Mom tilted her head, fingering the sleeve of the soft teal sweater in front of her. “I don’t know, honey. Which one do you think you’ll get the most use out of?”

“I like this one,” I said, my mind not really on the sweater. It was on Finn and the chemistry homework I’d never finished, and the lab I had to do tomorrow morning. “It’s a lighter shade.”

Mom nodded. “And feel how soft it is.”

I sighed, reaching out and touching the soft sweater, trying my best to look as into the whole shopping experience as she was. I’d never been able to last as long as she could, and today was no exception. We’d been shopping for three hours, and I was done. D-O-N-E, done. I didn’t care which one she bought thirty minutes ago, and I didn’t care now either.

It was a shirt. A shirt Finn would undoubtedly rip off me at some point.

“It’ll go better with your hair.” She held the sweater up to me, and I held my arms out as she studied my complexion. “Yes, this’ll do. Now, for some pants…”

I followed her, barely biting back a groan. Truth be told, I wasn’t much of a shopper, but she was, and it made her happy. I smiled and acted as if I cared what color socks I wore with my sweaters because it made her smile. As she combed through a rack of black jeans, I peeked over my shoulder for the ten-millionth time.

Finn still wasn’t out there. Just a pair of suits.

Where was he? Was I just not seeing him? For a while after our big fight, he’d done a good job at staying hidden from me. Maybe he was incognito or something.

“Oh, look at the pockets on these.” Mom pulled out a pair of black jeans with zippers on a bunch of pockets from the back of the rack. “They look like something a biker chick would wear, don’t you think?”

They did. I could easily picture myself sitting on Finn’s bike, wearing those pants and wrapping my arms around his waist. I bet he’d like them, too. For the first time this whole shopping trip, my heart picked up speed. “Yeah, and I like them. Are they my size?”

She looked at me with a raised brow. “Of course they are. I wouldn’t have pulled them out if they weren’t.”

“I’ll take them.” I smiled at her, my eyes still on the pants. “Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome, dear.” She pursed her lips and looked at me, her eyes narrowed. I stiffened. Last time she looked at me like that, I’d been forced to get a haircut because it was fresh and fun. I’d hated it. “Shall we get you some biker boots to go with it?”

I tensed. She sounded suspicious. As if she knew I was riding a bike now. She couldn’t possibly know that. I forced myself to relax and smile. “Um, sure. Why not? They’re fashionable now. Maybe with some laces that go all the way up?”

She tapped a finger on her lip. “Your tastes have changed.”

“I’ve grown up.” I looked over my shoulder, searching the crowd outside for Finn. Still no sign of him. I turned back to Mom. “Is that so bad?”

She smiled and headed for the register. “Of course not. As a matter of fact, I think I like the changes. You look happier.”

That’s because I was. I had Finn. “I am, Mom. Really, really happy.”

“Good. And I’m glad you’re free of all the stresses from our life out here.” Mom stood in line, tapping her foot as she waited. “Last week, we hosted three senators and a governor for dinner. Everything was rolling along smoothly, but then, wouldn’t you know it? Christy got the flu and couldn’t make the dinner. We had to scramble for a replacement chef at the last second, and Dad was on a rampage.”

I flinched. I was all too familiar with the stresses that came with being a Wallington. “Who did you find?”

“The Stapletons loaned us theirs. He was delightful.” Mom looked over her shoulder, her eyes lighting up. “Hey, you remember them, right? They have a son who’s a couple of years older than you. His name’s Riley.”

I scanned my memory. I vaguely remembered a guy a few years older than me at Dad’s last gala, but to be honest, most of those events passed in a blur. “Blond hair, green eyes, and tall?”

“Mmhm.” She smiled even bigger. “You remember him.”

“Yeah, sure.” I shrugged. “He seemed nice enough.”

“Well, he wants to go sailing with you over the summer break.” Mom stepped forward in the line a little bit more. “They visited the night of the disaster, and we got to talking about you. You’ll never believe it, but he goes to school upstate, near San Francisco.”

I tensed. Why hadn’t I realized where this was going? “Mom…”

“Oh relax, dear.” She patted my arm. “It’s a sailing expedition, not a betrothal.”

I choked on a laugh. “I know, but I’m not looking for a boyfriend right now.” Because I already have one. “Besides, why would he be thinking about taking me out? He doesn’t even really know me.”

“Your father and his are in the same political party, as you know, so it’s an advantageous move for both families.” She sighed and hugged the clothes tighter to her chest. “You do know at one point, you’ll have to come home and play the game. Be the daughter your father needs you to be. Right?”

I stiffened and swallowed hard. In other words, I was expected to come home and marry a Stapleton like a good little girl. Yeah. That wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t need a Stapleton. I had a Coram. This was exactly what Finn had been worried about. And I’d laughed it off, as if it didn’t matter and would never come into play.

I’d been wrong. It did matter. Finn was smart to plan ahead.

“Mom, I’m not marrying someone to further Dad’s career,” I said, my voice low. “I love you, and I love him, but no.”

“You’re not going to marry a man for your father. That’s not what I meant.” She shrugged. “But you’ll marry someone who will be a benefit to the family, I’m sure. Someone who is worthy of standing beside a Wallington. You should take more pride in who you are.”

“I have plenty of pride.” I crossed my arms. “But you have too much. We’re no different than anyone else.”

“I didn’t say we were. You’re putting words in my mouth.” Mom sighed. “It’s hard to see the big picture when you’re so young.” She reached out and squeezed my arm, her eyes kind, even though her words made me want to scream. “You have time. There’s no rush for you to accept this all right here.”

I clenched my teeth. I wouldn’t be accepting it ever. “Mom.”

“It’s about more than what we want out of life. There’s your father’s career, the presidential campaign, the opportunities…you’re just too young to see that.” Mom dropped her arm. “Looks like it’s my turn to pay.”

Mom stepped forward and chatted up the store employee, acting for all the world as if she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on me and walked away. I fidgeted and looked over my shoulder. Dad was out there talking to the suits, but still no Finn.

Not able to stand it another second, I pulled out my phone and texted him. Everything okay, Susan?

My phone buzzed and my heart sped up. Yeah, I’m fine. What are you up to?

I peeked at Mom, making sure she wasn’t watching me. Luckily, she was too busy chatting. Shopping with my mom.

Oh boy. Sounds…fun? Okay. I can’t lie. Not really. You know I’m not much of a shopper.

I held back a smile. Yeah, I know.

Are you going to buy something pretty?

I grinned. Like…?

I don’t know. A skirt for church? Maybe we could share it.

I snorted, then glanced up cautiously. Mom was almost finished. Uh-oh. We’re done paying. I have to go.

Okay. Hey, the sun is finally shining.

I looked out the window and smiled. It really is.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket just in time for Mom to stop yakking to the cashier. She looked at me, taking in my flushed cheeks more than likely. She arched a dainty brow. “What were you doing, dear?” she asked.