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I sputtered and tried to remind her that he dumped me, but she barreled ahead

"You were supposed to coet a sensible, useful degree and settle down here after graduation"

There was an edge of desperation to her voice as she flung out these reminders Before I could stopfrom your plan doesn’t mean I’m like him, you know It doesn’t hter You can still love me"

Silence met my outburst and for a moment I wondered if we had been disconnected I al up that ine her face Was she sitting at the kitchen table or in her bedrooan in carefullythis was it We were finally going to have that talk--address the elephant in the room that happened to be e that was the antithesis of hiust third No ifs, ands, or buts about it Do you understand?"

My fingers tightened around the phone until my knuckles ached I was a fool to ever think ould have a conversation of substance "Yes I understand"

A few ed and the call ended A frustrated scream welled up from my lips I tossed the phone down on the futon, watched as it bounced twice and then clattered to the floor Like it was soet away from me

She’d never understand She didn’t want to I’d be what she wanted or I could kiss good-bye her support Financially Emotionally If I wanted her love and approval, I had to live the life of her choosing

I pressedeyes I hated her right thenhated an had said I was buried away in o Well Except for when I ith hi off the voice innified

I hated that voice I hated that ut I scra half my body off the futon, I snatched it froht it was or her offer

My fingers flew over the keys, punching in just a feords, ia that Moone At least for tonight anyway

Me: Hey, A Can I still coht???

Chapter 18

ANNIE HADN’T BEEN KIDDING Pillared and eggshell white with a wide veranda that faced an infinite stretch of green lawn, the house was so out of Better Homes and Gardens Jas with colorful buds swayed in the evening breeze It was elegance bordering on decadence The kind of place I i shows

All the houses on the street sat on big lots, pro a semblance of privacy Several cars were already parked in the large horseshoe drive Annie parked on the street and alked past the parked vehicles, our heels clicking in unison I couldn’t stop an’s Bronco I didn’t see it, but I also didn’t knohat Rachel drove

At the front door, Annie pushed the bell, sliding lance "You look hot"