Hate to Date You (Dating #4) - Monica Murphy Page 0,53
She took on so much responsibility when I was out partying and generally acting like a fool. If something like that would’ve happened to me, I probably would’ve run away.
“I don’t think I could’ve dealt with that,” Candice says, as if she’s reading my thoughts. “I was such a spoiled rich girl when I was a teen. I’m sure many still think I am.”
“It’s amazing what you can do when you don’t have a choice,” Sarah says, her gaze sweeping over me before it settles on Candice. “And you are so not a spoiled rich girl. You are one of the most generous, giving people I know.”
Candice actually tears up, and gives a little sniff. She’s a complete sap. It’s something I adore about her. She’s not afraid to show her feelings. “Thank you. Your words mean a lot to me.”
The server arrives with our drinks and salads all at once, interrupting our meaningful conversation, and we change the subject once we start eating lunch, chatting about our friends, gossiping. They try to steer the conversation back to Carter, and I steer it in another direction, which allows me to dodge answering any of their questions.
I don’t know what I would say to them. Or how I would explain my feelings toward Carter. It’s…confusing.
He confuses me.
I have a feeling I confuse him right back.
Nineteen
Carter
“Holy shit, your parents live in a freaking mansion,” is the first stupidly obvious thing I say when the Ricci house comes into view.
And really, I can’t call it a house. That’s too insignificant word for such a grand home. It is truly a mansion—a spectacular place right on the famous 17-Mile Drive. The driveway is long, curvy and smoothly paved, either side lined with thick pine trees before opening up to a large green field directly in front of the palatial house.
Stella, sitting in the passenger seat of my car, bursts out laughing. “There are bigger houses out here, you know.”
I’m still impressed. “You grew up here?”
She nods, her gaze locked on her childhood home. “I sure did.”
I grew up in the area too, but I was a poor kid. More like lower middle class, straddling the line of poverty. That’s my mom’s fault. She had a hard time sticking with jobs. Dad bailed on us, so I guess it’s his fault too.
No wonder I always wanted to make a lot of money. I was surrounded by rich people in this area. I wanted what I thought I couldn’t have. I’m nowhere near the level of the Ricci family, but I can hold my own.
“And now you live in your tiny apartment? How easy was the transition?” Our shared apartment is small. It’s a freaking closet compared to her family’s house.
“It was incredibly easy. Anything to get away from my overbearing father,” Stella mutters, her voice full of annoyance.
“You don’t get along with your dad?”
“It’s not that we don’t get along. I love him. He’s a good dad. But he’s always trying to tell me what to do, and after a while I tune him out. That always makes him mad, and I guess I can’t blame him, but when someone says the same thing over and over, you don’t hear it anymore, you know?” When I nod, she continues, “Then we start arguing, and my mother has to break it up, and my brothers argue with me too, because they’re always trying to tell me what to do, just like my father. It turns into a giant shit show every single time. We’re a very—loud family.” She shakes her head and sighs, then puts on a bright, false smile. “I bet you’re excited to spend Sunday afternoon and evening with the Ricci family!”
Chuckling, I pull into the circular drive, stopping the car right in front of the house and putting it in park before I shut off the engine. “I’m sure you’ll all be on your best behavior since there’s a guest.”
She laughs harder and reaches for the door handle. “Fat chance.”
I touch her arm before she exits the vehicle. “Is there anything you should tell me before I walk in there? Anything you should warn me about?”
Stella sends me a questioning look. “What do you mean?”
“Anything you want me to not mention?” I raise a brow.
“I mean, they still don’t know we live together.” She brings her hand to her mouth and starts nibbling on her thumbnail.
Unbelievable. I don’t know how she’s able to keep our roommate status a secret.