Page 19 of Seaside Hideaway

Audrey forced a smile, trying to push her doubts aside. “It’s just the nature of the industry, I guess. People love a good story.”

Hours later, when Lisa had fallen asleep in the guest room, Audrey was still up, unable to resist the urge to turn on the TV and find one of those entertainment news channels. It didn’t take long for images from the event to appear, and Audrey found herself glued to the screen, watching Piper navigate the red carpet with ease. The sight of her in that tailored black blazer was even more striking on screen. Audrey couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride mixed with apprehension as she watched Piper interact with other celebrities, poised and confident.

As the camera panned out, showing the bustling crowd and flashing lights, Audrey tried to imagine herself in that world. She thought about the peace she found in her garden, the simple joy of a well-brewed cup of coffee in the morning, and the comfort of her routines. How could she ever fit into Piper’s world?

The news segment shifted to a live interview with Piper, her bright smile lighting up the screen. The reporter asked about her current projects and her thoughts on the future of LGBTQ+ representation in film. Piper spoke with passion and clarity, her answers thoughtful and measured, and it all felt a little surreal. This was the woman Audrey had spent every night with for the past week. This amazing, talented, gorgeous woman.

When the interview concluded, the camera shifted back to the red carpet, where more celebrities were arriving. Audrey turned off the TV, suddenly feeling exhausted.

Audrey knew she needed to be honest with herself and Piper. This wasn’t just about their age difference. It was about their worlds colliding in a way that felt almost insurmountable.

15

The reception hall buzzed with conversation and laughter as Piper weaved her way through the crowd, a glass of white wine in hand. She’d been looking forward to this moment all day—a chance to catch up with Evelyn Coleman, her close friend, and former co-star, without the pressures of the red carpet or the intensity of the panel discussion.

She spotted Evelyn near the far wall, chatting with another actress. As if sensing Piper’s gaze, Evelyn looked up, her face breaking into a wide grin. She excused herself and made her way over to Piper.

“There you are!” Evelyn said, pulling Piper into a quick hug. “I thought we’d never get a moment to ourselves.”

Piper laughed, returning the embrace. “I know.”

“Come on, let’s find a quiet corner where we can catch up.”

They settled into a secluded alcove, the chatter of the reception fading into a pleasant background hum. Piper took a sip of her wine, savoring the crisp, refreshing taste.

“So, how’s Claire?” Piper asked. She’d met Evelyn’s partner in England just a few months ago. She was over visiting Evelyn for the weekend.

Evelyn’s smile reached her eyes. “She’s great. Actually, I have some news. I proposed last month, and she said yes.”

Piper’s eyes widened. “Evelyn, that’s amazing! Congrats!”

Evelyn beamed, her happiness contagious. “Thank you. We’re keeping it quiet for now, but I wanted you to know.”

“I’m so happy for you both.”

“Keep the end of May open next year,” Evelyn said with a wink. “You’ll be getting an invite.”

Piper grinned. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“What’s new with you?”

Piper told her about the beach house and the renovations. But then she took a deep breath. “I wanted to ask you for some advice.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“I think met someone.”

Evelyn’s face lit up with a smile. “You think?”

Piper laughed softly. “I like her. A lot. But she has reservations. We’re actually neighbors. That’s how we met. When I got to the beach house, she was working in the garden. She was taking care of my grandmother’s garden since she passed.”

Evelyn studied Piper. “What’s her name?”

“Audrey.” Piper sighed. “She’s older than me, and it bothers her, even though it doesn’t matter to me. And she’s not in the industry, which means bringing her into this crazy world of ours...”

Evelyn grinned as she shook her head. “This is sounding an awful lot like myself and Claire.” Evelyn was quiet for a moment, considering Piper’s words. “Piper, if she makes you happy, that’s what matters. The age thing? It’s just a number. And as for the publicity side of things, it’s all about being honest and setting boundaries. Talk to her. Work together to find a balance that works for both of you. Sometimes, Claire comes to events like this with me. Sometimes she doesn’t. We both made sacrifices to make it work.”

“You moved to another country for her.”

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