Page 5 of Tangled Kisses
At first, I thought Piper was jealous. Turns out, she was just concerned.
So, why did I reconcile with Vander after he admitted to several—as inwaymore than one—affairs? Because he feigned regret, and honestly, I was too tired to start over again. I’d given the man four years of my life at that point, and the idea of reentering the dating pool was painful, to say the least.
Especially when you’re past thirty-five. Trust me, dating doesn’t get easier with experience or age.
But why did I accept Vander’s proposal of marriage six months later? Because I was thirty-seven, and that’s what you’re supposed to do, right? Get married, settle down, white picket fence, two-and-a-half kids. That’s the definition of success, at least in my family.
And Ialwaystoed the line where my family was concerned.
And for once, they were giddy. My parents, who never fussed over me the way they did my sister, beamed like I’d won them the lottery. They loved the concept of Hamptons parties and country club dinners, the promise of box seats at concerts, the invitations with Vander’s last name embossed in gold. I thought maybe,finally, I was giving them something to be proud of.
The perfect daughter. The perfect engagement.
Maybe I was still trying to overcompensate. To prove adopting me hadn’t been a mistake. That I belonged.
So, I accepted his offer with less than stellar enthusiasm and proceeded to plan my wedding.
Except instead of excitement, I was petrified. Overwhelmed. Depressed. Miserable.
Which culminated today in a sea of broken dishes at the overpriced, upscale department store. In that moment, I realized I’d rather beat Vander over the head with every place setting on display than spend another minute as his little woman.
So, I left.
And here we are.
My phone buzzes with another call, and I cringe when I glance at the screen. “Vander’s calling. I guess he’s figured out I’m not coming back. What the hell am I supposed to do?”
Of all people, why am I asking my sister? She’s never lived by the rules. Piper tossed convention out with her first bra and never looked back. To her, life’s about following your gut, no matter how messy the fallout.
She chuckles, the sound bordering on maniacal. “I’m tempted to call the man myself and break the happy news about your engagement.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“Fine. Then here’s my answer—go to your apartment, pack enough for a few months, and drive here.”
She makes it sound so simple.
“Where is here?”
“To me. It’s kismet, Reese, because an opening for a nurse just became available at my place of employment. All you have to do is say the word, and I’ll tell Capri that we have a replacement.”
My mind reels at the bevy of information flowing past my sister’s lips. “I can’t just up and leave my life, Piper.”
“You just did.”
Those three words hit with the ferocity of a fist. She’s right. For all intents and purposes, I walked away from the most important part of my future with nary a care for the outcome.
“Look. It’s a temporary position right now since the other nurse had a family situation. But it gives you time to think and reflect on what you want from your life. Besides, there’s quite a view here.”
“I’m supposed to start a new job next week.” I mutter the words as a headache takes up residence in my skull.
It’s a position Vander’s mother bestowed on me like some grand gift—glitzy, glamorous, and everything I don’t want. Not that my wishes mattered in the slightest.
The idea that I’m a nurse has never sat well with the Hale family. Nursing is a fine and noble field—just not for their inner circle. This new job looked elegant enough to avoid embarrassing their country club friends, and in their world, appearances are the only currency that matters.
Another snort echoes over the line. “Don’t you sound excited?”
“Nothing in my life is exciting. I leave that for you, remember?” Sometimes I envy Piper’s blasé attitude toward rules, her refusal to live by anyone else’s expectations. She’s always been braver than me.
