For a while, all we could do was sit in the aftermath of what we’d done. But eventually, he winced.
“You know, the couch was a bad idea.”
“Old man,” I teased.
“There was a bedrightthere.”
“But the couch was hotter!”
“Give your knees ten more years. Then we’ll talk.”
Girls’ Night had become something of a habit. Every Thursday, we would all get together to do something either at the library or at someone’s house. They all did such a good job of keeping me involved in their chats that I looked forward to it every week.
I thought I’d been the first to arrive at Grace’s house, but when I walked in, I heard hushed voices in the living room.
“You don’t have to pretend to be fine,” Grace’s soft voice said.
“Ihaveto. It’s been over a decade and I’m tired of randomly feeling like this. I don’t want what happened to still affect me. I just don’t.”
“You loved him.”
“Yeah. Loved, past tense. So, I shouldn’t be miserable. It’s just that everyone else is so happy, and I’m happy for you all, but it’s hard when I’m alone.”
My eyes went wide. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but I had a feeling I shouldn’t be listening. I backed up, planning to go out to my car to give them privacy.
Instead, I ran right into a wall.
Grace came around the corner first. “Piper! Hi! Come on in.”
I actually wanted to melt into the floor. “Uh, if you guys need a minute, I can wait.”
“No need.” Jade came around the corner. “I don’t really wanna wallow in my shit anymore.”
I opened my mouth to ask if she was okay, but it was obvious that she wasn’t. Her smile didn’t reach her dull eyes. Even her hair, a bright green shade, looked like it was faded.
“Seriously,” Jade said, shaking her head. “Distract me.”
“Okay, well ...” I thought about it. Avoiding anythingromantic was probably a good idea. “I may or may not have insight on what’s coming next from Freya.”
Jade perked up. “Now that’s a good distraction.”
I laughed and followed the two women into the living room where we chatted about what Theo was bringing in. Freya was on a lemon-themed baking spree. She’d already had Theo and me taste test it, and I knew the town would love it once it was ready.
Wren and Mollie arrived just after, and we busied ourselves with playing games up until the sun set.
I was content losing at every card game I played, but eventually, Mollie put down her deck and looked at me.
“So, I hear things are going well with Theo.”
My eyes cut to Jade before I answered. “Oh, I suppose, but?—”
“Piper, don’t hold back for my sake.” Jade’s voice was flat. “I’m happy for you.”
“Wait, is something wrong?” Mollie asked.
“No,” Jade answered at the same time Grace said “Yes.”
Both women glared at each other.
