Oh, hell no. That willneverhappen.
“Maybe next time,” I say, praying they’ll forget all about this conversation by next week. “I’m still a little sore.”
“I’m sorry, can we just back up to the part where you joined a dance class?” My mother’s face is a mask of confusion, but I can’t exactly blame her. She knows the terms of my scholarship and that I’m prohibited from engaging in activities that might cause injury. “What were you thinking?”
“I… There’s this girl—”
“I knew it!” Gran crows, punching her fist in the air. “You finally found her.”
“I did.” The grin that splits my face is impossible to suppress. “Her name is Piper, and we’re having lunch on Thursday.”
I don’t mention that it’s taken me weeks to secure even a casual date.
“Look out, Molly,” Gran says, winking at my mom. “I see wedding bells in the future.”
“Mom!” My mother’s face pales and she shoots Gran asimmer downstare. “It’s just a first date. Let’s not rush things.” She turns back to the camera. “Ignore your grandmother. Take your time getting to know Piper. The last thing you want to do is rush into a serious relationship.”
Like she did.
She doesn’t say it aloud, but she doesn’t have to. My father was a piece of shit who walked out and left her alone with an infant. It would be more shocking if she didn’t have regrets about her own whirlwind romance.
“It’s not about rushing or taking your time,” Gran argues, looking smug. “When you know, you know. The moment I met your father, I knew I was going to marry him.”
Mom smiles and her eyes are soft as she turns to Gran. “I know, but it’s a different time. Brady’s got his whole life ahead of him.”
They spend the next thirty minutes grilling me about Piper. I recount our first meeting and how I later spotted her walking down College Ave. Gran practically swoons, and though mom isn’t as enthusiastic, it’s clear she’s happy to see me happy.
When we finally say our goodbyes, I’m ready to crash.
I’m just about to disconnect when Gran calls out to me.
“I’m going to add condoms to your next care package. Is there a brand you prefer?”Fucking hell. My face ignites and I’m too mortified to even stammer a response. “We don’t want any little Brady’s running around before you tie the knot, after all.”
Kill. Me. Now.
11
PIPER
The heat wavehas finally broken and a cool autumn breeze whips at my back as I enter College Park Brewery, flustered and acutely aware I’m three minutes late for my lunch date with Brady.
It’s only three minutes.
Three minutes that suggest I’m an entitled jerk who doesn’t respect his time.
Dr. Barnes has kicked students out of her classroom for less.
This isn’t a lecture.
No, it’s a date, which is infinitely more terrifying. My stomach has been twisted in knots all morning, and I haven’t been able to concentrate on a damn thing, as evidenced by the fact that I’m wearing two different shoes.
Two. Different. Shoes.
How the hell does that even happen?
I put so much effort into choosing the right clothes last night—jeans and a cobalt sweater that brings out my eyes—and yet my shoes were a total fail.
If you hadn’t been running late, it wouldn’t have happened.
