“Let me get that for you.” I reached a hand toward her, but she dropped the bag and backed away immediately.
She must’ve really not wanted to go to the dumpster. I didn’t blame her.
After throwing away her trash, I brushed off my hands before turning to her once more. Her eyes were wide with that same fearful expression I’d seen her first day in the shop.
“Do I scare you?” I asked slowly.
Piper blinked, looked at me, and then at my hand. “You shouldn’t.”
“But I do.”
She sighed, shoulders slumping.
“Sorry,” I said. “Do you want Kelsey to take your order from now on?”
“No,” she said immediately. “It’s not you. Or only you. Please keep taking my order.”
My eyebrows pulled together. There was something deeper, just like when I first moved here.
I opened my mouth, but then closed it. I needed to get out of here andfast.
If I stayed, I would want to know everything about her. Why I saw myself when I looked at her.
“Okay,” I said and forced myself to turn away. “Have a good night, Piper.”
“Wait, I feel like I should explain myself.”
“It’s fine.” I paused, but didn’t turn around. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“You really don’t wanna talk to me, do you?”
Her question hung heavy over us. “Sorry,” I managed to say.
“What did I do?” Her voice was small and I finally turned back to her.
“It’s not you.” I swallowed. “It’s that if I start, I won’t stop.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Her lips pulled into a frown.
“It is when it’s me.”
I didn’t wait for her to answer. All I could do was turn and hurry to my car. I didn’t even take a breath until I was in the front seat and completely alone.
5
PIPER
Danielle Pepper Fan Club
Trina Dunn:Ugh, she does it again. But in a bad way! Finally finished her newest book and it’s so juvenile!
Comments:
Dana Holden:You do know you could leave the group if you don’t like her stuff, right?
Trina Dunn:I keep hoping she gets better but she just doesn’t!
Dana Holden:Has anyone else finished the book? Please? I want to talk about the third act breakup with someone who won’t complain the whole time.
