Vivie doesn’t seem to notice. Instead, she asks Finley, “What textures do you like?”
“Soft ones,” she says.
Vivie tells her, “I like rough ones.” Then she looks down at her hands. My parents must have washed and bandaged them for her. “Except for today. I tried to calm myself down with some sandpaper.”
“Thomas mentioned you liked rough textures.” Finley releases a full body shiver.
My parents have been sitting and watching this exchange like they’re witnessing a miracle. My mom finally tells Finley, “I’m glad you and Thomas found each other. You are a lovely addition to our family, Finley.”
I nearly choke on my cashew chicken. Not because my mom is being nice, but more because it seems like she already assumes Finley and I are an item. And with the way Finley is treating me, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Finley must interpret her words this way as well, because she’s quick to say, “Thomas and I are only friends.”
Opening his supper, my dad says, “Whatever you are, we’re very happy you’re here.”
Finley looks like she wants to cry, and she’s not the only one.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
FINLEY
I like Thomas’s family a lot. Too bad he’s a big, fat, thick-haired liar. I know he said he could explain why he wasn’t at the hospital like he claimed he was, but I don’t see the point in hearing him out. In my world you’re either a liar or you aren’t. There is no in between.
After we eat, Thomas’s parents excuse themselves to go upstairs to change. I’m relieved Vivie doesn’t do the same. But then Thomas asks his sister, “Are you ready to witness my April Fool’s prank on Mom and Dad?”
Vivie claps her hands together excitedly. “Yes! That would be the perfect ending to this stupid day. Although, if it’s too mean, maybe it will be more than Mom and Dad can handle.”
“I think you should wait,” I tell him. “Your parents are tired. You should let them recover first.” As mad as I am at Thomas, I really do like his parents and I don’t relish the idea of causing them more distress. Also, I’m no longer sure I want to bear witness to Thomas’s shame.
“I think they’re recovered enough,” he tells me. “Plus, this way, they’ll have a whole week to get over it before they go home.”
“They are pretty resilient,” Vivienne says. “Go ahead and do it.” She looks positively thrilled.
Thomas stands up and walks to the staircase. Then he calls up, “Mom, Dad, come on down! I have a surprise.”
“Coming,” his dad shouts back.
When his parents join us again, they’re both in their pajamas. Morgan says, “I don’t usually entertain like this, but it’s been an exhausting day.”
“If I’d brought my jammies with me,” I tell her, “I’d put them on, too. You look very comfortable.”
Sitting down on the couch next to his wife, Jason says, “Now, what’s this surprise you have for us?”
Thomas walks over to the side table and picks up the bag containing the calendar. Then he comes back into the room. “What Finley and I didn’t tell you is that we’ve been working on a special project together.”
His parents look at us expectantly. A pang of doubt stabs at me, but I brush it away.Thomas deserves this.He tells them, “In fact, it’s gone so well, I’ve been offered a new opportunity.”
Both of his parents look confused. Handing the bag to his mother, Thomas says, “Open it up and see.”
Morgan moves toward the edge of the couch and gingerly takes bag. Then she pulls out the calendar and simply stares.
“What do you think?” Thomas asks excitedly.
Her expression shifts rapidly. Oh yeah, she’s mortified. Which is exactly what I wanted her to be.
Thomas tells her, “Finley has shown that around to a few contacts and I’ve been offered a modeling job. I’m going to take a hiatus from work and do it.”
Thomas’s dad, who’s also looking, asks, “Are they hiring you to play the village idiot?”
