“So, are you nervous?” Riley asks as I drive away from our house. I’m taking her to the birthday party, then I plan to go home and finish packing.
“Why would I be?” I squint at her as we slow at a traffic light.
“I don’t know…I just think I’d be about to pass out if I were you. You’re moving in with a dude you barely know.”
I press my lips together, but I can’t keep from bursting out laughing. “Ry, thanks to Mom, I’ve lived with lots of guys I barely know. It’s going to be alright. Hunter is Hayden’s brother. That’s already a huge bonus. I can always talk to Hade if something bothers me.”
“I hate that it’s normal for you, that it doesn’t bother you. It’s wrong.” Riley’s cheeks flame up red as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Mom is Mom, and I can’t be angry with her forever, but what she did—”
“Is in the past.” I reach over and put my hand on her knee. “Like you said, Mom is Mom, and she’ll never change. I’ve made my peace with it, and her antics don’t get to me so much now.”
My little sister stares at me silently, and then she slowly nods. “Okay. Sorry, Piper. I’m just mad.”
“Mad? Why?” I ask as we near her best friend Madison’s house. “What happened? Are you upset about staying with Mom and Wade after I move out?”
“No.” I knew that wasn’t it, but I needed to make sure. The girl practically threw a party when I told her about Hunter’s offer. She was incredibly excited and supportive, reassuring me over and over that she’d be okay.
“Then is it about Lola and Josh?”
She groans dramatically and presses her palms to her face. “I hate you, Pip.”
“Ry, if something’s wrong, I want to help.”
“Everything’s okay, just…they are both going to be at Maddie’s birthday, and I’m afraid it’ll be awkward.”
“Because he chose you?”
“Yeah. Lola played it cool, but I know her. She’s upset,” my sister mumbles, fiddling with the hem of her dress. “I’m not sure I should—”
“Stop this,” I command, parking the car in Maddie’s driveway. “Lola never told you she liked Josh, right? But once she knew he liked you, she suddenly decided to stake her claim on him. It’s manipulative. A real bitchy move, sis. The sooner you get it, the better. Lola doesn’t deserve your friendship or your worries.”
“But what if she wasn’t lying?” Riley asks as we climb out of the car. She gets her gift from the backseat of my Toyota Corolla and turns to me.
I glance up at the sky and then focus on my sister. “First, please answer my questions. Do you like Josh?”
“I do.”
“Did you know anything about Lola liking him before he told you he liked you?” She shakes her head no, and I barely stop myself from smiling triumphantly. “Then you don’t owe her anything. Just enjoy your best friend’s party with the guy you like. Okay?”
“Okay.” She gives me the cutest little smile.
I wrap my arms around her shoulders and pull her to my chest. “Have fun, beautiful. I’ll be here to pick you up around eight.”
“Thank you, Piper.” Riley squeezes me hard, almost knocking the air out of my lungs. “See you later.”
“See you.” I wait for her to step inside and only then climb back into my car. I have too many things I need to accomplish today.
Once inside the house, I lock eyes with my mom. She halts in her tracks, and a gentle smile lifts her plump lips.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, Piper. Did you take Riley to the birthday party?”
“Yeah, I hope she’s having fun. I need to pack, and then I’ll pick her up and bring her home.”
“Thank you, sweetheart,” she murmurs, her ice-blue eyes full of curiosity as she studies my face. “I barely see you, even when you’re home, and now you’re moving out.”
“I’m the quiet one,” I tell her, referring to how she compares me to Riley. “I prefer to stay in my room.”
“I know you do, but I often think it has something to do with me. When I get home from work, if you’re here, you’re with Riley in the living room or the kitchen. When I’m here, you’re in your room.”
“Ry hates being alone, so if you’re not here, she wants my company.” I’m not exactly lying. That’s really how my sister is. Though she prefers my company over Mom’s any day of the week.
“Then it’s fortunate Wade moved in last week. He’ll keep her company if she wants.” She grins, while I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. Another man, another attempt to build something, another candidate for stepdad. “He’s a great man.”
“Maybe,” I mutter. To be fair, Wade isn’t like any of her other men, in a good way, and she acts differently when he’s around. Softer, kinder, and more attentive to her kids. But I’d rather not get my hopes up in case it turns out to be another disaster. “I’m glad you have someone to help with the house while I’m gone. Wade is a nice guy, and he’s only been kind and respectful to me.”
Mom nods and smiles. “How are you holding up? It’s quite a change, if you ask me. Moving in with strangers, working, looking after someone’s child.”
“Story is adorable, and I enjoy spending time with her. It won’t be a problem. I’ll get used to everything else. People get used to anything. I’m not worried.”
“Have you asked who decided to name her that?”
Mom and her prejudice. It’s ridiculous she’s so judgmental considering how many times our neighbors have criticized her actions and behavior.
“No clue. It’s just a name,” I say.
“These famous rich folks always choose the weirdest names for their kids.” She tsks. “I don’t get it.”
“Hunter seems like an ordinary person. If I met him on the street, I’d have never even thought he was a celebrity.”
“But I’m sure you would’ve noticed him. He’s incredibly handsome.” Mom winks knowingly, and my brows knit together. “I googled him. Needed to know who my daughter is going to be working for.”
“He’s my boss and Hayden’s older brother, Mom. I don’t think about him in any other way.” I hold her gaze, pursing my lips. I can’t deny the fact that Hunter Hale is gorgeous, and feeling his gaze on me yesterday sent a billion tingles through my whole body. But him being my boss and my best friend’s brother overrules anything I might feel when he’s around.
“We’ll see.” She smirks and disappears into the living room.
It was really nice talking to you, Mom.
I shake my head and pad to my bedroom. I need to get rolling, or I might be late.
“Hey.” I wave in an awkward greeting, earning a surprised look from Hunter. The white tee and black shorts he has on save me from reviving the embarrassment I felt after cussing when I saw him last time. “I’m a bit early.”
“That’s totally fine,” he says, stepping aside to let me in. I drag my suitcase after me, and then stop in the middle of the hallway.
“Do you have more stuff in your car?” he asks.
I look over my shoulder, meeting Hunter’s gaze. “No, this is all I brought with me. I don’t live very far, so if I forgot something, I can always go back and get it…while Story is at school, for example.”
He smiles and closes the door. “Let’s go; I’ll show you your room, and then we can talk about our plans for tomorrow.”
“Great.”
Hale gestures for me to follow him. He’s tall, maybe six feet, and the top of my head reaches his shoulder.
“Where is Story?” I ask, and Hunter glances at me. He stops near the door and opens it for me.
“She’s in her room, talking to her mom on FaceTime.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “She wanted to finish the call before you got here, so she could greet you.”
“Oh…I hope she’s not upset.”
“You’re here, so she’ll be the happiest girl alive. She was literally buzzing all day, waiting for your arrival.”
I grin at Hunter, moving to step inside the room, but a door to my right suddenly opens, and Story bursts through. Her gaze lands on me, and she squeals, runs over to me, and wraps her arms around my waist. “I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve been waiting for you!”
“Really?” I let go of my suitcase and kneel in front of this adorable little girl. “I’ve been waiting to see you too. How have you been?”
“Amazing,” she murmurs, her eyes roaming over my face. “You’re so pretty.”
“Not as pretty as you.” I take her hands in mine, and her smile grows bigger. “Will you help me unpack?”
“Yes,” Story breathes, and I look up at her dad. Hunter stares at me, looking…annoyed? Did I do something wrong?
“Hunter, what time does Story usually go to bed?”
“Bed?” he asks, frowning and then instantly shaking his head. “Usually, on the weekends, she’s asleep before ten p.m., but I think we can make an exception for today.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Story lets go of my hand as I stand up.
I take my suitcase, and we both step inside my bedroom. Hunter stays behind to turn on the lights. The place is decorated in beige and white, with a king-size bed, a desk with a chair, a spacious walk-in closet, and another door that leads to the en suite bathroom. It’s way bigger and brighter than my room at my Mom’s, and I feel like Cinderella after she finally moved out of her evil stepmother’s house to share a palace with her prince. The only difference: Hunter Hale isn’t my Prince Charming. With the way he keeps frowning, he’s starting to remind me of Gru from Despicable Me. I wonder what his problem is.
“I’ll be waiting for you in the living room. Take your time,” he mutters, and he disappears from view. Story and I exchange a glance, and she shrugs.
“It’s not about you,” she tells me as I close the door. “It’s about Mom. They can’t stand each other.”
