Page 63 of All's Fair in Love and Blackmail

“I know,” I murmur. “You did a good job.”

“And I didn’t want to go to jail either.” There’s a pause, and then she lifts her head to look at me, her face a mess of tears.

“No one is going to jail,” I say softly, smiling at her. I smooth her hair, pull away the strands that are plastered to her skin, stroke her cheek. “Okay?”

Her eyes are still glazed with tears, but she nods, sniffling.

“Want a tissue?”

She nods again, and I smooth my hand over her hair one more time before grabbing her a few tissues from the bathroom. I pass them wordlessly to her and resume my seat, waiting as she wipes her eyes and blows her nose.

“Was the cake a bad idea?” I say.

“No,” she says quickly, shaking her head. “No, it’s perfect. I was just—yeah. Still a little freaked out, I guess.” She sniffles again, her gaze darting away from mine. “Sorry. That’s super embarrassing.”

“Nah,” I say, turning my attention to the little cake. “Anyone would be shaken up after something like that. Next time I need to cry, I’ll let you watch. We’ll call it even.”

She gives a weak, watery laugh, hazy sunshine filtering into the room, and then she nods.

I hesitate and then speak again. “We don’t need to go on a motorcycle ride,” I say. “Now or in the future or at all, if you don’t want.”

Her answering sigh is like a deflating balloon, her body slumping further down in her chair. “Idowant to go,” she says. “Even though I don’t. I don’t want to be so scared that I never ride again. I refuse to let that happen. So even though I’m a little nervous…” She gives a little shrug. “I want to at least try. I’ll probably take her around the neighborhood a few times before that, just to get my bearings again.”

I nod. “That sounds like a great idea.” Then I glance at the table. “Should we dig in, Sunshine Darling?” I say, prying the plastic lid off the cake. I gesture to the little cake, frosted white with a carrot piped on top in orange and green. “This cake isn’t going to eat itself.”

FROM THE INBOX

From:Aurora Marigold

To:Jolene Marigold

Cc:India Marigold ; Juliet Marigold ; Cyrus Marigold

Subject:DID YOU MAYBE FORGET TO TELL US ABOUT A NEW TENANT

Mom. Jolene. Imagine our surprise when we discovered a strange man inside your house earlier today. His name is Luca and he claims to be the new tenant. This would have been great to know BEFORE Indy hit him over the head, thinking he was an intruder.

Anything else we should be aware of?

-A

From:Jolene Marigold

To:Aurora Marigold

Cc:India Marigold ; Juliet Marigold ; Cyrus Marigold

Subject:Re: DID YOU MAYBE FORGET TO TELL US ABOUT A NEW TENANT

Aurora, India, Juliet, and Cyrus,

Oh no!!!! I did forget to warn you he was moving in early!!! I am so sorry!!! Mr. Slater is a lovely young man with excellent references. He is staying just while he finds a home to purchase!!! Your father and I feel very good about having him as our tenant!!!! Please make him feel welcome!!! Maybe you could take him some cookies???

Love you all SOOOOOO MUCH,

MOM AND DAD

P.S. your father tried eel!!! He did not much care for it.

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