“For the record, I’m not that fond of my dad either.”
I look at her in surprise. “You’re not?”
She shakes her head.
“I thought you said you were close.”
“Honestly? The truth is more like I wish we were.” She bites the inside of her lip. “Who wants to be the girl with dad baggage, right?” Her eyes meet mine, and the sadness there guts me. “My dad is not the easiest person to love…or even like.”
I reach out and lace my fingers with hers. “If he doesn’t worship the ground you walk on, he’s missing out.”
Her lips lift slightly. “Thanks, Dylan.” She rolls her eyes. “Ugh. I hate being that girl who longs for her dad’s approval. It’s so cliché.”
“It’s not cliché. It’s normal to feel that way.”
She sniffs and then looks at her watch.
When I see the time, I whistle. “Yeah, we should get to the airport, but…we should talk more about this family dynamic.” I sigh. “I can’t believe you’re a Granger.” I look at the floor and have to laugh.
“Wait. You still want to go with me?”
I look up to see her wide eyes. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I?”
She flings out her hand. “Because our dads hate each other. Because there’s been a rivalry between our families for longer than we’ve been alive,” she says, like it’s obvious. She looks at the picture of my family again. “Your mom was so beautiful. I’m really sorry she’s not here. She has kind eyes.”
I look at the picture and smile. “She was the kindest person I’ve ever known.”
“I saw my dad staring at a picture of your parents when I was in junior high. They were in the newspaper. I thought they were such beautiful people, and when I asked who they were, Dad said the woman was someone he used to know. And then he flung the paper across the room. When I asked my mom about it later, she filled me in on the great divide of the Whitmans versus the Grangers.”
“Yeah, the divide goes way, way back. I guess our grandfathers were good friends at one time. Did you know that?”
“No. My mom wasn’t sure why Dad hated them, just that he does…with a passion. Something business-related?”
“I don’t know the details very well either. Our grandfathers were best friends and in business together…and I think your grandpa said my grandpa stole his idea? I’m not sure. My dad hasn’t talked about it too much, so I don’t know the specifics. Did you know my sister is dating your cousin Milo?”
Her mouth drops. “I knew he was dating someone and happy, but no, I didn’t know that she’s a Whitman.”
“Yeah, so we’re not the first.” I grin.
“We’re different, though. Milo’s mom is so much more chill than my dad. Aunt Kathleen is wonderful. My dad, on the other hand…he would lose his mind if he knew we were even hanging out.”
“This whole thing—it’s a lot to wrap our heads around, for sure, Dahlia—especially given the fact that we share a sister.” I shake my head, eyes wide. “I mean, how weird is that? It’s insane. But?—”
I stop when her mouth parts, and she looks at me in growing confusion.
“What do you mean, ‘we share a sister’?” She frowns and takes a step back. “What are you talking about?”
We stare at each other for a few seconds.
“Fuck. Me. You don’t know about Ava,” I say under my breath in disbelief.
Fuck my life.
I put my hands on her shoulders.
“We have a lot to talk about. I’m so sorry, Dahlia. I…didn’t realize—” I shake my head. “We should go, so we don’t miss this flight.”
She nods, looking dazed.
