I don’t care who my father sleeps with. I don’t care who he chooses to live with. All I care about is my money, and there’s no way I’m going to let that broke bitch steal it away from me. Not after all I’ve been through.

“We’re thinking about having the ceremony before the summer’s over. Maybe the weekend of the Fourth.” Now he’s smiling, and I swear I almost jump over the table and slap it right off his face.

I take a breath, forcing my voice to stay neutral. “Of July?”

“That’s the one.”

I don’t say anything.

“So what do you think?”

He doesn’t really want to know what I think. He wants me to pat him on the shoulder and encourage this travesty.

I wet my lips, trying to not explode. “Don’t you think you’re rushing things?”

His expression hardens right up. “It’s been two years. I’ve been given a second chance. Might as well make the most of it.”

I stare at him, incredulous. “She’s my age.”

My father sighs a breath of obvious frustration, drawing himself back. “She’s not your age, Taylor. She’s four years older than you.”

It takes everything in me not to hurl my plate at his head. “Dad, what if I was banging a guy who was fifty? How can you be this cliché? You’re so embarrassing.”

He looks as irritated as I feel.

“We’re not banging. We’re getting married. There will even be a church and a priest.” After his failed attempt at a joke, he throws a quick glance around the room, making sure no one is within earshot. “Look, I didn’t ask you here for your permission. I wanted you to come so you can share this moment with me. Be happy for me. If you can’t do that, then you should leave.”

I set my jaw and grab the handle of my bag. My chair screeches loud against the floor as I push it back. Heads turn, but I don’t care.

My father’s neck snaps up. “What are you doing?”

I don’t answer him.

I don’t even look back when I snatch away from the table. My phone is already in my hand when I push inside the restroom. I group text Mei and Jared.

Code red, bitches. Need to meet at my house.

Mei: What’s up?

Jared: What happened? Are u ok?

I have no idea. I feel like I’m still in shock, like the full impact of it all hasn’t sunk in yet.

Me: Just come over.

Mei: Ok, I’m coming. But I’m getting in ur pool.