Page 28 of Petals and Plot Twists
My parents have donea lot since I was last home.
I barely recognize the place. The entryway is lined with boxes, the pictures are off the walls, and it looks like they’re repainting the living room. All the furniture is covered with plastic, and cans of paint are stacked under the window.
I stand in the entryway, eyes surveying the scene, heart somewhere on the floor. I love my apartment at The Serendipity, but this house was home for so long, and now it isn’t anymore. At least, it won’t be in a couple of weeks.
Sophie steps up beside me and slips her arm through mine, giving it a little squeeze. “This is pretty wild.”
Despite our slightly tense conversation on Monday morning, things were fine for the rest of the week. Though I did notice Sophie didn’t schedule any more dates. I won’t ask her if it’s because of anything I said, but I won’t deny how much I enjoyed having her around without having to worry about playing chaperone.
It’s a selfish thought, but I like having Sophie all to myself.
I’m also glad she’s here with me today. She’s maybe the only person who understands what this feels like for me.
I take a steadying breath. “Yeah. I didn’t expect it to hit me so hard.”
“You lived here your entire life, Peter,” she says gently. “It’s a big deal.”
Mom appears on the opposite side of the living room, and she smiles wide. “If it isn’t two of my favorite people.” She walks toward us, pulling both of us into a crushing group hug, one arm looped around each of our necks.
“Oof,” Sophie says, her face smooshed into my ribcage. “So good to see you, Mrs. Stone.”
“Stop calling me that,” she says to Sophie. “Once you’re out of college, you get to call me Evelyn. How are you? How’s life?”
“Good. Lots of the same. Work. Work. A little more work.”
“How’s your mother?” Mom asks.
Sophie’s eyes shift to mine for the briefest second. “On a cruise, actually. With Pierre. Or, wait. I think it’s Jean-Luc, now.”
“Jean-Luc?” I say, looking at Sophie. “What happened to Pierre?”
“Good question,” she says.
“Someone new?” Mom asks.
Sophie grimaces. “It’s always someone new, Evelyn.”
Mom takes Sophie’s hand, patting it gently. “Well, if she’s happy, that’s all that matters, right?”
It’s hard to guess what my mom really thinks about Isabella Stewart’s dating habits. My parents have been married for twenty-seven years, and they’ve never seemed happier. When Allison and I were teenagers, we decided it was pointless to ever hope we’d find a love as good as what our parents have. They’rethatperfect for each other.
“What about you?” Mom says, turning to face me. She reaches up and cups a hand around my cheek. “What’s new with you?” I sense a level of worry in her voice, and I don’t like it. I know she’s stressed about leaving me, so even though I’m gutted by the sight of their house all packed up, I force myself to smile.
“Since I was here last week?” I ask.
“A week is a long time,” she says.
“I’m good, Mom,” I tell her. “Everything is good.”
Mom smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I’m not sure she believes me.
“Actually, Peter might be getting a promotion,” Sophie says, and I shoot her a surprised look. Her eyes widen the slightest bit, like she’s begging me to just go along with it. “A management position,” she adds. “Corner office, a pay raise, it’s a pretty big deal.”
There is no corner office connected to the job offer I’m still waiting to hear about, but I understand what Sophie is trying to do. As much as Mom worries about me, it will be a lot easier for her to leave me behind if she thinks great things are happening for me in Serendipity Springs.
“Oh, Peter, I’m so proud of you,” Mom says.
“I am too,” Sophie says. “I’m planning a big party to celebrate as soon as we get the news.” A party is the last thing I’d want, and Sophie knows it, but she has my mother eating out of her hand right now, so I don’t protest.
