CHAPTER TWELVE
BIANCA
“He’s what?”
My heart beats rapidly as I pace the room. Mom gives me a concerned expression, yet I can’t concentrate on her that much. She hasn’t told me everything, but what I do know is enough to blow up my world. Liam coming down from college and staying for all of summer break?
“Well, hon, she said that it wasn’t a definite thing until he confirmed it a little bit ago,” Mom says while I nod absentmindedly, but my mind still can’t wrap around the fact that I’m going to see him.
Since orientation a couple weeks ago, my mind has been engaged in a perpetual downward spiral.
Every day I wake up with his face on my mind, at how everything came together, at how he looks after so long.
He’s not that kid who picked daisies for me when coming over, yet when we locked eyes, the entire spectrum of green shining back, I could still see the old him under all that he is now.
I’m okay now. I got over everything . . . again.
“There’s also one more thing.” She nervously tugs at the loose thread on her cardigan, and I prepare for whatever the news is.
“I invited Ana and William to the event tonight, and she also asked if she could invite Liam since there’s a possibility he’s starting his break early . . .”
“Does Josh know?” I ask. He’s currently on a business trip and will be coming home later this afternoon with Olivia for the big opening day of the new firm.
Of course, there have been a couple more of his outbursts, and Ana’s been the sole reason for Josh’s reactions.
Every time she’s mentioned, this look comes over his face.
To me, it’s no secret that he doesn’t like her; she’s been coming over a lot and taking up Mom’s time, so maybe that’s why.
And now, Ana has been added to the list for an event of his.
Mom shakes her head, answering my question.
This’ll be fun. Naively, I thought maybe I could get Ana back in my life, and even William .
. . Unfortunately, the Parkers are, well, the Parkers; they’re a package deal.
There’s always the possibility Liam might not come.
I mean, he’s hours away, and I know I’ll have to face him eventually.
At college, I could somewhat evade him, but here, I sincerely doubt it.
“Mom, what am I gonna do?” I ask, crestfallen, my mind and heart battling against each other.
“Well, hon, I know it still hurts even after all these years, but it might not be as bad as you’re thinking.”
I give her a flat stare. She rubs a hand over my arms, almost caressing them, and I revel in the gesture. My heart cracks with the truth seeping through.
“I think this whole time I’ve had hope that when we finally rekindled, it would go well, but it didn’t, and shoving us in more situations won’t make it better.” I gently slap my hands over my face, peeking through my fingers at my traitorous romance books with the friends-to-lovers trope.
Liars.
“Bianca, I know you’re scared, but if love is involved .
. .” She stops as she sighs and closes her eyes.
“You run the risk of experiencing every other emotion too.” She places a kiss on the top of my head.
I inhale shakily at that, and she raises my face to look at her.
“It’ll be okay, Bianca, I promise. Besides, we still need to attend to support Josh.
Poor thing has been stressed out of his mind since all the attorneys from Philly will be coming too.
” I roll my eyes. No wonder she’s pushing so hard.
Josh wants to look like a devout boyfriend in front of everyone.
Ever the performer.
Though, as always, mother dearest is oblivious. I open the curtain slightly and see Ana walking in front of our house, and then she jogs to the front door. Her shriek of laughter is upon us, and a blissful memory comes over me.
“Honey, can you see who’s at the door?”
I nodded and kissed her arm, as that’s all I could reach. I skipped to the door and threw it open to find a short woman holding a basket, wearing a light, flowy blouse, black leggings, and black flats. But what mostly caught my attention was the boy standing next to her.
He wore a baseball cap backward on his head, a slightly faded Transformers shirt along with black shorts that went down to his knees, and new-looking white Vans. He looked to be a couple years older than me, but what most captivated me were his eyes.
They were the greenest eyes I’d ever seen. I could make out the different shades as they swirled around in his irises. Sage, spring, forest, and everything spanning the entire color spectrum of green.
“Hi, little one, is your mom or dad around?” There was an accent slipping past her lips and I broke out of my bubble as I looked at the woman who was now squatting in front of me.
“Bianca, who’s—oh, hi there,” Mom said as she came up behind me, and the woman rose to her full height.
“Hi! I’m Ana Parker, and this is my son, Liam.
My husband isn’t able to be here, but he sends his regards.
We’re your next-door neighbors,” she said, and I looked at Liam, but he had yet to say anything.
Granted, neither had I. “Liam, say hi,” Ana urged him, but he stared, still not saying anything.
“I’m sorry, he’s usually not this shy.” Ana looked between us, a small smile on her face, and Mom chuckled.
“It’s okay. I’m Kate Harrison, and this is Bianca,” Mom said, and stuck out her hand. Liam’s face softened as he glanced back at me, but then I saw Ana’s face morph into shock.
“Wait, Kate? Kate Thompson?” Ana asked with a smile, and Mom dropped her hand from my back.
“Ana Garcia?” Mom retorted, and Ana nodded quickly. They both scooted away from us slightly, hugging each other.
I looked at them, confused, but then they revealed they had been acquaintances back in high school. I looked back at Liam, who blushed slightly.
“I, um—I’m Liam,” he said, and then facepalmed. “But I-I mean you already knew t-that, since you know, my mom, s-she . . .” he stuttered out, and I giggled at him as his face flushed bright red.
“It’s okay, I’m Bianca,” I said, repeating my name so that he didn’t feel bad, and he looked at my outstretched hand before shaking it.
“Nice to meet you, Bianca.” My stomach filled with this weird fluttering feeling, and I smiled at how he said my name.
“Nice to meet you too, Liam,” I replied. “Do you wanna come in?” He sheepishly showed me his bright smile while nodding. He stepped in with me, and Mom realized I wanted to close the door. She stopped her conversation, closed the door, and sat beside me as Liam sat next to Ana.
“Just you wait. These two are gonna be great friends,” Ana said, and I smiled at her, liking her already.
I blink, coming back to reality when Ana’s rambunctious laughter fills the house, and most importantly, fills me with a happiness that her laughter used to always bring.
It’s been a bit since Mom told me to get ready for the event later tonight, and all I’ve been doing is trying so hard not to throw up or fall into a panic attack.
I shimmied into a cute, pastel-blue romper and opted for some white kitten heels.
I twist my hands in my hair, making some new curls.
I stand in front of the mirror, taking shallow breaths, my nerves getting the better of me.
My hands smooth down the soft, buttery material, and I take one long, deep breath.
A gorgeous person stares back and I smile at her. She can do this; I know she can. I reach over to grab my gold clutch and walk out of the bedroom. As I enter the living room, Josh is admiring Mom while Olivia fixes her hair in the mirror.
“Oh my gosh, Bianca, you look amazing,” Mom says, and Josh looks at me, almost analyzing the outfit; Olivia does the same.
Her black hair is tied back in a loose bun with strands falling out.
Her flawless eyeshadow gives her eyes a more doe-like shape.
She wears a silver dress with earrings to match.
“Thanks,” I reply.
“Alright, are we ready to go?” Josh asks as he puts his arm around Mom’s waist, his Rolex shining slightly, and I roll my eyes at his vanity. Nodding at that, he guides Mom to the door, and we follow behind them as I try to calm down.
Keyword: try.
We drive to the venue. I take some breaths as we hit potholes, Josh not bothering with apologies this time.
Olivia has yet to say hi to me, and I don’t even mind it at this point.
As we arrive, the first thing I see is Ana’s bright-colored Jeep parked, and while I want to smile, nerves attack me more.
Josh hands the key to the valet, and we all get out as Mom and I say thank you to him.
Josh offers her his arm and she takes it.
The venue is beautiful, and it looks like the outside is decorated as well.
There are fake vines wrapped around the load-bearing columns and carefully placed flowers perfectly fitting the outdoorsy theme.
Josh calls us, and I train my smile. We all shake hands with a wealthy couple—from what I can deduce, as they’re dressed as if they’re going to a country derby.
I try not to overthink my outfit, even though everyone else looks like something out of an Armani catalogue.
He whisks us to someone else as he smiles and waves to another group, the bubbly in front of them. My mouth quirks upward as I’m faced with another couple, and I sigh in relief when I notice who they are.
“Tony. It’s been a bit, hasn’t it?” Mom gives him a polite hug and a small smile to his wife.
Tony—Mom’s ex-boss and Josh’s current one, who he’s currently trying to butter up—gives her a warm grin back. “We’ve definitely missed you at the office.” He also gives a firm handshake to Josh. “Spectacular job with the event, I’m impressed.” He gives me a little wave.
“Much appreciated. I also know you haven’t had the chance to meet my daughter, Olivia.” She pushes past me, and I step back as she shakes Tony’s hand excitedly. “She’s going to UPenn in start of a very promising law degree.”
He raises his eyebrows. “That’s exciting. That was my alma mater, it’s an amazing program. I’m sure with Joshua’s influence, you’ll make a fine lawyer one day.” She beams at the praise, and then eyes fall on me.
“I’m also wanting to volunteer at some law firms to get some experience under my belt,” Olivia brings up, and Tony’s eyes once again leave me to look at her. Politely excusing myself, knowing I most likely won’t be able to get a word in, I head toward the drinks table.
“Bianca!” I look up to see Ana waving at me. She has on the cutest little floral dress with beige sandals, her curls bouncing lively. She truly embodies the theme, and not in the pretentious way I’ve seen so far.
“You look beautiful,” I say once I get close enough. She swishes back and forth and then twirls me.
“I think that’s all you. Hermosa as always.” I blush at the compliment, feeling more at ease in this moment than I have so far. A shadow comes to stand next to her, and I look up, gasping.
After Dad died, I never knew who to look up to, in that sense. I had Mom, of course, but the things a dad teaches you are different. I thought I would miss all of it, but because of this man standing in front of me, Mr. William Parker, I was able to still have a father figure in my life.
He wears thin-framed glasses and salt-and-pepper hair, and a couple of wrinkles line his face. He has a stoic look, yet when he makes eye contact with me, his eyes are slightly welling with tears.
“And who is this young lady?” he asks Ana.
“It’s me, Will,” I utter, and his face falls into that soft, familiar expression. I bite back a cry as he smiles at me, feeling like I’m six years old again.
“Come here, you,” he says, wrapping his arms around me and I hug him back. His cologne brings back memories, and I hate how teary-eyed I’m getting. We pull away, and his eyes shine with unshed tears. Mine do too, but I blink them away, trying not to cause my mascara to streak.
“You’ve grown so much, pumpkin.” I nearly cry out at the familiar nickname, nodding, hugging him once more. Another pair of arms snake around me, and I giggle at Ana joining in on the hug. Mom is walking over with Josh. He’s not angry, but he’s not happy about the scene either.
“Oh my goodness. William! How are you?” Mom exclaims, giving him a big hug while letting go of Josh’s hand.
Josh wraps an arm around her waist again, reclaiming her. “Hi, I’m Josh Callaway, Kate’s boyfriend.”
William smiles, grabbing his hand and shaking it firmly. “Oh, nice to meet you. William Parker.”
Josh pulls his hand back and fakes a smile. “Ah, you must be the husband of the woman who’s been stealing Kate away from me lately.”
Ana pokes her head out. “Guilty,” she says.
I elbow her teasingly and look up at Josh; his expression seems to morph into one of resigned acceptance. “Well, it’s a bit unexpected, but it’s a pleasure to see and meet you guys.”
Ana and William exchange confused glances as Josh turns to look at Mom. He grabs her chin. “Looks like you forgot to tell me, sweetie.”
She smiles, but only I know it’s her nervous one. “I thought it would be a nice surprise.”
He raises his eyebrows. “She knows how much I love those.” We all laugh again, a bit lighter than before.
He swings his gaze back on the Parkers, and then I see someone else coming close to us.
Josh slips on his smile, turning to begin his suck-up routine once again, before it seems to drop and my skin peppers with goose bumps when I look closer at the familiar guy.