Page 98 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
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.
“I’m just saying, it worked for Dex. My knees turn to Jell-o when I think about that kiss.” She glances at Dex with a look I plan to put on Piper’s face with our first real kiss.
“It’s good advice, mate,” Dex says while returning Britta’s soft gaze.
I pull the apron over my head and throw it over the hook on the wall in my dash for the front door.
I’m barely through it when I see Piper at the opposite end of the walkway. We both stop. She smiles, then runs—literallyruns—to me, jumping into my arms and wrapping her legs around my waist.
“I’m not your annoying stepsister anymore,” she says.
“Yeah? I’m going to —”
She puts her finger on my lip. “No more talking.”
I obey.
With one arm wrapped tightly around her waist, I slide my other hand along her jawline to the nape of her neck and kiss the corner of her mouth. As I work my way across her lips, I carry her to an outdoor table no one is sitting at. I’m vaguely aware there are people at the other tables and more inside watching through the window, but I don’t care. I’ve waited too long for this moment to worry about who sees it.
