Page 60 of Not Mine To Love

“No. I was afraid if I left her, she would kill me. Literally.”

“Knowing Mom, that was a pretty valid fear.”

We both laughed. He patted my hand then squeezed it. “Lori just pulled up with the champagne. Want to join us?”

I shook my head. “I think I’ll make myself scarce. This is a special time. You guys go ahead and celebrate.”

I stood and kissed my dad on the forehead. “Congrats. Lori’s a lucky woman.”

I was heading down the walkway as Lori climbed out of her car.

“Hey! Where are you going? I have champagne,” she said, waving a bottle at me.

I couldn’t help but smile. Lori was going to make a nice addition to our family.

I hugged her, surprising her, and she gave a surprised laugh. “Welcome to the family, Lori. Thanks for putting up with my dad.”

“Ha! I should thank him for putting up with me.”

And with that, she made her way into the house.

I could see them embrace in front of the window. I couldn’t believe it. Dad found his own version of happily ever after.

I didn’t know where else to go, so I drove over to Dana’s place. She wasn’t home, and I was tempted to pop up where she worked, but I didn’t want to risk running into Douglas.

I didn’t want to go back home, and I didn’t want to bother Piper. Everyone was busy. I felt pretty alone. I figured moments like these were when people would call their mothers, but I totally didn’t want to do that. I wanted to feel better, not worse.

So I pulled up to a quaint bookshop and sat nosing through a magazine that I had no interest in buying. I didn’t pay attention to anything I was reading. I was just turning the pages. I must have fallen asleep because what seemed like a few seconds later, someone was shaking my shoulder.

“Sorry to wake you, but you were snoring really loud,” a teenager said with a bit of amusement in his eyes.

I looked around and saw people looking at me but pretending not to. I was sure I was blushing. “Sorry,” I murmured and walked away, not making eye contact with anyone.

Now that I had officially embarrassed myself, I was very much awake and feeling really put out. I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to bother Piper or Dana. And so like a sad character in a made for TV drama, I sat in my car and cried.

An hour later, I was done feeling sorry for myself so I drove past my dad’s house to see if Lori was still there. There was no sign of her, so I went inside calling Dad’s name as I did.

I noticed the note on the table and picked it up.

Went to Vegas to celebrate our engagement. See you in a few days! Dad.

“Oh man, I want to go to Vegas,” I said to no one in particular. I wasn’t done feeling sorry for myself.

I passed the next few days wearing a onesie that I normally only wore during Christmas season even though it wasn’t anytime near Christmas and it was hot outside. I did nothing but sit in front of the television and watch reality TV shows. I ate chips and drank soda. I ignored the calls and texts I was getting from Julius. I couldn’t talk to him right now. I didn’t know how I felt about us.

It was nightfall when I heard someone knocking on the door. I had fallen asleep again; it seemed to be a habit of mine. Maybe I was depressed.

I got up and stumbled toward the door. “Who is it?” I said groggily. I had heard from Dad and knew not to expect him for another few days or so. I looked through the peephole and saw no one standing there. It was too dark.

I fumbled with the light switch and finally was able to turn on the light. A knock sounded again, and a demanding voice said, “Open the door. I’m causing a scene.”

I opened the door only because I was in shock. What was she doing here?

Claire barged her way in and just started talking. “I can’t find her. She’s not answering my calls. She’s not at the house. She’s not at her apartment. She’s not at his house. I don’t know where she is. I need you to find her.”

My brain had to wrap itself around the fact that Claire was in my house and barking orders at me.

“How did you know where I lived?”