"Bullshit,"I say, although she just described Angela. AndLiberty. And the flight attendant.Shit. I did have a type. At least I did beforePalmer.
"You even have the same script, for God's sake. Don't pretend to be offended."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, come on,Charlie,"she scoffs. Sheholdsup her fingers crooked like quotation marks."'I'm so lucky to be with you.' 'I wish you believed how beautiful you are.' Give me abreak. I know they're just lines.Libertytold me."
I rear back."Libertytold you what? I honestly have no idea what thefuckyou're talking about."
For a moment, hergazewavers, and she seems unsure. But then she does that thing where she straightens hershouldersand steels herself, like she's going into battle."Libertywarned me about the lines you use. She said you've said those exact words to her."
"She's lying,"I protest."I might have a few lines, I admit it. I liked topickup women and take them home. It's mutual, all part of the little dance we do. But I've never said anything to you I didn't mean."
Herlaughis scornful."She repeated them verbatim. How would she knowexactlywhat you said to me, word-for-word, if you never said the same to her?"
"I don't know. I only know I meant those words for you and only you,Palmer."
She's breathing heavy, hands on herhips. She drops her head."It doesn't matter. This isn't real. It never was. It never was supposed to be."
A cleat to my balls wouldhurtless. I don't know what to say, because I don't know what happened. I don't know what this is. Abreak-up? Can'tbreakup something that doesn't exist, and according to her, nothing exists between us.
"I should go,"she says, so quietly I almost don't hear her.
"Yeah. Maybe you should."I inch backward toward my house.
She looks up, her expression pinched, and takes a step toward me."I'm sorry. I don't want to fight. You've become one of my closest friends, and I don't want to lose you."
I force a tight-lipped smile at her, even as the dagger twists in my heart."Yeah. Well, I'll just wish you good lucktomorrow, then."
She takes another step forward while I retreat."Can we—can I see youtomorrow? This thing is at eleven and Iplanto get out of there as soon as I've eaten. Then can we talk about this? I'm just in a stupid mood, and I took it out on you, and I didn't mean it. I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
She comes to me. This time, Istandstill and let her put her arms around me, her head fitting perfectly in the crook of my neck. Iclosemy eyes and breathe in her sweet scent. I'll never be able to smell a peach the same way again."Nothing to forgive. I'm sorry I pushed."
"Still friends?"she murmurs. Her breath ghosts over my fluttering pulse.
"Always,"I say, struggling to keep my voice from cracking. I think I just lost thegame. Mychestis heavy. I've lostPalmer.
Thirty
Palmer
I don't sleep wellafter I leaveCharlie's. Something happened between us that was both monumental and not good. He was genuinelyhurtI didn't want him to come with me, and when I think about what I'd said, I realize how callous I'd come across. I'd all but told him hewasn'tgood enough to be myboyfriend. It's not true. I would be proud to callCharliemine, despite what my parents might say, if I thought he felt the same. And my judgment is so off, I can't risk believing he might without proof.
By the time my alarm goes off, I've managed to capture a few hours of sleep. I shower, takecarewith my hair and makeup, and put on the daisy-patterned vintage swing dress I'd thrifted during a shopping excursion withTisha.
"Ugh."I check the clock. If I don't leave in the next five minutes, I'll be late, and I'll never hear the end of it. I sling my little purse across mychest, grab my phone, andstartfor the door when I remember I forgot to put on the largepinkdaisy earrings I'd found to go with my dress. I set everything down,runto the bedroom to find them, then gather it all up and rush to the car.
Traffic is thankfully light heading west and I make it to my parents in just under an hour. Pretty sure I'll have a ticket in the mailthanksto the new speed camera they put up just past Exit 80, but it's a small price to pay to not face my mother's censure ontopof everything else happening today.
I park in the side driveway as usual and make my way through the back door. I'm greeted with a bear hug from Helen."Sweet girl,"Helen says, pulling away."You shouldn't be here. I don't know what your mother is thinking."
Tears suddenly spring to my eyes, and I'm grateful there is one person on my side here."You know how she is."
"I do, which is why I told her she could fire me if shewants, but I will not be catering this engagement lunch."
My eyes widen."What did she say?"
Helen picks up a rag and returns to wiping the counter."I'm still here and there's a catering company setting up a big tent outside."