“But it kind of is.” She shrugs. “The dinner is next Friday. Our fling will be over.”
Jeez. And to think I wanted more while she’s been counting the days? Anger chugs through my veins, along with another emotion I don’t want to put a name to. Don’t want to let myself feel. Anger is good. I’ll focus on that. The way she’s arranged this the way she wants. Well, the hell with that.
I step close enough that I can smell the sun and sweat of her skin. “Our fling doesn’t end until Friday at midnight.”
She frowns. “That’s not in the rules.”
“You said Friday. So Friday is mine. All of it. Guess that means I’ll be going to the dinner.”
“You’re not even going to be here. You’re leaving Friday.”
“I can leave after the dinner.”
“You want to go? To the dinner?” She pulls off her hat. My mother’s hat. “First of all, it’s formal, Anthony. There are rules and dress codes and political correctness. You would hate it.”
“So? It’s your turn to plan a date I’ll hate.”
“I’m serious. You have to rent a tuxedo. Make small talk and call people ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am’ and hop through every hoop you come to with a smile on your face.”
I jam my hands in my pockets to keep me from balling them into fists. “What’s wrong with me going as I am?”
“Because that’s not how these things work. It’s not how my life works.” Her eyes turn shiny. “This is the problem with us. If you were a part of my life, there would be lots of dinners. Lots of hoops. Is that what you want?”
“Maybe it is.” I kick my feet wide, fold my arms over my chest. “Invite me to the dinner.”
“Anthony.” She sighs, staring up at me with some kind of plea in her eyes. “Is this you trying to make some kind of a point?”
“This is me asking you to ask me to the dinner.” I pin her with my eyes, waiting for an answer I don’t want to hear. Because nothing has changed for her. I see that now. Nothing ever will. I’ll never be boyfriend material in her eyes. I just need her to admit it so I can get the hell out of here.
“Anthony. Please.”
I bite back a curse. “You can’t do it because you never wanted this to be more than temporary. After everything, I’m still just a distraction, aren’t I?”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s the truth. Guess I just needed the reminder.” I grab my hat. “You’re a stickler for the rules, so. Rule 3. Either one of us can end it at any time. Consider it over.”
“Anthony.” Emotions swirl in the depths of her eyes, shadows I can’t read.
Just then, the door opens. Sunlight floods in. I turn, blinking hard as if it’s the sudden brightness that’s making my eyes burn.
Amber stands in the door, looking confused. “Anthony? Mai?”
“We were just talking.” I grab my hat and stride to the door, pausing to look back at Mai. “We’re all done now.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mai
“Mai, wait a moment.”
I pause with my hand on the front door handle. Mom and Dad are sitting in the living room, lamps on over their leather chairs, books in their laps. Dad pulls off his readers. “I need to finalize our number for the fundraising dinner. Have you asked Grant?”
I sigh. Loudly. “No, Dad. Let’s just go the four of us.”
“Mai.” It’s a plea from Mom, who is looking at me as if her entire happiness and the future of the planet rests in my arms. Or maybe on my shoulders. That’s how it feels.
“Just as a friend,” Mom adds. “A family friend. But it would be nice coming from you.”
“And think of Grant,” Dad says. “He’ll have an opportunity to do some networking.”
Here they are—all the reasons stacked one on top of the other. Rational. Logical. Impossible to argue. If I do argue, there will be more reasons. There are always more. Still, I hesitate.
“Think it through, Mai.” I nearly groan at the words that always come in one form or another. Dad folds his glasses. “It seems like an easy decision. Unless there is a reason why you don’t want to invite him?”
“Is there something we should know?” Mom adds.
There was. This morning. And now? I can’t explain that to invite Grant would be betraying a guy I’m not even flinging with anymore. “No. Nothing you should know.”
Mom smiles. “Then give him a call.”
“I’ll call him tomorrow. I’m on my way out.”
“It won’t take but a few minutes, and even though Grant owns his own tuxedo, he still needs time to plan.”
“Josie is waiting, Mom.”
“Josie can wait five minutes.”
They both continue to stare.
I clench my fists and run through all the curse words I never use. Then I pull out my phone and dial. I’m hoping for voicemail.
Grant answers. “Hey, Mai.”
“Hey. So.” I look at my parents. “Sorry this is so last minute. I’m with my mom and dad. We were wondering if you wanted to come with us to the Community Cares fundraiser? It’s a black tie. Friday night. Ethan will be there, too.”
“Yeah. Sure.” I hear the smile in his voice. “I’d love to.”
“Okay. Good. Great.” I give Mom and Dad a thumbs up. “I’ll text you the invite with all the details.”
When I hang up, Mom shakes her head.
“What?”
“It wasn’t a very personal invitation.”
I bite my lip because it’s that or scream. “I invited him. Isn’t that the point? Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“We hope it’s what you want, too,” Dad says.
I force a smile. “Yep. It’s going to be great. And now you know so you can finalize the numbers.”
Dad smiles as he reclines in his chair again. “I already confirmed us for five.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Anthony
“The Rogue River.”
Cooper gives me a surprised look as I wedge the car into a spot a few houses down from Jason’s. The street’s already full of cars for the pool party. The last thing I’m in the mood for is a party, but I’m glad for the distraction. Glad to hang out with the guys. With Cooper. Even when he’s sporting god-awful Bugs Bunny swim trunks and pink flip-flops.