He’s the spitting image of his mother, save for the eyes—the same curved nose and chin, the same hair color, and plenty of it, curled on top of his head just like his mother’s flowing locks.
I sit down beside Piper and dip bread into tomato sauce. The flavors are just right. The in-season tomatoes provide an extra sweetness, complementing the brown sugar and fresh herbs.
But I would much prefer to taste her.
“This is your best yet!” exclaims Ellie, digging right in for another slice of bread. “I wish you could cook this every night.”
It might have to be that way from now on,I think to myself as I glimpse the perfect woman sitting next to me, hit with a fresh wave of sadness.
Although at the moment, the dish is making me feel the opposite of comfort, with Piper here next to me. Acting civil. Neutral. Like we’re back to being strangers.
She saved me nine years ago from a type of pain that I never thought would go away, so the least I can do is return the favor and help her out in a time of need.
But boundaries need to be put in place. Both while she’s staying here, and after.
Because this town is small.
And with Ellie settled in and excited to go to school at last, I can’t uproot her life and leave.
5
PIPER
I lockmyself away in the guest room, and take out my phone, hoping that Mr. Anonymous has responded.
Nope.
I don’t normally double-text. Men don’t deserve that kind of satisfaction.
But I’m on the brink of shooting over a second text message, since an anonymous man is the only source of escapism I have currently.
It’s late, and the chirping crickets calm me for a while…
Until I’m reminded of Ellie. She’s a sweet girl who has obviously been lacking maternal care, the same way Sonny hasn’t had a father. But she’snine.Caleb had a whole-ass daughter when he came to Maple Crossing and didn’t think to tell me.
Why? Because he thought it would put me off?
Because he had a fucked-up past that he was embarrassed about?
I could’ve handled it at the time. But now, after six months of lies that culminated in a nine-year disappearance, I can’t forgive this.
I collapse onto the mattress and release all of the air out of my body. At the bottom of my lungs is a scratching that won’t go away, like a reminder that I have too much on my plate to breathe peacefully.
Living under Caleb’s roof.
A burned-down house…
From a fire that I secretly started.
I’ll make a start on the admin tomorrow morning, like I promised myself. Tonight—I just have to focus on clearing my head. And what better way to do that than to double-text a man who probably doesn’t deserve the attention?
Me:Playing shy now, are you?
His reply comes through much quicker than I anticipate.
Anonymous:No. Just waiting for a reason to get it back up again.
Me:What if I’m thinking about fucking you right this second?
