Tears prick at my eyes. I hadn’t realized she’d noticed. I thought I’d been so careful, so good at hiding it.
“I wanted to say something,” Riya says softly. “But you seemed so fragile. Like one wrong word would shatter you completely. This term has been better and recently…you’re back to your old self. Better even, happier.”
“Ry...” My voice cracks.
“I’m not asking you to tell me. Not until you’re ready.” She reaches across the table, covers my hand with hers. “But I need you to know that whatever happened, whatever you did or didn’t do—I’m here. No judgment. Just... here. Maybe...” Riya’s eyes light up. “Maybe this is perfect. Maybe this is your chance to finally close that chapter. To tell him exactly what you should have said months ago.”
“Which is?”
“That you deserve someone who chooses you loudly. Publicly. Without hesitation.” She grins fierce and proud. “Someone who doesn’t make you feel like a secret.”
A tear escapes, sliding down my cheek. “You must think I’m pathetic.”
“I could never think that. I think you’re wonderful. And Ithink Miles took advantage of that.” She squeezes my hand. “I don’t think you should meet him. But if you need to clear something up, to close that chapter properly... then go. Do what you need to do.”
“Really?”
“Just... be careful. Remember who you are now, not who you were then.” She pauses. “And maybe remember that you have me.”
I swallow hard, throat thick with unshed tears. “Thank you. For seeing it. For not pushing. For... everything.”
“That’s what best friends do.” She signals for more napkins as I wipe my eyes. “So? What’s the plan?”
I type back with shaking fingers.
CC’s tomorrow at 6pm. One hour. That’s it.
Not our spot?
No. CC’s or outside CC’s. Or I’m not coming.
“Too little, too late,” Riya mutters, reading over my shoulder.
“This is probably a mistake,” I say.
“Probably,” she agrees. “But sometimes we need to make mistakes to move forward.”
“Very philosophical.”
“I have my moments.” She pulls out her wallet. “Just promise me something?”
“What?”
“After tomorrow, whatever happens, you’ll stop letting Miles have power over you. You’ll tell him what you need to say, hear what he needs to say, and then you’ll walk away.”
“I promise,” I say, hoping I mean it.
“And Piper? When you’re ready to talk about last term... I’ll be here. With wine and zero judgment.”
Fresh tears threaten. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Sure you do. Now come on, let’s get out of here before I start crying too and ruinmyreputation as the tough one.”
We head back into the afternoon sun. I think about Ethan, about trust and honesty, about all the secrets I’m still carrying.
Tomorrow I’ll face Miles. But maybe after that, I’ll finally be ready to stop carrying this alone.
Maybe I’ll finally be ready to tell someone the whole truth.
