There’s nothing like the support of good friends. “Then he accused me of creating some kind of health crisis. He’s claiming he’s gluten intolerant.” I roll my eyes.
“He’s such a piece of work.” Yuna purses her lips. “And I can’t believe he’s threatening to raise your rent by so much.”
“He thinks he can intimidate me, which is ridiculous.” I cock my hips as I consider how short and pathetic he is. “But I do hate the idea of having to move to another location. I’m in the best place I could be right now.”
“Then don’t. I’ll cover the increase,” Yuna says.
The offer, given so quickly, is kind of stunning. But at the same time I should’ve expected her to want to help. Yuna can never sit by when one of her friends is in trouble. Still… “Thank you. But no, I can’t let you do that.”
She shrugs. “It really isn’t that much money.”
“Yuna’s right.” Ivy pats my forearm gently. “You shouldn’t have to move just because your landlord is a creep.”
“Yeah, but it’s the principle of the thing. I don’t want him profiting unjustly.” I’d rather give the money to TJ to fortify my home as he sees fit.
“But you shouldn’t have to moveunjustly,either.” Ivy’s tone is soothing—and slightly coaxing. “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.”
Yuna drums on the countertop. “Wish I could find a way to force him to sell the building to me. Then you could have a lifetime of free rent and I could have a lifetime of free cake. Seems like a fair trade.”
I laugh. It’s so great to have people on my side. I never had close friends as a child because we had to move constantly for Dad’s jobs.
“Actually, Tony tried. But Floyd won’t sell. He doesn’t have anything else left.”
Yuna shakes her fist. “I want to kick him where it hurts. Then hereallywon’t have anything left!”
“Target’s too small, so the chances of you missing are high,” I say. “I’d hate for you to kick into thin air and pull something.”
“What’s too small? We can have TJ take care of it if somebody’s bothering you,” Tony says as he walks into the kitchen. He puts a hand on Ivy’s shoulder and kisses her.
“Welcome home,” Ivy says at the same time Katherine runs over, her arms stretched upward. “Daddy!”
Laughing, he picks her up as though she weighs nothing. Lilian dashes over as well, and he swings her up, making her giggle.
You wouldn’t think a billionaire could be unhappy. But when I first met Tony, that’s what he was: the most miserable looking rich guy on the planet. But now his eyes are full of laughter, shining with adoration for his wife and children. And Yuna’s kids too, who he treats as his own niece and nephew. He doesn’t care that the kids are touching his four-figure shirt and pants with sticky fingers. Or that Katherine just grabbed his hair.
Wistfulness swells. If I’d touched my dad’s tie with sticky hands, he would’ve pulled away with a disapproving frown. He hated any possibility of not looking his best. Although I’m an adult now, there’s a little girl inside who wishes I’d had a better father, one who putmefirst, not his hair or clothes.
“Where are Declan and the boys?” Yuna asks.
“Getting ice cream,” Tony says, his eyes stretching comically upward as Katherine tugs on his hair.
“What aboutus?” Lilian whines.
“That’s why I’m here! To take you out for ice cream,” Tony says.
“Yay! Uncle Tony, you’re the best!”
“Daddy, I love you!”
He smiles like he’s just inherited the world. “Let’s go get changed real fast first, okay? Have fun, ladies!” he calls out as he carries the girls away.
“Thanks, love!”
The vibrancy sizzling in the air vanishes, leaving nothing but peace and silence. “Wow,” I say.
“Yeah. Whirlwind of energy. I love them, but I also enjoy my adult-only time.” Yuna sips her wine.
But I already miss the boundless vigor of the children. I sigh with longing.
