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“Also—no, he didn’t.” I cupped my mouth, realizing Tucker had tried to weasel his way out of taking responsibility for that pregnancy.
“Tried to.”
“Whoa.” My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. “Ballsy.”
“That was the next item on my list of bodily organs to destroy if he didn’t man up.”
“Are they together now?” I was thirsty for tidbits about Dylan’s life.
“Why don’t you ask Dylan…oh, that’s right.” He snapped his fingers, nodding. “Because she hates your guts.”
That was it. I’d had enough of his behavior.
“That she hates my guts, I understand completely, considering the circumstances.” I tossed my plate into the trash can under the tableclothed table in fury. It wasn’t like I had an appetite anyway. “But why do you loathe me? What did I ever do to you? I gave you the greatest gift of all.”
“Pretty sure you moved away because of college, not as a gesture of good faith.” He popped an olive into his mouth.
“I’m talking about my virginity, you swine.”
“That was a gift?” He squinted at a piece of Muenster cheese dangling on a toothpick with the utmost concentration. “What’s the return policy on that?”
Absentmindedly tidying up the table to do something with my hands, I continued, “I was wrong to do that to Dylan, but I didn’t hurt you in any way. Yet you’re the one who can’t stand me. Why?”
“I can stand you fine.”
“Is that why you’re being sarcastic with me?”
“I’m being sarcastic with everyone, Dot. Ain’t nothing special ’bout you.”
“You weren’t sarcastic with me back when I was a kid.”
“Spared you then.” He turned to tap my nose, his grin unbearably patronizing. “New rules now. You’re a commoner like everyone else.”
“What? Why?” Did he just Meghan Markle me?
“You really wanna know?”
“Yes!”
His jaw locked, and he appeared to be grinding his molars to dust. Still, through the tension, I detected some pensiveness too. Like he was contemplating giving me a real, non-sarcastic answer.
I held my breath. I was in dire need of some truth bombs. I was back in a small, close-knit town, unfamiliar and unfriendly, and didn’t want to make any more mistakes.
Row opened his mouth to say something. As soon as he did, my mother announced loud enough to wake the dead, “All right, I’m tired and my favorite K-drama is about to start. Everyone can leave now.” Pregnant silence. “Other than Calla, I suppose.”
It completely ruined my moment of truth with Row. He clamped his mouth shut, turning around and striding in her direction.
I chased him, refusing to admit defeat. “Hey, wait. What were you going to say?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Does to me!”
The human ocean of grievers parted for Row, but the looks the townsfolk gave him no longer oozed awe and admiration. Everyone seemed put off and wary by his presence. This made no sense. Did they not see what I saw? A disgustingly accomplished businessman? An artist? A sex icon? The celebrity who put Staindrop on the map?
“Marina.” Row planted a hand on Mom’s shoulder, kissing her cheek earnestly. “I’ll be around. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
“There’s something you can do for me.” I tapped his back persistently. “Answer my damn question.”
