Page 38 of Here's to Tomorrow

You’d think since Tessa is my dad’s sister, the relationship between Walker and my dad would be stretched thin, but that couldn’t be less true. They’re best friends, and Dad talks to Tessa about as much as everyone else does, which is hardly ever.

“Whatevs, girl. So, what’s up with my favorite people?” Perry beams around the table.

“Oh, you know, just enjoying lunch with my favorite two people in the world—that is until some punk-ass kid came and interrupted everything.”

Perry clutches his chest in mock pain. “You wound me, Hales. ’Tis okay, though. I know you really love me.”

“Barely,” she grumbles.

She’s such a liar. The only thing Haley loves more than me, Dad,andPerry? Giving Perry shit.

“Anyway, Uncle Ted, what goes on? How’s the big city?”

“Boring, big, exhausting, never-ending,” my dad answers on a sigh.

“Why don’t you just retire? You’re like, what, sixty, right?”

Dad pops Perry in the shoulder. “You little shit. I’ll have you know I’m only forty-five, a year younger than your dad, thank you very much.”

“Still old.”

“Hi Mr. Kamden, Rae, Haley,” Clarissa says in her fakest sweet voice. Why she’s over here, I have no idea. She’s not the one serving us today. We all ignore her, but she doesn’t seem to care as she leans into the table, propping her elbows up so her breasts look bigger. “Hi, Perry.”

Ah, she’s here to flirt.

In an obvious attempt to avoid any contact whatsoever with her, Perry shifts my way and dips his head at her. “Hey.”

Clarissa, who is a twenty-four-year-old woman, pouts at his brushoff. Then she gives him her bestcome hitherlook and straightens, puffing her chest out at him. “Whatever. See you later, Perry,” she says, sashaying away.

“God, that girlkillsme. She’s so pushy and fake and weird,” Perry complains, adding in a shiver for dramatic effect.

“Try working with her,” I gripe.

“Is she still…you know…working extra?” Haley asks.

“Unfortunately.”

“Working extra is great! What could be so bad about that?” Dad asks, not understanding what we’re hinting at.

Haley, Perry, and I exchange looks and all burst into laughter.

“Uncle T, she works extra in the back seats of cars,” Perry explains in the politest way possible.

The look on my dad’s face and the loud groan that accompanies it bring on the second round of laughter.

For a moment, I’m happy. My nightmare doesn’t exist, and my rapidly growing feelings for Hudson aren’t weighing on me. Briefly, all my fears fade away.

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