Page 94 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
“Did you see my proposal?”
“Sybil will look over it.” He’s not unkind. Just dismissive—which, I guess, is a type of unkindness.
“I’d like you to review it. You’re the expert.” I force a smile and wave at Mitzi’s boyfriend, Harry, who lives across the street, then go back to walking up and down the sloped footpath.
“I haven’t got time right now, but I will. You come home, and we’ll go through it together.”
For a second, I’m tempted to believe him. Old habits are hard to break. But I can’t ignore what’s become clear. Our relationship is the only one that’s still intact for him because I haven’t pushed back when Dad gives orders. He has control.
Life is easier with someone else in the driver’s seat, but less satisfying.
“I’m not coming back, Dad. I’m staying here.” I answer with a firmness that will leave no question whether I mean it.
When the words leave my mouth, something else goes with it: the weight of wanting Dad’s approval. The weight of wanting his love. I’ve been carrying it so long I’d forgotten how heavy it is.
“How do you plan to support yourself?” Dad asks in his blustering way.
“Dunno yet.” I smile to myself, feeling a hundred times lighter. “Bye, Dad.”
I start back toward Frothed, knowing I have all the people—including Piper—who love me as I am, waiting for me there.
Chapter 34
Piper
The only break I take from working on my line Saturday and Sunday is to say goodbye to Frankie. After reconnecting with her, I have to choke back tears when she leaves. I hope she’ll come back soon. Even if she doesn’t, I don’t think we’ll lose touch again. This weekend has shown me that family is more than I’ve let it be. Family has nothing to do with who Mom is married to and everything to do with who has my back when I need them most.
I fall asleep before Archie comes home from dropping off Frankie at the airport. The next morning, I’m greeted with noise and the smell of coffee coming from the kitchen. I smile, knowing it’s Monday, Archie’s in the kitchen, and he’s not going anywhere. That’s enough to get me out of bed, even though I hate the idea of going back to Valente.
When I come downstairs, Archie’s in his board shorts and “Surf City” apron. No shirt. No shoes.
Just right.
“Hi,” I say.
His face lights up, and he hands me a mug. “Mornin’. I made you coffee.”
“Thank you.” I breathe in the rich aroma of arabica beans and Archie.
“You want a smoothie, too?” He smiles down at me, and I realize this is the first time we’ve been alone since Frankie showed up on Friday. There’s nothing to stop us from kissing, except our own silly rules.
Archie’srules, to be specific.
“A smoothie sounds amazing now that our prank war is over.” I lick my lips and inch close enough that my coffee cup creates the only distance between us. Judging by the look on his face, he’s ready to toss aside my cup, along with any reservations about spending the rest of the day kissing me.
“Quit trying to tempt me, you little menace. Rules are rules. You’ll be grateful I held the line.” Archie slides the mug from my hands, but instead of tossing it, he takes a sip and steps around me. “And the smoothie prank was yours.”
I roll my eyes and steal my coffee back. “Yeah, but leaving smoothiemessesbehind was yours.”
His eyes dart to my face. “That…wasn’t a prank.”
“Oh.” I bite my lip. “Then I apologize for retaliating like it was, but to be fair, the messes you left behind could have been a war zone.”
“Fair.” He turns me around and guides me out of the kitchen. “Now get going. I’ve got a smoothie to make—and to clean up properly—and you need to get ready to burn Valente down.”
“Deal.”
I dash upstairs, smiling the whole way to my room, and get ready faster than I ever have just so I can spend more time with Archie. When I come back downstairs, he has a smoothie ready for me.
