Page 200 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
After our explosive first kiss, these are slow and quieter but still burst with color, like fireworks mid-show. We’re building toward a grand finale, but that finale will only be the beginning.
Like surfing, kissing is a free activity, and one I plan to engage in with Piper as often as possible, even after we have the money for more expensive activities. I’ve already decided I enjoy kissing Piper more than surfing. And that’s saying something.
I’ve kissed a lot of girls, but I’ve never been able to say I enjoyed it more than surfing. Enjoyed it very much? Yeah. But surfing issurfing.
Then again, Piper’s…well, she’s Piper. And I reckon nothin’ else is ever gonna come close.
The End…
Almost. Keep reading for the Epilogue.
Epilogue
18 months later
Frankie and I are met with the sounds of sewing machines as we walk toward Piper’s office at the far end of her rented workspace. The building used to be a garment factory owned by a fast fashion brand, until they went out broke. Now it’s been turned into large lofts that serve as live and workspaces in the Arts District.
With the money Cynthia gave her after the sale of the beach house, Piper bought one unit. The ceilings are high, the floors hardwood, and natural light streams through the big-paned, industrial windows. It’s perfect, even though it’s nowhere close to the ocean.
Julia and Anna are bent over their projects along with the other women who left Valente to work for Piper after Piper’s Tik Tok posts went viral and orders poured in for pieces in her California line. Within days of releasing her line, Piper’d out grown her space and had to rent another unit to have more room to work. Sure, Rhys wearing her stuff on stage and Georgia Rose flashing it on camera gave it a boost—but they wouldn’t have done that if Piper’s work wasn’t top-notch to begin with.
Piper’s still surprised by her success, but she’s the only one. She’s got her own label, Tide & Thread, and five employeesworking on her custom pieces. That’s in addition to Anna and Julia, too, who aren’t employees; they’re part owners. They both made that a condition before they agreed to join Piper, and she was happy to comply.
Now that Julia’s paid what she’s worth, she’s been able to hire immigration lawyers to help her through the labyrinth process of becoming a citizen. Knowing how worried she and her family are about her future has opened my eyes to how much easier the process was for Dex because he had both money and Britta.
Piper doesn’t notice Frankie or me until I set a Frothed cup on her desk. Her eyes dart up and a smile quickly follows. I will never get tired of her face lighting up when she sees me, or the way she tips up her chin expectantly. Yeah, I’m not about to make her wait. I close the gap and give her the kiss we both saw coming.
“Keep it clean, yeah?” Frankie teases. “Save the PDA for somewhere I’m not trying to drink my coffee.”
Piper pops up and hugs Frankie. “Thanks for coming!”
“Wouldn’t miss your big day.” Frankie playfully rocks Piper side to side.
“Oi, it’s my day, too!” I protest.
Frankie pulls back from Piper, but they keep their arms around each other’s waists, like they’re still sisters. Hopefully they will be again, if all goes well tonight. “And I’m proud of you, too, but Piper’s the one who convinced me to come back.”
“For good?” I ask, but she answers with a shrug.
Frankie’s been toying with the idea of taking a part in an Alison Fisher movie. I hope she does. I’d like her back here, but I’ve a sneaking suspicion she’s met someone in Serenity Cove.
I hold out my hand for Piper. “We’ve got a big night ahead of us. You ready?”
“More than ready.” She grabs her coffee, then twines her fingers through mine and squeezes my hand encouragingly. Maybe she senses how nervous I am, or maybe my sweaty palms gave it away.
We’ve been preparing for nearly eighteen months, and we’re finally ready to open the flagship Bombora store right here in South Bay not far from Frothed. Tonight, though, is our soft, invite-only opening. Everyone will be there. Dex, Britta. Rhys and Stella. TV start Georgia Rose and her husband, Zach, Britta’s brother. Frankie. Plus, everyone else who’s helped us get Bombora off the ground, including both our mums.
But not Dad. We haven’t spoken, but I’ve sent him birthday and Christmas wishes and the occasional text to let him know I love him. He’s texted back to tell me he’s holding my trust fund for my own good, but I can have access anytime I want.
What he means is that he’ll manage it until I decide to do what he wants.
I haven’t responded to those texts. Turns out, no amount of money is worth being what somebody else wants. Frankie was right about that. And while finding my own legs has been a challenge, it’s also been rewarding. I’ve gained confidence in my own abilities, including getting the funding to open Bombora.
Frankie, Piper, and I walk out of the Tide & Thread workshop, saying goodbye to everyone until later tonight at the grand opening party. Jasmine blooms along the pathway to Piper’s loft, filling the May morning with a lush, sweet smell that’s both intoxicating and seductive. I slide my arm around Piper’s waist and draw her closer.
I dip my head and whisper, “Have I told you I love you?”
She smiles up at me. “Not today.”
