Page 127 of Never Kiss and Tell

“God, I can’t believe he’s telling this.”

“Gemma — her mom, bought stain to do up an old dresser. She and Andi were going to do it together. Andi was only nine at the time and her mom wanted to have some bonding time.Well, Gemma hands Andi the thing of stain and says, don’t drop it. Of course, Charlie and I are out in the garage trying to get my piece of crap Chevy to run when they come walking out.”

I have to add, I don’t know why, but Gemma had taken the lid off the stain inside, so she had to be planning for this to happen.

Well, Andi follows her mom down the stairs to the sidewalk and right as she reaches the bottom step, her foot gave out and she fell, covering herself and Gemma in that gallon of stain. Got the stairs. Got the sidewalk. Even got the old house on Dumaine. But Gemma didn’t yell. And Andi didn’t apologize. Gemma asked her what happened and Andi said well, you took the lid off, what did you think was going to happen?”

He laughs, shaking his head along with the crowd. “I remembered that story and I knew, Andi can take care of herself. She’s not afraid to stand up to anyone. She’s not afraid of hard work, which is what a marriage takes. And she’s definitely not afraid to tell you when you’re being a dumbass.”

The room laughs, the sound in the room rising to where I can barely hear Dad’s last statement.

“Thank you all for coming. Oh, and Tom,” he says, the room falling silent again. Tom looks to Dad expectantly, though there’s a trickle of fear there. “If you hurt her, I’ll sick Bailey on you.”

Bailey and Andi laugh, chattering behind my back. I’m frozen in place, because Dad looks my way and nods, like he knows what I’m thinking.

Part of me feels like that whole speech wasn’t just for Andi. Maybe it applies for me, too.

I walk Bailey to the car that will be taking her and Andi to the hotel tonight. I have to go without her, something that sets me on edge. I just need a moment with her, long enough to say something I need to get off my chest. If I say it now, and she runs away like I think she might, I’ll only have to look at her one more day until she’s back on a plane to California.

I pull her to a stop a couple feet away from the car waiting at the curb. Andi is too busy saying goodbye to Tom and everyone else is engaged in conversations. It’s just us in our little square of space.

“What’s wrong?” Bailey asks, her delicate brow furrowing as she gauges my expression.

“Nothing. I just wanted to say goodbye.”

She chuckles, humorlessly, worry lighting up her eyes. “Are you sure that’s it?”

I grit my teeth, willing myself to be a man and just fucking do it.

“Bailey, I need to tell you something.”

Her smiles fades to nothing. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“No.” I take her hands in mine and they’re cold to the touch. Leaning forward, I press my forehead to hers and close my eyes. “Nothing’s wrong.”

Everything’s right. Save for one thing.

“Break it up, lovebirds. It’s time to go,” Andi calls from the car.

Five minutes. I just need five minutes. I run through Dad’s speech in my head, searching for the right thing to say.

“I, um . . .”

Bailey places her hand on my cheek, smiling softly at me. “It’s okay,” she whispers. “I know.”

“Know what?” I dare.

“I heard you and Andi. I know she was pressuring you. I don’t have any expectations from you once this is over. I get it, Charlie.”

Shit.

God fucking dammit.

“You don’t need to feel guilty. This has been the best five weeks of my life.”

She raises onto her tiptoes and places a soft kiss to my cheek, before stumbling back from me and putting a foot between us. My body craves her the moment she’s left me and I tug her back, pressing a kiss to her lips.

Disappointment. Anger. Resentment. The same shit I feel when I think of Mom crashes in on me.

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