Page 91 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
“Because Dad—Malcolm—will always see both as his. He bought the house. He bankrolled ‘Surf City.’ If you want Bombora to be yours and only yours, you have to do it without him.”
I nod, soaking in the truth of what she’s said. “I hate that.”
“But you like Piper,” she flashes a smile before looking over her shoulder. “So why not make it yours and hers? The house and Bombora.”
Before I can answer, she drops her legs in the water, her belly back on the board, and begins a slow paddle, waiting for the incoming wave to catch up with her.
I watch as she takes the wave, then get ready for the next one in the set, which comes in bigger and stronger than I’d expected. I don’t know how I’ll do, but I have to take a chance. I might wipeout, but I have a feeling I’m in for the best ride I’ve had in a long time.
Chapter 32
Piper
By the time Archie and Frankie come back from surfing, I’ve showered, worked for over an hour, and been on the phone with Stella making more plans. She’s agreed to meet me at Frothed, even though I’m conflicted about letting Archie buy me breakfast.
I want to celebrate the work he’s done on his proposal, but I don’t want to spend money he soon won’t have. Archie has no idea what it means tonothave money flowing into your bank account. I went through a rough transition when Malcolm quit giving me money, but I had a vague idea of how much things cost. Archie doesn’t.
He’s got a hard reality check coming.
But I’m confident he’ll be okay, mostly because he’s more interested in maintaining a relationship with his dad—despite Malcolm’s many,manyflaws—than he is about losing access to his dad’s fortune. Malcolm doesn’t deserve that kind of loyalty from Archie, but it’s who Archie is to his core. Loyal to a fault.
And, honestly, I can’t find any fault with that. It’s one of my favorite things about him.
But also, his tenderness. His protectiveness. Even his stubbornness…
And—let’s be honest—his perpetual shirtlessness.
Stella is already at Frothed when we get there. While I’ve been designing, she’s been researching crowdfunding sites.
“I think I’ve found a good one,” she says after we order and find a table. “IFW isn’t as well-known as other sites, but it’s specifically built for women entrepreneurs, and they have all kinds of coaching.”
“That sounds awesome,” Frankie says, and I nod in agreement.
Stella explains more about the company while we wait for our order. As she talks, I feel Archie studying me, and I have a hard time focusing on what Stella is saying. I wonder if he’s getting excited about what we could create together.
Mitzi brings out our coffee and pastries and sets them in front of us. Archie thanks her, then turns to me.
“How are the designs coming?”
“I’m making progress. I’ve drafted how to rework five of my favorites from the New York line Valente stole, so they have a California vibe.” My eyes are tired and my whole body hurts from hunching over my screen, but I’m energized in a way that only the hard work of creating can do.
“Can I see them?” Archie’s smile sends a little shiver of excitement through me.
Somehow, I’ve reverted to the eleven-year-old me who wants more than anything to be seen by Archie. Except, I realize, that’s not what this is. I want to show Archie my designs because I’m proud of them, and I want him to share in my excitement.
“Yeah. I’ll show you after breakfast.” I return his smile.
“I want to see them!” Frankie and Stella say at the same time.
“You can see them, too.” My cheeks warm while my chest swells with affection. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m attempting without their support. I barely know Stella, but if I go throughwith her ideas, I’m going to need her propeller energy for the next few weeks. More likely, months.
Creating a new line of clothes isn’t something I can do overnight. And it’s not something I can do without the friends I’ve made here in the past week, including Archie. Surrounded by this group of people willing to support me, even though they barely know me, my determination to stop Valente getting credit for my work returns. Yesterday, that seemed impossible. Today, though, I’m ready to fight, whatever the sacrifice.
“I’m going to have to stay at Valente for a bit longer,” I say, and they all blink with surprise.
“Why?” Archie asks, already settling into what I’m recognizing as his protective posture. Shoulders back, chest out.
It’s a very sexy look for him.
