Anam and Bay break into a long conversation about animal adoption. Anam might not be ready to commit to a man, but she seems like she might be ready to commit to a kitten.
I leave them to circle the room. Two glasses of white wine later I think I’ve put in plenty of face time for artwork I could never afford.
Kelly appears beside me in an almost panicked state, her boyfriend, Jeremy, behind her with a tense smile. He’s tall, white, handsome, and has an excellent hairline. If the two of them ever decide to have babies, they are going to be the most gorgeous little things.
Kelly wraps me in a tight hug. “He’s here,” is the first thing that she whispers into my ear. “I’m so sorry. I have no idea how he found out about it?—“
“Hi! Hello! Congrats on the show! Who are you talking about?” I laugh.
I make eye contact with Colin the second the words have left my mouth.
1 I absolutely wouldn’t wear them.
24
PIPER
“You cannot be serious.” I mutter into Kelly’s ear, who refuses to break the hug. “What is he doing here?
Colin is already walking over to us. What, the crap, is happening?
“I have to go. I’m going to call it a night. I can’t handle him right now.” I tell Kelly. “Your work is amazing. You are amazing. Congratulations, babe!” I fill the last part in quickly before I practically race for the exit. I see Kelly intercepting Colin as I turn away.
I quickly text my friends that I am leaving on my way out the door. I don’t see them, but I’m sure they are entertaining each other. Bailey won’t have any trouble getting home on her own.
It got dark while I was attempting to socialize. When my feet hit the slightly damp concrete, the smell of petrichor hits me. It rained while I was inside. The night is cool and wet, I wrap my arms around myself. The light flickers faintly in the distance and a different type of chill hits me. A loose wire in a street light probably. Or it could be…I shove my glasses up my nose, lean against the wall, and scan the shadows of the buildings across the street, searching the rooftops for a Mothman silhouette.There are a few things—fuzzy blotches that could almost maybe be someone. None of it is him.
Crap. I have to stop hoping that I’m going to see him. I told him to stay away, and he’s only doing what I asked.
I force my eyes closed and take a deep breath. I’m not exactly sober, but I can’t tell if the alcohol or the panic of running into Colin is affecting me more. Between Ant and Colin, I know who I’d rather see right now.
I take a couple more breaths, savoring how blessedly quiet it is out here.
“Piper.” A voice pops up in front of me. Without opening my eyes I recognize it. “Can we talk?”
“What are you doing here?” I keep my eyes closed.
“Kelly and Jeremy have been my friends as long as they were yours. The invite was online.” Colin's voice is smooth, like he knew this meeting was inevitable. I wish I’d had some indication it would happen.
My eyes finally pop open. “You are supposed to be in New York. Several thousand miles from here.”
“The start-up folded a month after I got there.” Colin says.
“I’m sorry,” I say, even though I don’t mean it. “You could have told me you were back.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to see me.”
“I don’t.” I laugh unexpectedly. Caught off guard by the sound, I laugh again, at my own laugh.
Colin flinches. “Well, you got rid of the rest of my stuff. What was I supposed to do?”
“It’s safe and sound in your storage locker!”
He gives me a pitying look, like he thinks I am crazy. “I didn’t forget about it. I was coming back for it.”
“How would I know? You didn’t call or text. You never told me an address for me to ship it.” I swallow hard.
“There wasn’t room for extra baggage in New York,” Colin protests.
