Page 5 of Perilous

“Nothing happened,” I say. “I don’t know what you think would have happened. But nothing happened. You know what I’ve always wanted to do.”

“You want to go find yourself, galivanting across Europe.”

“Life is short, right?”

“Oh, please, Annika. Don’t try thatnew agebullshit on me.Life is short.You want out? I don’t care anymore.”

“Just like that?”

Dad stands up, adjusts his tie, and looks around.

“Just like that,” he says as he’s already turning and walking toward the door to exit.

I’m not sure I’m able to process any excitement because I’ve yet to get down to the nitty-gritty task of talking numbers. That’s right.Daddy’s Little Girlneeds some cash to make this work for me.

Mid thought, a person appears where Dad had been sitting. She sits down and puts her feet up on the table, chewing on a coffee stirrer.

“Were you listening the entire time?” I ask Molly.

“That’s what you wanted from me,” she says. “I have to admit, the older Holom gets, the hotter he gets.”

“Ew.”

“I’ve had a crush on your father since we met.”

“I know. Way back in eighth grade.”

“He was the first time I realized things were changing about my body and all that, you know?”

“Stop,” I tell Molly. “At this point, why even tell me? Just go for it. Everyone is a consenting adult.”

“Yeah? You want me to be your new stepmother?”

I laugh. Loud. “You think my father would offer any kind of commitment?”

Molly snorts. “I’m just joking, Annika. Chill. Plus, I’m probably too old for him by now anyway. He likes them under twenty-one, right?”

I cringe.

“But, hey, seems like he’s going to listen this time,” Molly says.

“So you heard everything? That’s good. You’re my witness. In case he pulls any kind of stunt.”

“What’s the appeal, Annika? Just to travel the world and fuck random guys?”

“Maybe,” I confess. “What I know for sure is that I do not want to be under the control of anyone anymore.”

“Other than taking your father’s money to bolt out of the country?”

“And you don’t do the same?”

“Don’t drag me into your issues. I hate my father and he hates me. He gives me money so I stay away from him.”

“That’s toxic.”

“Gives me my edge. And it’s probably why I think your dad is so hot. Like mydaddy issuesmake me want to fuck yourdaddy.”

I hold out one hand and shake my head. “Molly, for real, I’m going to vomit.”

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