Page 106 of Manhattan Bossholes

He said it jokingly because two fragrance launches within a few weeks of each other was unheard of.

“Well, you should know that they both set new records,” I replied. “Evermore is not only our top-selling fragrance, it beat the launch numbers for every new fragrance in the past five years. I guess Amanda really was right about there being no such thing as bad press.”

I hated even referring to the publicity that might’ve fueled Evermore’s rise to the top.

“And what about Perpetual?” he asked.

I glanced at Piper, and she met my gaze with a smile. “It’s right on the heels of Evermore. An absolute knockout. We had to rush the expansion lines into production because people can’t get enough of it. So we’re good to go with the lotions and oils, and the shower gel and soap will be out next week.”

“I’m not at all surprised,” he replied proudly. “Just goes to show what’s possible when you set your mind to something. Never give up, that’s what I say!”

I studied my father. His tone made it clear that there was a subtext to what he was saying.

“Dad, what’s going on?”

He smiled, then his eyes drifted behind me and went wide. “Oh, there she is!”

I turned, already bracing myself for disappointment over the idea that our time together was about to be ruined by a stranger trying too hard to make me like her. When I saw the woman striding toward us, I froze. It was impossible.

“Mom?” I gasped.

Piper’s voice cut through the haze, full of surprise. “That’s your mother?”

My dad leapt out of his chair and jogged over to meet her. They embraced, and when he pulled away, he grasped her arms and said something I couldn’t hear.

I followed behind him as confusion swirled inside of me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as she pulled me into a tight hug.

“Visiting my favorite people,” she laughed.

We hugged for a long time. Her signature lily of the valley scent, a perfume created for her by my father called Beauty, triggered a thousand sense-memories. I hadn’t seen her in person in months. I finally pulled away, ready to introduce Piper, but I didn’t get the chance.

“I’m Kathleen—I’ve heard so much about you,” my mom gushed as they embraced. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you!”

My heart filled to overflowing watching them together. I’d been looking forward to the moment, and seeing it live was even better than I could’ve imagined.

“I’m…I’m in shock,” I admitted as we all sat down. “What exactly is happening here?”

“Family,” my mom replied.

“Yeah, but…” I gestured between my parents.

“I told you, we’ve been talking,” my father began. “And my scare with the bike messenger got me thinking about what really matters in life. I wasn’t sure if your mom would be open to us trying again, but I had to try, so⁠—”

“He wooed the hell out of me,” she interrupted with a laugh. “I didn’t have much of a choice.”

Piper glanced at me across the table and winked.

“When did you get into town?” I asked.

“Last night,” she blushed as she locked eyes with my dad. “We had a lot to talk about. To make sure that this time was it for both of us.”

“But talking wasn’t all we did!”

Piper threw her head back, laughing hard.

“Dad, come on,” I complained, sounding like I was fifteen again.