Resisting Perfection (The Perfection Series Book 2) (12 page)

Chapter Eight

Piper

“Surprise!” I scream, while walking in the front door of my childhood home. I always told everyone it was my childhood home even though we didn’t move in until Phoebe and I were teenagers. My mother’s parents lived here but we were here just as much as we were at home. In fact, we had our own rooms here. When my parents took over the house when my grandparents moved, Phoebe and I didn’t have much to change or get used to. We loved it here and were so excited when our parents told us we would be living here.

After a few seconds of being in the house cinnamon assaults my nostrils. It was my mother’s favorite scent and my father refused to change it. Familiar family photos stare back at me and I have to look away from them before I begin crying.

Dread filled happiness begins ebbing its way into my veins as memories begin bombarding me. I feel her soul all around me. I always did when I came home that is why it was so hard to visit. The living room was her favorite place to be. We spent Sunday evenings playing board games or anything that was relaxing before we went back to school and work. Even now, the pile of games still sits beside the wooden end table that’s up against the far wall halfway between the couch and the television stand. I feel eyes staring at me as I scan the room trying to keep my composure. My heart drops when I realize its two sets of eyes and I have apparently walked in on something. Finally giving them my full attention, my eyes dart back and forth between them as my father stands quickly and begins walking toward me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had company,” I say, turning to walk up the stairs behind me.

“Piper, I didn’t know you were visiting.” He reaches me before I make it to the steps and hugs me nervously, adding, “I am so glad to see you! Why didn’t you call to let me know you were traveling?”

“I…uh…it was a last minute decision. But I think I’m going to go up to my room. It’s getting late and the drive was long, I will see you in the morning.” Again I turn back to the stairs but before I can begin climbing them, my father’s voice booms behind me.

“Piper, it’s ok. Please let me introduce the two of you.” I don’t know if I can do this. How can I see my father with a woman that isn’t my mother? I know how selfish that sounds, I should be happy for them if she makes Daddy happy but I was caught completely off guard. Inhaling deeply, I turn to face them.

She’s just a little shorter than his six feet with long dark hair and a gentle but beautiful face. She is definitely younger than his fifty-two but I’m guessing she’s in her early forties. She has such a kind smile I want to like.

“Piper, this is Elizabeth. She and I have been friends for a couple months.” He stops, waiting for my reaction. I’m sure he isn’t surprised to see my jaw hit the ground at the thought of the two of them in a relationship for months without Phoebe or me having any knowledge of it. 

“So, do you live together?” Of the thousands of questions that are floating in my head right now, I have no idea why that is the one I blurt first.

“No. As your father mentioned, we have only known each other a few months.” She doesn’t speak further seemingly waiting for me to ask whatever questions I may have. While I always knew my father would meet someone else, I guess I assumed he would keep Phoebe and I informed. She seems nice enough but I don’t know her well enough to make that judgment yet.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Piper. I’ve heard so many great things about you and Phoebe,” she continues when she decides I’m not asking anymore questions. She sticks out her hand for me to shake but instead of reciprocating the gesture, I stare at her hand like a fool. I can’t seem to shake the shock of this situation. Why wouldn’t he tell us about her? Seriously, they’ve been together for a few months and he hasn’t so much as mentioned her. I realize they were put on the spot but so was I. Whatever. I shouldn’t be acting like a child. I should be happy my father has met someone who makes him happy.

I’ve made this situation worse with my reaction but Elizabeth is trying her best to keep it from being anymore awkward by being patient. Finally regaining my composure, I take her hand and smile, hoping to make both of us feel a little better.

“I…I’m sorry, I wasn’t prepared,” I somehow manage to spit out. I really need to get away from them for a minute before I can completely get over this shock.

“It’s ok, I understand.”

“Listen, please don’t take offense but I’m super tired so I’m going to bed. Goodnight and very nice to meet you.” I nod towards Elizabeth and she smiles back. My father walks over, gives me a hug and kisses me on the forehead.

This time when I turn to leave, I am not stopped. Grabbing my bag from beside the door, I run up the stairs to my room, closing the door and that awkward situation behind me. As soon as it shuts I back up against it and feel the adrenaline begin to crash. I don’t know if this would hit me as hard if I weren’t already dealing with everything else.

“Pipe, please let me in,” my father asks, after a couple light taps on the door. I throw my bag on the bed and pull open the tall oak door. He’s standing with his arms crossed over his chest and as soon as the door is open, he pulls me in for a hug. When his arms are around me, I feel myself calm, at ease, at home. “What’s wrong, baby girl? You don’t travel home for just a visit. Why don’t we go down to the kitchen? I’ll make you some warm tea and we can talk.”

After the last few days that sounds heavenly. I nod and we begin our journey to the kitchen. We pass my parents room which is just on the other side of mine and I notice two things: my father has finally taken down all of my mother’s décor. She had our house made up for every season and my father never complained about dragging out new totes and packing old to store again. After she passed, he continued to change with the seasons. Every new season, he would decorate and it warmed my heart and broke it at the same time. This time of year the palm trees with white Christmas lights outlining them should be out. Instead, he has sleek grey and black bedding with architecture photos spread on the walls. The palm trees have been replaced with books shelves, no doubt full of architecture books. The second thing I notice is the ladies silk robe lying at the end of bed. I quickly redirect my attention as it tells me a little more than I want to know.  However, I’m happy to see he still has his favorite photo of my mother sitting on his nightstand.

I jump at the sound of my father clearing his throat behind me as I hadn’t realized I’d stopped walking. I peak back at him and he raises a brow in question, I smile weakly at him and continue walking. Without speaking a word, we walk down the stairs and through the living area which also seems to be different, except for the cinnamon. The furniture is brown suede. The carpet is beige plush rather than the shaggy my mother always loved. Again, aside from the occasional family photo, the majority of photos that are hung are of architecture and if I’m not mistaken, they are the projects his company has built.

“Are these all of your projects, Daddy?”

“They are.”

“Have you changed the entire house?” I laugh.

Although the rest of the house took me somewhat by surprise, I feel like I am entering a whole new world when I walk in the kitchen. First of all, we have to enter through a set of French doors that were never there. Awe struck doesn’t even describe how I feel about this new kitchen. We renovated the house when we first moved in but apparently he felt the need for change since he is here by himself.

“Is this grey limestone marble,” I ask, gawking at the absolute masterpiece that is my father’s kitchen.

“I knew you would appreciate this kitchen, I just never thought you would come home to see it.”

The pang of guilt only slightly stabs as I am having a hard time feeling anything outside of sublime. I’m almost afraid to step on the floor in fear of harming its beauty.

“Piper, you won’t bust it,” he laughs behind me as I tiptoe across the floor. My heart is pounding all the way to the small oak table until I can sit. He walks in nonchalantly and begins making my tea.

“Dad, this house is gorgeous. My heart kind of dropped when I didn’t see the lit palm trees sitting in your room but you have really made this house look fantastic.” He’s quiet while he makes the tea so I sit and admire the kitchen until he is ready to speak.

The stainless steel appliances really add to the brilliance of the room. I can’t help but think it’s very similar to Fenton’s kitchen. I know if the two of them sat down and had a conversation, they would have similar tastes. In that moment, I decide working with both of them would be a dream come true. My father taught me all I know and Fenton is my future. Excitement begins crackling in my soul at the thought of them meeting and becoming the great friends I know they can be.

“That’s more like it.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“I would much rather see that beautiful smile on your face rather than the scowl you’ve had since you arrived.”

“I’m sorry, daddy. I was completely taken off guard with the whole situation. I hope Elizabeth didn’t take offense, she seems like a nice woman.”

“We’ll get to that in a moment. First, I would like for you to tell me why you’re here.” I take a small drink of my tea to buy myself some time. What do I tell him? Hell he knows about Shane, I might as well just spill.

“Although I’m here to visit, I wish that were the only reason. However, I can’t get over the changes you’ve made to the house. It’s gorgeous, by the way.” Ok, Piper, quit babbling. As I think about what I want to tell him, my hand instinctively moves to my neck before I begin talking again. 

“You already know about Shane. Well, he got out of jail and has made his feelings for me known. I know he believes he can change but I told him I can’t take his word for it anymore. It breaks my heart, Daddy. Part of me feels I owe it to him to help him. That being his friend I’m obligated to make sure he’s where he needs to be. But I can’t. He actually scares the hell out of me. I didn’t think he would but when he came to the apartment today, all I could see was his face, full of hatred, as he pushed me against the wall. Does that make me awful, Daddy?”

“Piper, he traumatized you and he’s lucky his ass is still intact. No one should be telling you how to feel. If you’re scared of him and feel the need to stay away from him that is what you need to do. Have you thought about talking to someone about this?”

“No, I don’t have time for that. I will be alright as long as he just keeps his distance for a while.”

“Anything else going on?” he asks, before taking a drink of his tea. My heart begins pounding as this is going to be the most difficult part of the conversation.

“I have a friend. You know, kind of like your friend. Well, not entirely like your friend because I don’t really know the depth of your friendship with Elizabeth…”

“Piper, you’re rambling, just spit it out.”

“Sorry.” I inhale deeply before I continue. “His name is Fenton and we’ve known each other a few weeks. He’s completely changed my life and how I look at the world.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Why do you think there is something wrong with him?”

“You wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t.”

Is it seriously just parent’s intuition to know these things? I hope I have it when I have children.

“Well, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with him. Personally, I think he is perfect in every way. Of course, there are people who don’t agree with me, including his father but…”

“His father?” he questions, interrupting me. This should be interesting.

“Yes. Frank James is his father.” The words leave a bad taste in my mouth and every time I hear them, I want to vomit.

“That son of a bitch lied to me? This is the man you are working for, Piper? Have I taught you nothing?”

“I don’t work for him any longer, we parted ways.”

“He fired you?”

“No.” I begin the long story of what happened on the roof top and what is going on with Fenton, leaving nothing out. Hearing this story all over again makes my heart yearn for Fenton. Everyone gives him such a hard time, making him believe he isn’t worthy of love or is able to love. I want to show them all they are wrong.

“So, you don’t know who is after him? Piper, I don’t know that I like the sound of this.”

“I know, Daddy. That’s why I’m here. Even though I know this isn’t Fenton’s fault, I need to find myself and make sure I can handle what he is offering. His life is a whirlwind and he has a past full of baggage but…I just…I really like him and can’t stay away from him. Even now, I’m ready to head back just so I can see him. But it’s not only him. Shane got out of jail yesterday and he offered me more than I can give him and I just feel lost. I was hoping you could give me some insight and I could just relax this weekend, maybe get in some running.”

“Have you found another job, Piper? You know that is the most important thing to me.”

“Actually, yes. I spoke with Logan Moore earlier and I’m starting with his company on Monday.”

“I worked with him on a dual project, that’s a good company, Piper.”

“I know.”

“Listen, we can talk about the rest in the morning. You look like you haven’t slept in days. Get some rest. I’ll meet you at five?” He lifts a brow in question. My heart begins racing as I haven’t ran in ages. Every day of my senior year of high school, I woke up at five in the morning to go running with him. I miss this, I miss him and I can’t wait to get back at it.