Page 8 of Every Bit As Perfect
“I’m not saying it’s not a good idea, I’m saying let’s talk again next week.”
“What is your hesitation?”I pushed.
My mom ran her hand over my hair.“Don’t you want something more, honey?”
I stiffened.“What do you mean?”
She pressed her lips together.“Work shouldn’t take up your whole life.”
My mouth fell open, shame blotching my cheeks with crimson.I sputtered, unable to come up with a response.
My dad looked on, his face pained.
“Is this about Paul?”I blurted.
Paul, the man I’d lived with for five years thinking he was my forever.The man I broke up with last Christmas after he informed me marriage was an antiquated institution.
As it turned out, I was a traditional kind of girl.
Mom scowled.“No.Good riddance to bad rubbish,” she clipped, then her voice softened.“I saw him in town-”
My hand flew up.“I don’t want to hear anything about him.”
“But—”
“Leave it alone, Lou,” my dad interrupted gruffly.
She looked at him, a question in her eyes.“Dan—"
He shook his head.
My blood iced in my veins.
I edged toward the door.“We’ll talk next week.”
Because whatever it was Mom saw?
I didn’t want to know.
3
Something Else Entirely
Waffleconeproductionbeganat 7AM on May 1stand continued clear through until September 30th.And so began the daily battle to deny myself that crunchy goodness.On Fridays, I indulged.
But after the unexpected meeting with Daire, the unproductive conversation with my parents, and that afternoon’s bridezilla, Friday came three days early.
My stomach bent on its mission, I walked into Mary Lou’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop and greeted the owner.“Anita!”
Her head whipped up, her usual smile gracing her face.“Harley!Is Tuesday the new Friday this week?”she teased.
“You know it.”
“Your usual?”
I scowled.“I don’t come here often enough to have a usual.”
She braced her hands on her round hips and pursed her lips.“Harley Bennett, you’ve been coming here every week since you were knee high.I think I know your usual.”
