Page 198 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
I rush out the door to HR and give the stunned rep my notice that I’m leaving today. I’ve been careful not to get too comfortable, so there’s not much at my workstation. Everything fits into my purse.
I take one last look at the room. Despite everything Valente’s done to me, I’m grateful I stayed another month. It was easier spending the day working for the company that had stolen from me than it was spending the day trying not to kiss Archie.
But I don’t have to do that anymore.
I’m almost back out the front doors to catch the next bus back home when Anna catches up with me.
“I’ll give you a ride,” she says, still grinning.
Archie’s working at Frothed until later this afternoon, but we’ve waited long enough. I can’t keep the news from him. I text him on the drive to the beach house: .
You’re taking me on a date tonight.
He’ll know what that means. We’ve been planning for weeks to celebrate our parents’ divorce with our first date.
Seconds later, I get:
Right-o I’m taking you on a date!
I read his text and smile. The anticipation that’s flitted around my chest for weeks, waiting for this moment, takes flight, bursting into full-blown elation. Then I make a split-second decision.
“How about we grab some celebration coffee?” I ask Anna.
“Sure. From where?”
“I know a place.”
Chapter 37
Archie
Ihave just enough time to reply to Piper’s text before turning back to the long line of customers at Frothed. Mitzi takes their orders; Diva and I make the drinks—mostly Diva. I’m still learning—and I deliver them at the counter or to the tables. But the entire time, all I’m thinking of is Piper.
The last month has been equal parts the best and hardest of my life. Getting to know Piper—her heart, her mind, her dreams, her goals—has been better than I could have imagined. We’ve spent every spare second together, working on Bombora, and learning as much as possible about each other. We’ve fought and laughed, compromised and apologized, and in those moments, we’ve built a foundation for so much more than a business.
We say goodnight without kissing and go our separate ways. Then Facetime until we fall asleep. The waiting has been torture while also providing us the space to grow into a love that I’m confident will last. And that’s what I want with Piper: something that will last. Because love is the only thing that can last. Not money—even billions. Not power—it’s an illusion anyway. Not even a perfect wave—I’ve chased enough to know.
Even if they could last, I’d give them all up—and more—to love Piper forever.
And now I can.
Dad and Cynthia are divorced. The last thing keeping us apart is the woman in front of me waiting for her chai latte. I nearly toss it to her, then I quick-walk back to Britta’s office before another customer can come in and stop me.
Dex walks in the back door. He comes by for lunch with Britta every day after therapy, and his timing is perfect today. I want both of them here when I deliver the news. They’ve been almost as anxious as Piper and me for this divorce to be final.
“It’s done. Divorce is final.” I’m already untying my apron when I walk into Britta’s office. “We thought it was tomorrow, but Piper’s just texted.”
“Oh my gosh,” Britta says, catching the true depth of this half a second before Dex does. “That’s amazing.”
“Congrats, mate!” Dex claps me on the back.
“Is Piper at work?” Britta asks excitedly.
“Yeah.” I have all sorts of fantasies about rushing through the doors of Valente and sweeping her off her feet.
“Go, Archie! Kiss her like you’ve just won the WSL championship.”
I look at her with a question.
