“Moldy? I think we remember it differently.”
“It always had that weird smell.”
“It was a house full of college guys. Laundry wasn’t our strong suit.”
Her laugh is much louder than the joke deserves. She sways closer. “I’m here with a friend tonight, but we should catch up sometime.”
I shove my hands into my pockets. “Oh. Yeah, that would be fun. I could bring—actually, I’m dating Piper Monroe. She’s here if you want to say hi.”
“Here?” Something flashes in Hannah’s eyes, but I can’t tell what it is. Not panic exactly, but something close. “That would be so nice. Oh, how cute. I thought you two, like, hated each other?”
“Yeah…well, we don’t.”
It’s awkward for a few moments.
I gesture back toward the bar. “I should probably order our?—”
“Hannah?” Piper says from right behind me. “I thought that was you, but I couldn’t tell. Oh my gosh, how are you?”
She passes me and goes in for a hug, which Hannah returns. The brilliant smile returns to Hannah’s face. “I’ve missed you! It’s been so long. I was just telling Dorian that we should all catch up sometime.”
“That would be fun.” Piper nods, taking a step back to stand at my side. “I thought…actually, I just came out here to let you know, Dorian, that Ravi wants a water. He, uh, wants to hydrate.”
“I haven’t ordered yet, so you can come with me.” I draw my hand around her waist and pull her against my side. Maybe I’m taking liberties by saying we’re dating already. We haven’t had an official conversation defining our relationship yet, but I kissed her a lot last night, and she’s been glued to me all day. “Good to see you, Hannah,” I say dismissively before pulling Piper inside.
“You too.”
After we reach the bar and place our order, I lean against it and pull her into my arms. “What’s going on?”
“Hannah told me she was gone all month visiting family in Kentucky. I mean, I know she doesn’t want to teach the class, but have the guts to tell me that. Don’t lie.”
“Fame changes some people.”
“It didn’t change you.”
“Don’t let it change you.”
Piper barks out a laugh. “Give me a break. When I said I planned to tell more people about my books, themore peoplewere like…Nat and Ravi.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Baby steps.”
She reaches up and kisses me to the sound of country music and women singing along terribly until our drinks are set on the bartop in front of us. When we carry them back toward our table of friends, we pass Hannah again, holding a tall guy’s hand.
Piper stops. She turns back and grips Hannah lightly by the arm. “Hey, it’s okay that you didn’t want to teach that class. Next time, just tell me.”
Hannah’s eyes go round, but Piper doesn’t give her a chance to respond. She takes her drink and walks back to the table.
We don’t see Hannah again for the rest of the night.
sixteen
piper
Both of myemployees are here this morning, so I’m going to do the big author reveal, and I’m pretty sure I’m one quick hyperventilating session away from throwing up. I asked them to come in ten minutes early for a quick meeting, so the time has come.
It’s not that I don’t trust them. I know they’ll respect my secret and be kind about it. But will they feel betrayed, like Dorian did?
“You’re starting to freak me out, boss,” Ravi says, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
