Chapter 12
The next day when I landed at New York’s airport, of all the fucking luck, I ran straight into Tanner’s group returning from their trip.
I’d
heard they planned to be gone for a month, but apparently they’d cut it short by two weeks.[]
When our eyes met. Tanner looked like he’d seen a ghost.[]
Even Harper stood there with her mouth hanging open.
After the world’s most awkward staring contest, Tanner finally snapped out of it as I started to leave and jogged over.
“Calista, you’re flying back today too?
The shock in his eyes was unmistakable, and he couldn’t filter his thoughts fast enough
“I almost didn’t recognize you just now, I had no idea you could look like… damn, you look incredible.”
“Thanks.”
was the first time Tanner and I had been apart for longer than a week.
But as reality hit me, I realized something liberating–it didn’t fucking matter at all.|
e with a mixture of fury and
I had zero interest in playing catch–up. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the exit, my heart pounding vindication.
Mom was waiting at arrivals, and I speed–walked toward her like my life depended on it.
She’d just taken my luggage when Tanner’s voice called out behind us.
The audacity of this guy–he’d actually followed me.
Calista, why are you running away like that?”
“Hey, Mrs. Marlowe. Calista, you must’ve gotten your acceptance letter too, right? My parents are throwing me this whole celebration thing “||
party? My
My parents already booked the country club.“]
“Oh, and didn’t we talk about our families doing a joint par
Mom didn’t respond right away.
She glanced at me–clearly pissed off and staying silent–then stepped in to handle it with her trademark diplomacy.
“Tanner, we’ve decided against throwing Calista a party.”
“Tin drowning at work, her grandmother’s in the hospital, and we just can’t manage it right now. We’ll do something quiet with family when things calm down.”
“Please thank your parents for thinking of us though
Mom’s explanation was perfectly gracious, but I could hear the ice underneath
She only knew the surface level–that Tanner and I had fought and that he’d completely switched his college plans. I hadn’t filled her in on the gory details, but she was clearly unimpressed with his life choices
Tanner rubbed his nose awkwardly and asked about Grandma’s condition
Mom gave vague answers and politely declined his offer to share a ride home, then basically dragged me away before I could say something I’d regret
At the hospital, I learned that Grandma needed surgery at a specialist facility in Washington DC, and everything was already arranged
I immediately volunteered to go with my aunt to help care for her.
Ever since Dad passed eight years ago, Mom had been running the company solo and was completely burned out
Since I couldn’t contribute much to the business anyway, spending my last bit of summer break doing something actually meaningful
felt right.
That same day, I flew to D.C. with Grandma.[]
Which meant I obviously missed Tanner’s big celebration.
And honestly? I’d never felt more relieved about missing a party in my life.
