Jenna let herself relax, actually enjoying the comfort. “Sorry.”
“Did you hear yourself? You’re stressed out. Your mom, well, she’s a perfectionist too, and she can drive me nuts though I love her. I love you too. Of course your mom tries to be strong around you and your sisters. She wants you to have a solid foundation. You have enough change coming in your life that home should be that stable and safe space.” Piper sighed. “And fine, I’ll admit I’m scared to put my trust in a man again. There. I’m weak. Does that make your life in any way better?”
Jenna sniffed. “A little.”
Piper snorted. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”
Jenna couldn’t help laughing at that. “S-sorry.”
“No, you’re not. And why are you so bothered about my social life? Who cares if I don’t date again?”
So far, Jenna and Simon had a hundred percent success rate in their matchmaking hobby, having set up both Simon’s mom and his aunt with men who loved them, as well as a few kids at school who’d needed the push. Piper was messing up their numbers.
Fortunately, Piper didn’t wait for an answer. “Whether or not you get the top scores on your tests isn’t as important as you think it is. Yes, I know, you’re involved in a bazillion activities at school, and colleges are impressed with that too. But Jenna, working so hard for a future that’s not yet there and being miserable while you do it makes no sense. All the preparation in the world means nothing if you burn out before you get there. Honey, you’re sixteen. Relax. Enjoy life. Go see a movie with Simon and your friends. Go skiing. Read a book, for heaven’s sake, and one that doesn’t have the letters S, A, or T on it.”
“You don’t understand.” Jenna wiped her eyes, embarrassed to have broken down when she hadn’t even realized she’d been on the edge.
“Why? Because I don’t have a law degree like your parents? I went to college, you know. And I funneled all that learning into being my own boss and running my own business. I sell more than anyone else in this town, and I do that by working my tail off. But honey, sometimes you need to stop and just smell the roses.”
“That’s so cliche.”
Piper laughed. “Yes, but that doesn’t make what I said any less true.”
Jenna bit her lip. “I guess. But maybe you should take your own advice.”
Piper frowned. “What does that mean?”
Adults could be so blind sometimes. And deaf, apparently, because Piper hadn’t heard a word she herself had just said.
“Oh never mind. I guess I’m just dealing with a lot of stress. I’m sorry I said you were like Mom.” To be honest, Jenna missed her mother. Though they had been clashing a lot lately, Jenna’s mom always made her laugh, and Jenna liked having a role model who “talked the talk and walked the walk,” one of Ali Mason’s favorite sayings.
“Since I love your mom, I’ll take that as a compliment.” Piper paused. “You know the two of you are only fighting lately because you’re both nervous about you growing up. Your mom is going to miss you when you leave, and you taking the SATs only reminds her that that day is coming. Same reason you’re so spazzy lately.”
“Hey.”
“Stress about college and boys and leaving your family is normal. And yes, I said leaving your family, because we both know you’re dying to be a little more independent living on your own.”
Jenna sighed. “That’s true.”
“But now that we had this little talk, maybe you can be less anxious and more grounded and realize you don’t have to avoid your own house anymore. I’m the good guy, the super cool aunt in this scenario. Besides, I was promised groovy teen parties if I looked after you while your family’s gone, and I feel like I’m getting ripped off.”
“Groovy?” Jenna laughed. “Fine. Bring Grant to Simon’s tomorrow and you’ll get the first of many ‘groovy’ parties to come.”
Piper grinned. “I’m in. But we’ll have to see if the West Wind wants to come.” She stroked Jenna’s hair. “You look better. Do you feel better having gotten all that off your chest?”
“Yeah.” Jenna sighed. “I feel like an idiot. I didn’t even realize I was so stressed, but I feel a lot better now.”
“I usually eat a lot of chocolate or scream into a pillow. You’d be amazed how therapeutic that feels.”
“Huh. I’ll try that next time.”
The door opened, and they both paused to look over at Grant. He toed off his boots and hung his jacket in the closet then held out a bouquet of flowers. “For the ladies in the house. Happy Thanksgiving.”
He walked in and frowned. “Hey, what’s going on? Are you okay, Jenna?”
Her red eyes must have given her away. “I’m better now that you’re here, Grant. Aunt Piper was beating on me, but now that you’re back, I’m saved.”
He looked from her to Piper. “Ah, okay.”
