Piper
Henry is noble, giving up the summer before his senior year, time with his friends and his mom, familiarity and stability in the city where he’s lived his whole life. And all to hang out in Florida with his father, who makes him nutty.
“You’re a good person,” I declare.
He swallows, smoothing a hand over his hair. A rebel lock falls over his forehead. It’s an imperfection I find hopelessly endearing. “Yeah, I try,” he says.
“I want to help you.”
I’m not sure when I made this decision. Maybe the other day, after Tati embarrassed me at the grocery store.
Maybe this morning, when Henry fibbed about making a reservation just to help me shake my sister.
Or maybe just moments ago, when he spoke so sweetly about his mom. But I do—I want to help him.
“Help me how?” he asks.
“I want to make this summer better for you.”
He smiles uncertainly.
“Let’s set them up—your dad and my sister. If you still want to. I understand if you’ve changed your mind after meeting Tati, though. Seems cruel to subject Davis to her again, now that I’m thinking about it.”
He laughs. “Don’t change your mind because you pity me.”
“I’m not that altruistic,” I assure him. “I’ll get something in return.”
“Right. Liberation.”
“Yeah, but also you. If Tati and Davis are busy with each other, then you and I can keep hanging out. If you want. I mean, I think that’d be fun. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m not exactly swarmed by friends.”
God, Piper. Word vomit much?
Henry’s totally cool. “Yeah, what’s up with that, local girl?”
I use a finger to swipe a bit of leftover chocolate glaze from my otherwise empty plate. It’s uncomfortable to admit that my companion count hovers somewhere around one—him. But whatever. I’m in a friendship drought. It happens.
“Local girl doesn’t equal popular girl,” I say, faking nonchalance. “Something happened a few weeks ago. It’s not worth delving into, but the abridged version is that my best friend is pissed at me.”
“This is the Gabi your sister mentioned earlier?”
“Yep.”
“What about the ass monkey who was at my dad’s restaurant? Was he involved?”
I fan my face—is the sun blistering hot, or is it humiliation that’s toasting me? “You’re annoyingly perceptive.”
“And you’re aggravatingly elusive.”
I laugh despite myself. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Seriously, though.” He’s smiling, but his tone is solemn. “I’ve got questions.”
“I believe it. But we have something more important to talk about: Tati and Davis.”