“—And try checking your own privilege. You’re living in this house for free, too, you know.” I don’t wait to hear her response. I shut the door and head for the beach.
I don’t have to trudge far through the sand before I’m deeply uncomfortable. More uncomfortable than I’ve ever been about who I am or might become. Losing my temper like I just did over something fairly minor isn’t who I want to be. After what Dad and I have both put her through, Piper has every right to be suspicious. She tried to say that as nicely as possible, and I over-reacted in a big way.
On top of that, I still haven’t shaken my worry over Piper riding the bus. Whatever her suspicions, I offered to drive herbecause I hate the idea of her being harassed, not because I want something from her.
