Page 12 of Imperfect Arrangement

Not all marriages end up being disasters, and not all kids turn out as burdens—I know that. In fact, my best friend Daisy’s pregnant with her first child, and I already know I’ll love that kid like crazy,butas an aunt. No strings, no messy past, no risk.

On rare occasions, I try to imagine myself in Daisy’s shoes, but all I see is my mom’s exhausted face, bruises hidden under layers of makeup. No, thanks. Not happening.

“What in actual hell?” I shove my fingers into my ears as someone’s voice booms over a loudspeaker, fighting to be heard above the chopper’s roar.

What if they’re calling for you? Or worse—what if someone needs your help, Wills?

I drop my hands, annoyed with myself for being so dramatic.

“Dad’s on his way, Bug. Don’t be scared.”

The pit of my stomach twists at the sound of that all too familiar voice—the one that haunts me both while awake and asleep. Raymond Teager. There’s no way…but then Quill tugs on my sleeve, and she goes silent again, slipping back into signing with her fingers.

“That’s my dad,” she signs.

Did I fall asleep on this Ferris wheel and stumble into some kind of surreal dream?

No, this isn’t a dream. Because there, clear as day, is Raymond Teager, wearing a headset over his ears and aviators that mask his typically smug expression. And for once, he doesn’t look like the cocky jerk I’ve come to know. Instead, his forehead creases with worry, and I’ll admit it makes him look…almost human.

This can’t be real, can it? Raymond not aiming his usual brand of sharp-edged arrogance at me? I’d have better odds winning the lottery.

While I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, two men in full rescue gear descend from ropes, hovering right in front of us.

“You both alright, miss?” one of them asks, not waiting for my answer before he adds, “We’re here to bring you down safely.”

“What on earth is going on?” I finally manage, as the blood rushes back to my brain.

“Miss, there’s no time for explanations. Just follow our instructions, please,” he says, all business.

“You’re not from Cherrywood, are you?” I blurt out, still trying to make sense of it all.

The two rescuers exchange a look before shaking their heads. “No, ma’am. We’re from St. Peppers.”

Of course. City guys.

Cherrywood locals would let the Ferris wheel crank itself back to life rather than pull this dramatic stunt.

“Look, the Ferris wheel will be back up soon. There’s no need for this whole rescue mission,” I argue, mentally picturing my face plastered across theCherrywood Gazette, being airlifted like a damsel in distress with Captain Lick in my arms. I’d never live that down.

But my words are completely ignored as one of the men yells into his headset, “The lady’s refusing, Mr. Teager.”

After a pause, he turns back to me. “It’s your call, miss, but we’re still under orders to take the kid down. Her dad is…insistent.”

Quill tightens her grip on my hand as she shakes her head.

Great, so my choices have officially hit rock bottom. Either I accept help from Raymond Teager—the last person I want to owe a favor to—or break Quill’s little heart.

I take a deep breath and try not to grit my teeth. “Can you please tell Mr. Teager that I’m only coming down because of his daughter and not because I need his help?”

It feels strange saying Raymond’s name alongside the worddaughter, but here we are.

When they don’t immediately reply, I add, “Or we could stay here and wait for the ride to fix itself.”

Their exasperated looks tell me they’re not thrilled with my answer. But finally, one of them relays my message into his headset. “She’ll come down, but only because your daughter refuses to leave without her, sir.”

“What did he say?” I ask, crossing my arms as if that can shield me from whatever comeback Raymond has waiting.

The rescue guy’s face breaks into a smirk. “Can you cover the kid’s ears for a second?”