5
Brandon
“So this is Annie.”
I should have known my mom would show up. She gives me a quick questioning glance. Annie’s cheeks are apple red, Pepper radiates smugness, and I can see in the hallway mirror that my hair is a bit mussed up—by my own nervous hands, mind you, but that’s not what it looks like.
“Thank you so much for recommending me for this job,” Annie tells my mom as the two take a seat at the kitchen table. “It means so much—especially when you’d never met me.”
“Well, Brandon has said nothing but good things about you. And I just got off the phone with Susan. She said you won them all over”
“Really?” Annie beams as I set down the plate of Rice Krispie treats. “Thanks,” she says, taking one, her eyes shyly meeting mine.
“They have to interview the other candidates. But it looks promising.”
“Oh my goodness,” says Annie. “I’ll try not to get my hopes up. But who am I kidding—I’m really hoping for this!” She tears off a piece of Rice Krispie treat and pops it in her mouth. “Ooh . . . you were right,” she turns to Pepper. “These are the best.”
“Told you,” Pepper says with her mouth full as she reaches for another square.
I need to punish her for today—and I have no idea how to do that.
My parents grounded me, but that wouldn’t bother Pepper.
She loves to spend time in her room. The only thing that she cares about is her notebook. And I could never take that from her.
“If you get the job, we have a room you can rent,” Mom is telling Annie.
“Really? Do you live nearby?”
“Two houses down!” my mom says with delight.
She loves living so close to her only child and grandchild.
I can’t read Annie’s expression. Contemplative?
At least she doesn’t look horrified. Then again, why would she care if I live next to my mom?
She’s not dating me. She’s dating Mr. Will-o’-the-Wisp.
I should have listened to Pepper when she told me to ask Annie out.
I’m riddled with regret, but I haven’t given up.
There’s still a chance things won’t work out with Jack.
And if Annie takes this job, she’ll live down the street.
I can’t help it—my imagination is running rampant with hope.
***
“So . . . ?” Pepper asks as soon as Annie leaves “Did you kiss her?”
“I did not kiss her. And thanks for reminding me that I’m very mad at you.”
“Mad at Pepper?” asks my mom. “Why?”
“She locked Annie and me up in the Narnia closet with the misguided plan to make us fall in love.”
“And did it work?” my mom asks with a hint of mischief.
“No! Annie’s dating someone else.”
“How disappointing.”
“I don’t believe you!” says Pepper. “When I opened the door you two were standing so close! And Annie’s face was all red.”
“Probably because I said . . . stuff. More than I should have, thanks to my rascally daughter.” I can’t believe all the things I said to Annie.
I may as well have cracked my chest open and handed her my bleeding heart.
Just thinking of how much I shared, I feel a little woozy.
“Frankly, Pepper, I shouldn’t be talking about this with you. It’s none of your business.”
“None of my business who you marry?” she asks, outraged.
I grab a Rice Krispie treat, just to have something to do with my hands. Annie liked them so much she took a plate home, so that’s a win, I guess. As long as she doesn’t share them with her new boyfriend.
“Well, I like her!” declares my mom. “And it seems like she likes you.”
“She certainly liked seeing him shirtless,” cackles Pepper.
“Did you plan that too?” I ask with sudden insight.
Pepper smiles big. “You should have seen her face when he answered the door shirtless in just an apron. I hid in the hall closet to watch.” I’m shaken to my core that my sweet little daughter would even think of that. My mom must be thinking the same thing.
“Where did you even get that idea?” she asks.
“Last summer I heard J.J. talking about how good you look shirtless. After that, I paid attention. Annie always went quiet when you took your shirt off at the beach.” Was that true?
Or was it Pepper’s wishful thinking? “After you failed to ask her out, I had to do something drastic. Good thing I did. Who is this Jack guy anyway?”
“I don’t know. Some tourist.”
“Well, I hate him,” says Pepper.
“I don’t like him much either, but if he’s still around when we visit Norland Park, you need to be civil. No more parent-trapping. You’ve got to trust me to navigate my own dating life. And when the time comes—many, many years from now—I will grant you the same courtesy.”
“But I don’t trust you not to mess everything up. You could be dating Annie right now if you had only listened to me.” She turns to my mom. “Annie asked him out, and he turned her down. Can you believe that?”
“I find that hard to believe.” My mom is doing her best not start laughing. She finds all of Pepper’s shenanigans amusing. If I’m honest, deep down I do too.
“Annie didn’t ask me out. She just asked if I wanted to hang out with her friends that night.”
“Oh dear!” says my mom, shaking her head.
“See what we have to work with?” Pepper says dramatically. She pulls out her journal and starts writing, probably plotting.
“How about a compromise?” I ask. Pepper looks up; I have her attention. “No more matchmaking, or eavesdropping, or locking Annie and me up anywhere. But I will allow unsolicited advice when it comes to Annie. I admit, I might need some help.”
“Really?” Pepper rubs her hands together like she’s plotting world domination. “I have so much advice for you. Starting with your sunglasses. You need new ones—your current pair makes you look like an FBI wannabe.”
I’m afraid I’ve created a monster.