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for you. But if you need me to kick his ass, I will.”
    “Thanks.”

    12pm
    Lunch with Dad.

    I meet Dad at a restaurant at twelve o’clock on the dot. He’s very prompt. I must have got that from him. Nothing is worse than being late.
    “Hey, Dad.” I give him an awkward side hug, then we both sit down.
    “How is life?” he asks.
    Did I mention I love awkward lunches with my dad? Because I don’t love them. They are the bane of my existence. “Life is life.”
    “Are you still dating that guy?” Dad didn’t like Landon either. Come to think of it, he hasn’t ever really liked anyof the guys I have dated. Ever.
    “No. Landon and I broke up,” I answer.
    “What about Aaron? Are you two still friends?”
    Ugh. “Yes, Dad. He’s my best friend.”
    He forces a smile. “Make sure he stays that.”
    “Stays what?”
    “Just a friend .”
    I roll my eyes. “If I need your advice on relationships, I will let you know. Until then, it would be awesome if you could just stay out of it.”
    “Fine,” he says. “The reason I wanted to meet you today is because I think it’s time we talked about your future.”
    “Oh God. Did Mom put you up to this? I already told her, I’m not going to become a model. Or an actress. Or any other kind of celebrity slash public figure. I am very satisfied living in the shadows of Candi and Chloe.”
    Dad smiles. “I am glad to hear that.”
    “Really?” This surprises me. I always assumed that he feels the same way Mom does. Of course, how would I know what he feels? He’s never around to tell me.
    “Yes. Now tell me, what is it that you want to do?”
    “I haven’t decided yet,” I answer honestly. “I know that I don’t have forever to figure it out, but I do know that I want to go to college.”
    “Excellent,” he says. “What schools have you thought about going to? You know that applications are due in four months.”
    “I haven’t really thought a lot about whereI will be going.”
    “I think you should consider Columbia University.”
    “In New York?”
    “Yes.”
    Ugh. I hate New York. The streets are way too crowded, the winters are way too cold, and California is way too far. “I will probably just go to a community college around here. I would kind of like to stay here. With my friends. My sisters. My life.”
    Hell. No. I am not even going to consider New York.
    “Columbia is a great school. I would get you a nice apartment on the Upper West Side, and you’ll just be a taxi ride away from me,” he says. “Hell, I’ll even get you a driver.”
    A driver? Seriously? I like driving myself. In my Jeep. In Malibu. And why would I care if I am close to my dad? He’s been living in New York City since I was like six. And even before the divorce he was hardly ever home.
    “I don’t want to leave here.”
    “Your friends aren’t going to be here forever, Charlotte. I’m sure all of them are going away to college. Even Aaron.”
    This makes me roll my eyes. “Dad, Aaron is eighteen. He’s already graduated from high school, and I know for a fact that he’s doing online classes.”
    “Of course he is.” Dad looks mad.
    “Besides, you obviously haven’t been listening to me. It isn’t Aaron keeping me here. He’s my best friend, yes, but that’s it. Nothing more. I’m staying here because of Candi and Chloe. I’m not leaving them. And sure, Mom annoys the shit out of me, but I can’t leave her.”
    “You can still see Candice and Chloe, even from New York. And your mother is a grown woman. She can take care of herself,” he says. “And don’t say shit. It’s not very lady-like.”
    “And now I get why Mom divorced you,” I mumble.
    “What?”
    “Nothing,” I say.
    “Charlotte, this is your future . I didn’t pay for a private school just so you could throw it away by going to a community college.”
    “If it means that much to you, I will consider it.” I actually won’t, but I know this conversation won’t end unless I