Page 180 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
I take a deep inhale. “Confession: Frankie and I looked at your book—well, she did first, then she showed it to me.”
“You were in my room?” The line marring her forehead grows deeper.
“Frankie peeked in because it’s her old room. Then she saw what you had on the dress form and couldn’t resist looking closer.” I rush to smooth away the angry lines around her eyes. “I told her not to, but she loved it so much that she peeked in your sketchbook. She raved about those so much that I had to look too to see how amazing they are—and they really are—and I’m sorry, Piper. We shouldn’t have done it.”
Tension slowly leaks from Piper’s body. “You think my designs are amazing?”
“Yeah.” I hold back, saying it’s not only her designs I think are amazing. “I had no idea you were so talented. Obviously, the people at Valente see it, too, but they don’t deserve you.”
Piper purses her lips and narrows her eyes. “Where’s the real Archie and what have you done with him?”
I burst into laughter. “Okay, fair question. I don’t blame you for doubting me, but Frankie thought the same thing.”
“She did?”
“You know me, Piper,” I tease. “I didn’t figure out you’re talented on my own. When Frankie raves that something is good, I’ve learned to pay attention.”
She smiles, and her cheeks grow rosy. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Arch. You never have.”
I feel my own face grow pink with not only her compliment but also by the fact she called meArch, “You can’t let Valente get away with this. We have to stop them…him.”
Piper stares at me with raised eyebrows. “And you can’t let Malcolm get away with keeping everything you’ve earned. But how do you stop someone who has more money and power than you do?”
“I have no clue. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” I sound more resigned than hopeful, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try to fight Luca Valente.
“Please do.” Piper sounds even more resigned than I do.
That won’t last. Everything I’ve seen of her in the past week has proven she doesn’t back down when she wants something. I admire that about her.
But I sense now isn’t the time to push her. She needs space to think.
“I remember him being different…my dad,” I say, to change the subject. “Before he gained the title of one of the wealthiest men in the world. I reckon I keep hoping he’ll go back to being that person who cared more about his family than he did about his wealth.”
I gaze at Piper’s eyes, the color of the Brisbane River at golden hour—soft brown with flecks of light. The kind of eyes you could fall into without worrying about how you’d get back out.
She nods. “I can see that. Obviously, I didn’t know Malcolm before Forsythe Tech took off, but when he and Mom were firstmarried, we spent a lot of time together—relatively speaking. Not just the three of us. Malcolm would take me to do stuff on our own. I’ve never met my biological father, and my stepdad before Malcolm wasn’t really interested in me. Even though things went badly with Malcolm, I’m still grateful for those years of...mattering to him. I guess that’s the best way to say it.”
I press my eyes closed, taking in what she’s said. Honestly, I’m relieved. I was beginning to believe I was misremembering how Dad used to be. I feel validated now, knowing Piper has memories of him similar to my own.
“Yeah. That’s a good way to look at it—with gratitude. I had a hard time with all the attention he gave you. To be honest, I hatedyoufor it.” I offer a conciliatory smile, hoping she’ll take it.
“Really? I never noticed.”
I laugh and shake my head. Her quick comebacks always get me on the back foot. There’s no slacking off for one second with Piper around.
I reckon she’s the kind of person a bloke like me who’s used to getting what he wantsshouldhave around, if I don’t want to end up like Dad. Wish I would have figured that out before now, when I’m not sure where I’ll be come Monday.
Chapter 28
Piper
My stomach swirls with anticipation. Archie’s never looked at me the way he is right now…with tenderness. It’s always been the complete opposite. This Archie has me completely off-kilter. I’m actually swimming in the praise he’s given me.
I shouldn’t trust that he means it. I shouldn’t be seriously considering what he’s saying about not letting Valente steal from me—as though I can stop them. I should be as angry at him as I am at Valente.
Instead, I’m tangled in something knotted and sharp, like a thread I can’t pull free. Valente betrayed me, but so did my own expectations. Especially those I’ve had of Archie, who’s turned out to be surprisingly sincere and vulnerable. And most confusing of all…likable.
“So, am I forgiven for peeking at your designs?” he asks.
