Page 190 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
Piper’s eyes blink open, and she stares up at me for half a second before bolting up herself.
“What happened?” she asks, wiping at her mouth while moving away from me.
“I was wondering that myself,” Frankie says with a smile.
“Nothing happened.” I glare at my twin. “We were working and fell asleep.”
“Were you working on your proposal?” Frankie asks me, nodding toward the laptop.
“Yeah.”
“Does that mean you’re staying in LA, and you and Piper are working together?” Frankie’s eyebrows creep up.
“I’m staying. Still working on the details of what Bombora looks like.” I scrape my hand through my hair. Before I can drop it, Frankie’s bent over me in a hug.
“Good on ya’, Archie. I’m so proud of you.” She tousles my hair as she straightens. “Let’s celebrate and catch some waves.” Frankie waves her head toward the back door and the ocean beyond it.
I don’t much feel like celebrating Dad cutting me off, but I’ll celebrate taking a stand—shaky as it is—in order to live my own life. Plus, Frankie and I haven’t surfed together for years, and I need a break to clear my head before I work on my proposal anymore.
“Let me do one more thing, then I’m ready.” I link my PowerPoint and research, type out a quick message to Dad, telling him to call me with any questions. I hesitate ending with anything that doesn’t sound professional, but typelove yabefore pressing send.
I exhale. “That’s it. Done.”
I glance at Piper and shrug. I can tell by her expression that she knows what my last task was.
“Good on ya’,” she says in an attempt at an Australian accent.
“You want in too, Pipes?” Frankie uses the nickname she used to call Piper, and Piper’s face breaks into a pleased smile.
“Thanks, but no.” Piper tosses aside the blanket and slowly stands. “I’ll make breakfast.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I say, while slowly shutting my laptop. “Let’s grab coffee and brekkie at Frothed after I surf.”
Piper shakes her head. “Thanks, but I’ve got to save every penny if I’m about to be jobless.”
“My treat.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “You might want to practice saving your pennies, too.”
“As soon as Dad cuts me off. Until then, I’ll spend as much of his money as I want in order to celebrate.”
She chuckles and nods once. I give in to the urge to bend down and kiss the top of her head.
When I stand again, her eyes dart to mine and Frankie’s mouth is hanging open.
“That doesn’t technically count,” I say hurriedly.
“Then do it again.” Piper grabs my hand and tugs me back.
“I’ll be in the gym,” Frankie says slowly.
I plant another quick kiss on Piper’s head. “You’ve shocked my sister. Now I’m in for the third degree.”
“Go,” Piper waves her head in Frankie’s direction. “Before you try to break any more of your own rules.”
“I’m an idiot for being so gallant.” I drop Piper’s hand and follow Frankie to the gym.
We grab our boards and wetsuits and don’t waste time getting to the water, but by the time we paddle out, the wave is in a lull. We bob up and down waiting for it to pick up again, Frankie is patient, me not so much. I know what’s coming, and I was hoping to avoid the question that’s been on Frankie’s face since she woke me up.
