“The Stapletons loaned us theirs. He was delightful.” Mom looked over her shoulder, her eyes lighting up. “Hey, you remember them, right? They have a son who’s a couple of years older than you. His name’s Riley.”
I scanned my memory. I vaguely remembered a guy a few years older than me at Dad’s last gala, but to be honest, most of those events passed in a blur. “Blond hair, green eyes, and tall?”
“Mmhm.” She smiled even bigger. “You remember him.”
“Yeah, sure.” I shrugged. “He seemed nice enough.”
“Well, he wants to go sailing with you over the summer break.” Mom stepped forward in the line a little bit more. “They visited the night of the disaster, and we got to talking about you. You’ll never believe it, but he goes to school upstate, near San Francisco.”
I tensed. Why hadn’t I realized where this was going? “Mom…”
“Oh relax, dear.” She patted my arm. “It’s a sailing expedition, not a betrothal.”
I choked on a laugh. “I know, but I’m not looking for a boyfriend right now.” Because I already have one. “Besides, why would he be thinking about taking me out? He doesn’t even really know me.”
“Your father and his are in the same political party, as you know, so it’s an advantageous move for both families.” She sighed and hugged the clothes tighter to her chest. “You do know at one point, you’ll have to come home and play the game. Be the daughter your father needs you to be. Right?”
I stiffened and swallowed hard. In other words, I was expected to come home and marry a Stapleton like a good little girl. Yeah. That wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t need a Stapleton. I had a Coram. This was exactly what Finn had been worried about. And I’d laughed it off, as if it didn’t matter and would never come into play.
I’d been wrong. It did matter. Finn was smart to plan ahead.
“Mom, I’m not marrying someone to further Dad’s career,” I said, my voice low. “I love you, and I love him, but no.”
“You’re not going to marry a man for your father. That’s not what I meant.” She shrugged. “But you’ll marry someone who will be a benefit to the family, I’m sure. Someone who is worthy of standing beside a Wallington. You should take more pride in who you are.”
“I have plenty of pride.” I crossed my arms. “But you have too much. We’re no different than anyone else.”
“I didn’t say we were. You’re putting words in my mouth.” Mom sighed. “It’s hard to see the big picture when you’re so young.” She reached out and squeezed my arm, her eyes kind, even though her words made me want to scream. “You have time. There’s no rush for you to accept this all right here.”
I clenched my teeth. I wouldn’t be accepting it ever. “Mom.”
“It’s about more than what we want out of life. There’s your father’s career, the presidential campaign, the opportunities…you’re just too young to see that.” Mom dropped her arm. “Looks like it’s my turn to pay.”
Mom stepped forward and chatted up the store employee, acting for all the world as if she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on me and walked away. I fidgeted and looked over my shoulder. Dad was out there talking to the suits, but still no Finn.
Not able to stand it another second, I pulled out my phone and texted him. Everything okay, Susan?
My phone buzzed and my heart sped up. Yeah, I’m fine. What are you up to?
I peeked at Mom, making sure she wasn’t watching me. Luckily, she was too busy chatting. Shopping with my mom.
Oh boy. Sounds…fun? Okay. I can’t lie. Not really. You know I’m not much of a shopper.
I held back a smile. Yeah, I know.
Are you going to buy something pretty?
I grinned. Like…?
I don’t know. A skirt for church? Maybe we could share it.
I snorted, then glanced up cautiously. Mom was almost finished. Uh-oh. We’re done paying. I have to go.
Okay. Hey, the sun is finally shining.
I looked out the window and smiled. It really is.
I shoved my phone back in my pocket just in time for Mom to stop yakking to the cashier. She looked at me, taking in my flushed cheeks more than likely. She arched a dainty brow. “What were you doing, dear?” she asked.
I scrambled for something to say and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Looking at used cars.”
“Cars?” Mom blinked at me. “Do you want one?”
I nodded frantically, wiping my sweaty palms on my thighs. “Yeah, someday. Something inexpensive to get around in, you know? I spend a lot in cab fare.”
“Okay.” She shrugged. “Tell your father. He’ll buy you one.”
“I will.” Not. If I told him, he’d buy me some expensive, top-of-the-line car. I wanted something old and rusty. Nothing fancy. I cleared my throat, ready to change the subject. “By the way, how’s your friend Mary? The one who went for surgery on Monday when we talked?”
“Oh, I think she’s better.”
I nodded, letting her walk in front of me and following her closely. “How do you know? Did you go see her again?”
“No. She’s back on our Words With Friends game as of an hour ago.” Mom looked back at me and shrugged. “She can’t play if she’s not feeling better, so she must be fine.”
I choked on a laugh. “Uh…yeah. I guess so.”
I followed her out the door, my attention focused on Dad. I looked for any signs of anger or frustration or knowledge, but he just smiled at me and hugged Mom. When he hugged me, kissing the top of my head like he always did, I wanted to shake him and ask him where Finn was. I couldn’t.
I had to play the game.
“Where have you been?” I asked him.
I looked up at him like I used to do when I was a little girl, with my chin resting on his chest. It took me back to a time when I’d thought he could do no wrong. I’d thought he was perfect back then. Invincible. How naïve I’d been. He was a good man. He really was. But he had flaws like the rest of us.
“You weren’t done until three and I knew your mother wanted to go shopping with you like old times.” He eyed the bags in my hands and Mom’s. “Looks like you were both successful.”
“Of course we were,” Mom said, fluffing her light red hair. “But where’d you run off to all day, Hugh?”
“Oh, you know, taking care of some business.” Dad averted his eyes and let go of me, pressing his lips together. His dark brown hair was immaculately in place, and he was clean-shaven. If he smiled, he’d flash those famous dimples that made all the women in America swoon. He could probably win the campaign with those two assets alone. “I’m starving. You two ready to eat something?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
“Absolutely,” Mom said.
He grinned, his dimples popping out. “All right. Off we go, the fearsome threesome.”
I didn’t follow him as he walked, and it took him all of two seconds to notice. When he turned to me with a curious expression, I gave him a level look. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have had the courage to stand up to him like this, but I’d changed. Finn had shown me how life was supposed to be, and it wasn’t this. “Lose the suits. I’m not ruining my cover because you’re scared we’ll be attacked at the restaurant.”
If Finn still followed us, Dad wouldn’t even hesitate to send the men packing. He would shrug and tell them to go eat. “You know I can’t do that.”