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Clothes are my armor, my shield against the world. And I couldn’t even be bothered suiting up. I don’t look like a cat lady or anything, but my usual flair is missing. I throw myself into my work—which everyone knows better than to interrupt me from—for the rest of the morning.
By mid afternoon I’ve powered through everything I needed to do today, and I’ve successfully avoided speaking to anyone. But now I’m dying for a caffeine hit. I drag myself out of my chair and make my way to the breakroom to fix a cup of coffee only to hear my name from inside before I enter.
“Fifty says Belle will stop fighting it and throw herself at him by the end of next week. This has been a long time coming,” Snow says.
My mouth pops open, those bitches are betting on me. Before I can bust in there and kick their asses, a much deeper voice than my sisters speaks up.
“Nah, she’s too stubborn. Give it month,” Kline says.
No freakin’ way, I can’t believe he’s in on it too.
This is ridiculous.
My hands curl into fists and I take a step forward only to stop dead in my tracks when my dad’s voice reaches my ears.
“Betting on my daughters would be bad parenting, so I’m not throwing any money in the ring.But…purely for hypothetical purposes, you understand, I’d—”
Oh hell no!
I storm into the room, fire blazing in my gaze as I attempt to scorch them all to ashes with my glare alone. “What is wrong with you people?”
Dad’s eyes widen and he clears his throat. “Oh, hey princess.”
“Don’t youprincessme,” I snap. “Were you seriously getting in on this?”
He shrugs and slides his big hands into the pockets of his worn jeans. “I feel like I should say no, but that would be a lie…”
I shake my head. “You lot are worse than Edie Belesky and her pack of gossiping old women.”
Dad looks appropriately chastened, but Snow, Kline, Ariel, and Meg, are clearly unrepentant if their bored expressions are anything to go by. And then I spot Doc, sitting on the couch, arms spread wide along the back, a cheery smile on his face.
“Oh come on! You too?” I ask.
Valentine’s dad grins back at me. “I thought you two would have given me grandbabies by now. You’re getting closer to your thirties every day. Me and your dad were shacked up and finished with the baby makin’ by your age.”
I snort. “And look how well that worked out for both of you.”
Doc arches a brow. “Got something you wanna say little girl?”
“Val and Christian have different moms, and you’re with a different woman every other week. No offence but you don’t exactly screamhappyto me.” Now would be a good time for me to stop talking. But I’ve never been good at that, especially when I’m tired and stressed.
“And Dad’s been miserable for the last twenty years. I’ll pass on the devastating heartbreak thank you very much. Val and I are friends, he doesn’t see me likethat, so you lot need to get that through your heads.” Before anyone can reply, I stalk from the room. Snatching my purse from the draw at my desk, I pause only to shut down my computers before I stride outside into the warm sunny day.
* * *
I’m sprawledon my couch eating ice-cream from the carton and watching old episodes of The Nanny when my doorbell chimes.
I’m not in the mood for people, so I ignore it as Fran struts across my big screen T.V. in an ensemble I would kill for. Whoever is outside doesn’t take the hint and begins banging on the door and repeatedly ringing the bell.
Glancing down at my sweats I groan. I am not fit for company. Val is the one and only person to seen me wear these. They may be designer, but they’re still sweats, and I have a reputation to uphold.
“Go away,” I call out.
“If you don’t let me in princess, I’ll let myself in,” my dad’s muffled voice responds through the closed door.
“I’m indecent,” I return, pausing my show.
He’s silent a beat, then calls back, “I’ll close my eyes.”
