But then the laugh fades, and she falls silent, her eyes lost somewhere as she gazes at the town lights.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” she says, rearranging her face. “Nerves.”
“That’s allowed.”
She tugs at the dress again. “Is it?”
“You need a getaway driver? Just say the word.”
“Yeah? What car did you bring?”
“The Camaro.”
Her eyes go wide. “Shit. That’s a really good getaway car.”
“I know.”
She offers me a wobbly smile and inhales.
“You’ll be alright, Piper.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“I always am,” she breathes. It doesn’t sound like reassurance. It sounds like a prison sentence.
“There you are.”
We both turn to see Ezra in the doorway. He clocks me, then her, and his expression transforms for a fraction of a second into something sharp.
Piper is already up, already apologizing. The shift in her is so fast it makes my head spin.
Ezra crosses the balcony.
“Good to see you again,” I say, standing and extending my hand.
He shakes it with a grip that feels practiced. “You should come in and join the party.”
“I’ll celebrate with you tomorrow. It’s getting late.”
He nods before wrapping an arm around Piper’s shoulders. “Come back inside. People are asking where you’ve gotten to.”
Piper glances back. The smile she gives me is tiny. “Goodnight, Griffin.”
“Goodnight, Pipes.”
I stay in the dark. Through the glass, I watch Ezra stop her. He turns her to face him, his hands moving to her hair, smoothing it, adjusting her neckline, fixing her like she’s a display in a window. He’s talking, but I can’t hear him.
I watch her face assemble itself. The smile lands on her lips, but it doesn’t touch her eyes.
I finish my drink and look at that portrait one more time. I try to find the girl I used to know.
It takes me a lot longer than it should.
Six
