Page 19 of The Fun Part
“Of course Harper,” Mom says. “She’s happily single like you. This would just affirm that. You are happily single, aren’t you?”
I stiffen, sensing dangerous territory. When Mom gets started on my single status, I throw up a wall. “Yes, of course. Absolutely.”
I pour more wine for Mom and then myself. “Speaking of add-ons at work, we have this situation with two clients that could be a conflict of interest. Owen thinks we should drop one of them, but I say why lose the revenue? There has to be a workaround.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure out an equitable solution,” Mom says. “I have faith in you.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Kick some ass,” Dad says.
“Josh!” Mom exclaims. She doesn’t like curse words, proclaiming them unladylike. Her mom really did a number on her with all the lady rules. I adapt them to suit myself.
The corner of Dad’s mouth curls up. “What?”
“Her work isn’t a karate studio, and we don’t say that word at dinner.”
Dad stifles a laugh. He made sure we were all trained blackbelts because he wanted us to kick ass if we needed to. Mom never made it past yellow belt (the first level up) because she didn’t like sparring with other people. She worried she’d hurt them. Ha. More like the other way around.
“I believe in you, too,” Dad says to me. Then he points to Cooper, Finn, and Rowan in turn. “All of you.”
We thank him. He surprises you sometimes with sweetness.
Mom beams. “Me too. All of you. Mackenzie, I could really use your help with the Clover Park Spring Fair this year. We’ve got a meeting about it with the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Do you think you could make time for it?”
My business is technically part of the Chamber of Commerce, but we don’t sell direct to the public. It’s not exactly a great use of our resources.
“We’re trying to get the younger generation more involved,” she says. “The town’s future is in your hands. Cooper and Rowan will be there.”
Guilt weighs me down—Mom guilt, the future of the town I love, Rowan, the newcomer, jumping in to help, which makes me look bad if I don’t. How many things am I going to sign up for because Rowan is doing it? It’s not like she can ever take my place as favorite (and only) daughter. Right? Right?!
“I’ll be there,” I say, pasting on a smile.
Mom beams. “Excellent. This’ll be fun.”
6
I step into the Clover Park Chamber of Commerce meeting and notice two things at once—Mom gesturing for me to take the seat next to her, and Cal sitting across from her. He seems relaxed and comfortable at what must be his first meeting.Proceed carefully. I can’t let on that Cal and I had a small fling.
That I can’t stop thinking about.
I smile and greet everyone, but most of them don’t even notice because they’re already arguing about the spring fair, and the meeting hasn’t even officially started yet. There’s Rachel and Shane O’Hare, who own the book store, café, and ice-cream place in town; Barry Furnukle, the fro-yo shop owner; Tino Garcia, the pizzeria owner; Fran Wilson, the toy store owner; and Armand, the beauty salon owner. Armand is his last name, and he won’t share his first name, so don’t ask. I bet it’s something like Lionel or George and it doesn’t go with his cool salon vibe.
Rowan and Cooper aren’t here like Mom said they’d be. I feel duped.
Cal’s gaze collides with mine, a hint of a smile playing over his lips. My heart thumps harder. He stands, walking over to the side table for coffee.
I drop into the seat next to Mom and whisper, “Where’s Cooper and Rowan?”
“Coop had to take a shift at Happy Endings, and Rowan stayed late to wrap up our year-end accounting. She’s a wizard with numbers and marketing. I don’t know how I got by without her.”
I’m a wizard with numbers and marketing. A small sting of betrayal tinges my voice. “I told you I’d take a look at your accounting. I have a degree in it.”
She pats my arm. “You’ve got your own business to take care of.”
Did not meet expectations.
I shift my attention, watching Cal as he adds creamer to his coffee, takes a sip, and then adds more.
