Page 25 of Another Shot At Forever
“You’ve fallen for her all over again, haven’t you?” Dad sat back in his chair, arms folded. He’d always thought Giana and I’d end up married and was the one who lent me money to buy her that ring six years ago. Then he fussed at me for letting her go as if our split had been my decision alone.
“Yep,” I admitted, finishing off my beer. “And now she’s gone.”
* * *
One Week Later
“Princess tea party!” Scarlett skipped and hopped around the apartment, arms flailing in the air, elation cinched in her squeaky little voice.
“Only if you ask nicely.”
We were celebrating getting keys to our new home in the Hamptons the next day.
Takeout and a Disney movie sounded perfectly fine to me.
Scarlett, on the other hand, wanted pizza and a princess tea party, which made me want to heave.
Having a princess tea party required me tofullyparticipate.
Not only would I have to dress up like a fucking princess—wig, crown, and dress—but I’d also have to sleep in a makeshift princess fort she called The Castle.
“You sure you don’t want to watch Elsa and Anna? We can still order pizza or even your favorite orange chicken, fried rice, and spring rolls…” I singsonged the hell out of my suggestion, hoping it would entice her.
“Princess tea party!”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Giana
Fourteen days and I’d finally hopped off the anger train right onto acceptance.
I’d accepted that Reed Cortez turned out to be a lying jerk who led me to believe there’d be anuswhen all along he had someone. Someone whomissedhim. Someone wholovedhim.
Another slap to my heart, which barely had a beat.
I felt stupid for falling, foolish for being vulnerable enough to pour my soul, and silly for believing anyone could truly love meagain.
Noni and Stacy said I should’ve at least allowed him to explain; he wouldn’t have offered to be my plus-one unless he were single.
I chalked it up to his guilt.
Coming to my rescue this time was a botched attempt to clear his conscience of the past; getting me in bed was a bonus.
Still, acceptance put me on the road to recovery.
Today I got out of bed—okay,crawledout of bed, but still—showered, brushed my teeth, and even combed my freaking hair.
And as I sat on the couch, ready for Netflix and wine, my phone chirped: a message from my BFF.
Stacy: What are you doing?
Me: The question is, what are you doing? Isn’t it like 3 a.m. there?
Stacy: Yes. Working, but on a break.
Me: I showered today.??
Stacy: Good, because I found something that may interest you.
