Ever.
And now I’m having to fake smiles as Aunt Zinnia and I walk the red carpet at the world premiere ofWhen Violets Bloom, a beautiful coming-of-age story that I was thrilled to be asked to write three original songs for, and in which Geofferson unfortunately has a small role.
“You’re carrying yourself entirely too stiffly,” Aunt Zinnia murmurs through a fake smile of her own.
“I’m not talking to you,” I murmur back while I wave to Avery Hart across the way.
“The press will smell the blood.”
I ignore her and pose for the cameras.
Cooper’s supposed to be next to me, but instead, he’s sitting at my house with an ice pack to his forehead while I hope my cat doesn’t try to dig into his pants.
Hashtag is very fond of dangly toys.
If he figures out where Cooper’s hiding his now that the cat knows that Cooperhasdangly toys, the rest of this weekend will only get worse.
“Waverly, where’s your new boyfriend?” someone calls.
“She doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Aunt Zinnia replies before I can open my mouth.
“I am so furious with you,” I manage to say out of the corner of my widely smiling mouth, sincerely hoping corner-talking will prevent the press from reading my lips.
“This is best and you know it.”
Swear to god, if she’s having Cooper evicted from my house while I’m here, I will go on strike.
“Stay. Out. Of. My. Love. Life.”
“Waverly. Even if the man was serious about you, neither of you have time for each other.”
“I’ve waited eight years. What’s another eight until he retires? And it’s not like I’m ever having children.Ever. It was bad enough growing up as Evelyn Sweet’s daughter. Do you have any idea what it would be like for my kids to beWaverlySweet’s daughter?”
“Now you’re being ridiculous.”
We make it inside the theater, and I drop the smile as soon as there’s no press watching me.
“Where are you going?” Aunt Zinnia asks me.
“To get a drink.”
Kiva cuts her off when she tries to follow me, and since clearly, I’m safe from the danger that is Cooper Rock here, Aunt Zinnia lets me go without fuss.
Or maybe she knows I am absolutely in throw-down mode and Iwillmake a scene, regardless of what anyone says about me later.
We’ve had our ups and downs. She’s done countless amazing things for me.
But I’m still furious enough that the chocolate martini I order at the premiere’s bar is probably a terrible idea.
Alcohol and my stomach don’t go well together.
AndI don’t care.
Which is why I slam the first one right there at the bar and ask for a second.
Kiva doesn’t so much as twitch a single eyelash, but she does slip her arm into mine as I head into the theater lobby.
“She better be on the other end of the aisle,” I tell Kiva.
