“You’re welcome.”
Piper slipped into her room. Now, as far as a man to snuggle with after a hard day…she had work to do to achieve that comfort. But she’d hurt her chances for Mikah to be the guy.
* * *
Piper twisted against her pillows and checked the clock. 9:00 a.m. She’d been tossing and turning for hours, going over yesterday in her mind. The clock had finally hit a decent time when she could call and check on Dahlia. She pressed the dial button.
Dahlia picked up. “Dodo texted all night, acting like I’m showing up for the exhibition game today, and then going with him to his family’s Thanksgiving after. Like I’d still work for him. Marry him.” Dahlia’s voice cracked, and her words came out jumbled. “I’m so sorry for hiring Willow. I wanted to help out a sorority sister and ignored how you must feel because it was convenient. I see your side clearer now.”
Ugh, Dahlia didn’t need to apologize. Piper had kept too many secrets. “I should have told you I caught Willow and Warren having sex while we were still together. I also caught her with Kiernan in Vegas.” She didn’t know if that part would help, but she didn’t want to leave any truth around Willow unturned.
Dahlia moaned. “You should have told me. I tell you everything. Did you back away because of Dodo being an Applebaum and the whole Warren awkwardness?”
No excuses. “I should have told you.” Piper blew out a breath. She understood how Dahlia felt on so many levels. The betrayal pain Mikah had helped her get over. The shimmering panic over Mikah that she was pretending wasn’t just under her skin. He hadn’t called or texted.
Give him time.
“I need a favor.” Dahlia’s voice quavered.
“You got it.” Piper injected strength into her tone. Their world was bruised not broken.
“Not a paid favor.”
“Of course not.” The ice hockey gig had clearly ended for Piper. If catching Dodo in flagrante delicto wasn’t strike three for her purity-minding job, then she didn’t know what would qualify.
“Less people will be in the office today, because of the holiday. As long as we stay away from the rink, I can get my stuff without having to talk to anyone.” Dahlia did not sound like her normal strong, managing self. That happened when futures blew up.
Bright, friendly Dahlia had to slink into work and give up her job. When she hadn’t done anything wrong. Was that fair? Did she have a choice? “Ouch.” And on freaking Thanksgiving. What was with sports playing on holidays? The players had families too. Mikah sure did.
“I don’t want to go alone or show up at Gram’s house alone.”
“I’ve got you.”
“Can we go now?”
“Give me thirty.” Piper disconnected and took a quick shower. She clipped her wet hair up, threw on yoga pants and a grateful-for-pumpkin-pie t-shirt, and left for Dahlia’s place.
Dahlia lived in a skyrise near the stadium. A new job would be needed fast, or she’d have to break her lease. A problem for another day. She texted Calista to tell Mom she’d meet them at Gram’s house at noon.
Dahlia emerged from the central lobby wearing a conservative orange dress and heels. She’d pinned her blonde hair in a French twist, wore a small cream crossbody purse, and carried a paper bag.
What was in there? Her lunch? A shaving kit Dodo left behind? A pipe bomb? Piper didn’t ask.
Piper drove them to the arena and parked in the back. They went through the delivery entrance, up the staff elevator to the executive floor and to Dahlia’s office. Once there, Piper and Dahlia packed her things into a cardboard box. Puck photo frame, face down, makeup bag, decorative business card holder, crystal vase…all the remains of a job cut short.
When they finished, Dahlia moved to the window, clutching the paper bag she’d brought. “I actually enjoyed working here.” Her makeup was perfect, but the sunlight showed the track of a tear. “I loved the view. The community connection. What this organization could represent.”
Piper lifted the box “You could reapply for another position…fight to stay on…” It would be an awkward choice.
“Nope.” Dahlia pressed her lips together. Her fingers crunched down on the paper bag. “They don’t deserve me.”
True. Piper now suspected the bag held Dahlia’s engagement ring because the diamond wasn’t on her finger. Would she leave it on her desk? Not the most secure choice. Or maybe the bag held the lucky puck. Probably not. If she had to guess, that totem was wrapped in a white princess-cut wedding dress slowly roasting on the backyard grill.
Dahlia couldn’t seem to move.
Piper tightened her arms around the box. “Ready?”
Dahlia nodded and pivoted to the door, her face blank. “Calista emailed me game tickets for tomorrow night’s big Geels game as a sympathy gift.”