6 #2
“Oh, good!” I say with real relief. “Then we should have a lovely summer.”
“I’m planning on it. And in exchange, dad has given me veto power on the women he’s dating.”
“Your dad is dating?” I’m surprised by how much I suddenly hate this idea. But I really hate it. So. Very. Much.
“Yeah, he got a dating app,” Pepper says as she carries her pillow and stuffed bunny upstairs. “He’s such a spoilsport. He refused to put any shirtless photos in his profile. Can you believe that?”
“Your dad doesn’t need a shirtless photo to sell himself.”
“You might be right. You wouldn’t believe all the women he’s messaging.”
“I believe it. He’s a catch. I bet he didn’t even mention that he can make the best grilled cheese sandwich in the universe.” I tend to exaggerate most things, but I’m not overstating anything here. I’m still thinking about that perfectly cheesy sandwich.
“He didn’t put down half the things I suggested. I just hope he picks someone nice. Not some evil stepmom who wants to send me off to boarding school.” Pepper places her stuffed rabbit on her bed.
“You don’t need to worry,” I say sitting down on the bed beside her. “For one thing, there’s no way your dad would ever marry someone who didn’t absolutely adore you. And two, haven’t you secretly always wanted to go to boarding school?”
“Are you some mind reader?” Pepper asks, her eyes wide. “I have always wanted to go to boarding school. How did you know?”
“Because I always wanted to go to a boarding school and wear a uniform.”
“I already wear a uniform. It’s not that great. That reminds me, did you hear back about the job?”
“I did! I had a second interview. I would have visited you guys, but you were out of town. But I did see your grandma.” I had such a nice visit with Brandon’s mom.
She has an incredible garden. We talked so much about flowers that we didn’t ever talk about Brandon, which was a shame.
I wouldn’t have minded hearing some embarrassing childhood stories.
Although Brandon probably doesn’t have any humiliating stories.
I can’t imagine him ever doing anything immature.
“I wasn’t there because I was visiting my other grandparents in Arizona.”
“Oh, that’s nice.”
I already knew that was where Pepper’s grandparents lived.
I might have Googled Brandon one night. The man shares so little, and I just wanted to understand him better.
I’m not proud of it, okay? But I ended up reading all about his wife’s tragic death in a slot canyon as well as all the details about their wedding.
It was featured in the New York Times wedding section.
Daphne was effortlessly elegant—tall and cigarette thin, with sleek brown hair and a curated beauty.
Basically, the opposite of me. In the photos she has striking blue eyes.
I can never decide if they are happy or sad.
They have the quality of blue sapphires, holding both heat and cold.
Brandon, of course, is incredibly dashing in the wedding photos.
His face is so much softer. I don’t think it’s just because there’s no beard and he’s a decade younger.
It’s as if he hasn’t yet learned to hide his feelings.
He’s gazing at his new bride in rapt adoration.
My heart aches whenever I look at that picture, knowing that in a few short years he’ll be a widower with a baby.
“Yes, they spoil me rotten,” Pepper says about her grandparents. “But it’s really hot in the summer. Either we’re in the pool or inside where they keep the AC so low that sometimes you have to walk outside just to thaw out.”
“There you are.” Brandon steps into the room lugging Pepper’s enormous pink duffle bag.
“Ready for lunch?”
“Yes!” shouts Pepper. “I’m starving.”
“Where’s Jack?” I ask.
“I told him to jump in a lake,” Brandon says dryly.
“Did you really?” Pepper asks, looking impressed. My mouth is agape. I think Brandon’s joking, but his words hit a little too close to home.
“Don’t worry,” he says, as he gently nudges my mouth closed. “He ran next door to get his rain jacket. It’s misting outside.”
“Oh,” is all I can manage. Brandon is acting so calm and comfortable—and touching me. He never touches me. And now he just chucks my chin as if I were anyone. I kind of want to shake him. His apathy is killing me. “Did you really download a dating app?” I ask as we step outside into the light rain.
“A dating app?” he asks with some surprise. Maybe it’s a secret.
“Yeah, Pepper told me you created a dating profile. I thought you didn’t date,” I say, trying to keep the accusation out of my voice.
“Did she really?” Brandon exchanges a strange look with his daughter. “Well, I didn’t want to broadcast it, but yeah, I think I’m ready to date again.” This comment shouldn’t bug me as much as it does.
“Good idea,” says Jack, who joins us as we pass his cottage. “You’re not getting any younger.” That was a little rude, but Brandon rolls with it.
“That’s why I’m spreading the net wide. Any woman from twenty-five to forty-five will do.”
I should be happy for Brandon, but instead, all I feel is nauseous.
***
Somehow, we end up spending the rest of the day with Pepper and Brandon.
Lunch at the cafe stretches out for nearly three hours.
So many people stop by our table to greet the newcomers.
My mom is thrilled to have her favorite customers back.
She sends out an entire blueberry pie à la mode to Brandon and Pepper.
And just by chance, Edward and Elinor show up at the same time as the pie.
We all share it, eating it straight out of the tin and swapping stories.
Before we know it, it’s time for my piano concert.
Pepper and Brandon insist on attending on their first day back.
“I see you have your full entourage,” J.J. says as we enter the hotel lobby. She pulls me aside. “How’s it going with those two?” J.J. looks pointedly at Jack and Brandon. “Have they thrown any punches?”
“No, they get along fine. Why wouldn’t they?”
“That’s surprising,” says J.J. sounding a little disappointed.
“You know what I think? I think those two are going to end up friends,” I say brightly.