“Tonight?” I asked.
“Okay,” Piper nodded.
She turned and walked through the square. I watched her sashaying hips until she disappeared.
Fifteen
Piper
“Will you please stop looking at me like that?” I snapped. After enduring Audra’s judgmental glare for nearly twenty minutes I was ready to be rid of her for the night.
“Like what?” Audra asked. Fake innocence dripped from her lips.
“Like I just killed your puppy,” I said with a glare of my own.
“I just don’t understand why you’re doing this,” Audra said with a shake of her head.
“Well, you don’t have to,” I said.
“Piper…” Audra began. She slowly got off the bed and walked over to me. I stood in front of the vanity mirror, teasing my curls and adding finishing touches to my makeup. Audra stood behind me and watched me work. She didn’t speak. I pretended like I didn’t see her standing there until it became too much to stand.
“What?” I snapped, finally turning around to face her. My stance must have been a defensive one because Audra immediately took two steps backward.
“Retract the claws, okay?” Audra said. She held her hands up in a surrendering gesture. “I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“I’m not getting myself into anything,” I argued. “It’s dinner. With an old friend.”
“He’s not just an old friend,” Audra said. “And you know that.”
“Of course, I know that,” I told her. For the first time all evening, I let my confidence slip away. My head sagged and I stared at my feet which were crammed into high heels a size too small. I hated how easily it was for me to become emotional. In New York, I was strong. I didn’t allow any weakness to seep through. In Bradberry, though? It was like everyone and everything could see straight down to my raw, vulnerable soul. I was exposed and no one knew that better than my sister.
“Talk to me,” Audra said softly.
“These shoes are too small,” I complained.
“Yeah, well, they’re all I have,” Audra shrugged. “Maybe you should have brought your own if you intended to date while you’re in town. Seriously, Piper…”
“Don’t,” I told her. My head popped back up and my eyes narrowed warningly. “Audra, it’s not your life. It’s not your business.”
“The hell it’s not!” Audra’s face turned red in a flash. “Who took care of you when he bailed? Who was there, in the hospital, the day…”
I shot Audra a look that was more than a warning. She was treading on extremely dangerous ground and she knew it. Her mouth shut and her face softened slightly. Of all the things I knew about my sister, her protective instinct was the most prominent. When she felt I was heading down the wrong path, she couldn’t help but voice her opinions. Even when they were the last thing I needed or wanted to hear.
“I know you’re worried, okay?” I told her. I tried to keep my voice even and calm, but it was trembling with annoyance. Gently, I reach my hand out and took hers. I squeezed it and said, “I understand. And you know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me over the years. You, more than anyone, have stood by me and I love you for it. I really do, Aud. I can’t explain to you how I’m feeling right now. Everything with Logan feels so uncertain and unfinished. Despite everything, I don’t think I ever truly got closure from him. I need to go tonight, okay? And right now, you need to back off. Please.”
Audra opened her mouth to argue, but she closed it almost as fast. With a sigh, she took a step forward and engulfed me in a bone crushing hug. She held me so tightly I thought I was going to suffocate, but I didn’t pull away. I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her waist. I let her hold me as she silently told me I was stronger than I had ever been before. As my big sister, Audra had seen me at my lowest points in life. She, more than anyone, knew the progress I had made over those last five years. Deep down, I knew h
er worry stemmed from her desire to keep me on my chosen path. She didn’t want anything derailing the life I had created for myself. Especially not Logan.
“It’s okay to be scared,” she whispered in my ear.
I wouldn’t admit it, but Audra was right. I was terrified of what my dinner with Logan might mean. Our talk in town went well. Better than I ever imagined. But, that still didn’t change our history. There was so much between Logan and me, so much pain and heartache. I knew one dinner could never erase all that, but a part of me hoped it might be a start. At least, a step in the right direction.
“Are you going to tell him?” Audra asked. Her voice was low, soft. I knew she was trying not to upset me again.
I sighed and pulled away from her. I sunk onto the bed and adjusted the heels on my feet into a more comfortable position. Audra waited patiently for my answer, but we both knew I didn’t have one.
“Maybe he should know,” Audra said. “Lilliana isn’t a baby anymo…”