Page 48 of Bad Reputation
“Emmaline…”
“I have to go, mother. I have somewhere to be. Thank you for lunch.” I turn and walk out of the dining room. I hope I look cool and collected, but inside I’m so outraged that I’m shaking.
I get outside of the restaurant, gulping lungfuls of fresh air. Usually I do a much better job of putting my hackles up, but today I let my mother really get my goat.
Once I pull myself together, I drive home in my coupe. The Range Rover that I had for a few days was nice, but it was just a loaner while my car was serviced. I zip my little car in and out of lanes, mindlessly driving toward home.
I try not to steam over the horrible stuff my mother said, really I do. I breathe deeply, I count to fifty, I do all the woo woo stuff that a therapist once recommended when dealing with my family. It doesn’t lessen the sting, though.
When I get home, I’m still so in my head that I almost pass by Evie and Maia. I back myself up, entering the kitchen to find the two of them sitting across from each other at the kitchen table. They’re each gripping a mug of tea.
Apparently Evie has a method when she soothes a girl.
Maia wipes away a tear, looking away from me. Evie looks at me, her expression perfectly blank.
“What’s going on in here?” I ask, curious.
“We’re just talking.” Evie sighs, sitting back in her chair.
I glance at Maia. “Boy stuff?”
Maia gives me a miserable nod. When she speaks, her highborn British accent is particularly strong. “Men suck.”
I can’t disagree with that. “You wanna get some takeout? A pizza, maybe?”
Evie lights up. “I’m starving.”
I smile at her. “How about I go change, and then I meet you two on the porch? All you have to do is decide on toppings.”
Evie grins and Maia gives me a watery smile. I scoot to my bedroom, changing into a denim miniskirt and an oversized blue tee. Then I grab my wallet and my phone and head to the porch.
Evie and Maia are curled up in the seats, so I take a seat on the floor.
“Are you two okay with that pizza place on Third? I dream of their breadsticks sometimes,” I say.
“Sure,” Maia says with a shrug.
Evie looks thoughtful. “I’m thinking goat cheese and sundried tomatoes…”
“Yes! And… anrtichokes!” Maia says.
“With a pesto base?” I ask.
“You know how much I love pesto,” Evie says.
“Yeah, sounds perfect.” Maia squints into the sunlight. “And breadsticks, because apparently this place has good ones.”
“Oooh, and Diet Coke if they have it!” Evie says.
“You guys don’t even know how much better you’re making my day right now,” I say, looking up the pizza place online. “After what a shitty morning I had, I’m living for this pizza order, I swear.”
“Don’t even get me started on having a bad morning,” Maia mutters. “Did I already mention that boys suck so hard?”
“What happened?” I ask, a little distracted by the phone in my hands.
“My boyfriend… well, he’s definitely an ex now, I guess. Anyway, he took a bribe from my family and ratted me out.” Maia looks like she might throw up.
“Whoa, about what?” I ask.