Page 28 of Seeds of Sorrow

By the time the waiter brought the decadent meals to the table, Peyton was almost in love with Piper and her cheeriness. She reminded Peyton of Melina a little, with the way she fired off a million questions at once but carried on talking without an answer. She was so bright and fun, and Peyton hoped that they really would be friends. She figured she needed one of those.

They devoured the food on their plates and sat back, both laughing as they patted their full stomachs. “It’s unfair that bloating after eating still exists, right?”

“So unfair! Why should we suffer for sustaining our bodies? I call bullshit.”

“Oh, Pey,” Piper wheezed, a fondness in her voice, “I’m so pleased you said yes to lunch today. This is the most fun I’ve had in ages. We’ll need to keep hanging out.” Peyton was about to return the sentiment when Piper clapped her hands together, making her jump slightly. “I know! You should come to the exhibition at my gallery tomorrow evening!”

Art was something that Peyton did enjoy, though she had a sinking feeling in her gut that it would mean facing Hadina. Not that she was avoiding her, but she knew there was plenty to discuss after their kiss in the kitchen, and the floodgate of emotion that had opened between them.

“I don’t know…”

“Please!” Piper begged, holding her hands together like she was praying. “It would mean the world to me.”

It was weird how swayed Peyton was to say yes, to give in to this newfound friendship in the hopes that it would form a bond between them. But Peyton could be strong—sometimes. “I wouldn’t even have anything to wear!” She shook her head when Piper opened her mouth to retort. “Besides, I don’t know if I’m ready to see Hadina in a public setting. Her ice-queen persona is terrifying enough at home.”

Piper laughed lightly. “Reina de las sombras. Queen of the shadows. I suppose it’s apt that my sister’s nicknames are always associated with queendom, don’t you think?”

“She givesoff with your headvibes for sure,” Peyton commented, earning herself a resounding cackle.

“Well, you’ll be pleased to know that Hadina has business to attend to tomorrow so she won’t be at the event. And I know the perfect place for you to get something to wear!”

Chapter20

PEYTON

Peyton didn’t thinkany of the Adis sisters had ever been toldnoin their lives—and she didn’t want to be the one to do it now. Which was how, after finishing their drinks and Piper paying for lunch, Peyton was dragged through town to a beautiful glass building. The sign read “Kloset” in bold, white lettering with a blue light illuminating it from behind.

There was no holding in her gasp as they stepped inside the gorgeous store, mannequins adorned with premium fabrics and accessories that hurt Peyton’s bank account to look at. The walls were decorated with large prints of models wearing the outfits on display, or glass shelves piled with stock ready for purchase. In the middle stood a slate-gray circular desk, three different cashiers handing branded shopping bags to the patrons swiping their cards.

“Piper, you gorgeous bitch! Please tell me you’re here to get a dress for tomorrow. I have the perfect one set aside for you.”

Peyton watched as Piper embraced the woman who spoke to her so casually to the Adis girl that it almost evoked jealousy. The woman was dressed in tight, electric-blue pants with a white halter blouse tucked into the waistband, serving as a perfect contrast to her almond skin. She wore no makeup, which Peyton could only guess was a blessing, considering how gorgeous the woman was without it.

Tucking some of her tight curls behind her ear, she peered over Piper’s shoulder and smiled when she saw Peyton. “Oh myGod! Tell me this is her, Pip. Is this who has Z in a mood and Hadina all fucked up?”

Spinning around, Piper placed her arm around the woman’s small waist and nodded. “The one and the same. Peyton, meet my dear friend, Kaira. Kai, this is Peyton Dimitra.”

The woman—Kaira—pounced forward and tugged Peyton into a hug. Taken aback, Peyton stood rigid, breathing in the scent of rose and sage, before softening into the embrace. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Kaira pulled back, her smile dazzling as she inspected Peyton from head to toe. “It’s my pleasure. Anyone who can get under the skin of one of my girls is someone I’m desperate to meet.”

Peyton flashed Piper a warning look, but she simply held up her hands in a mock surrender. “Don’t look at me. Kai’s been friends with us since we were kids. I’m not the only one who talks to her.”

Throwing her arm over Peyton’s shoulders, Kaira guided the two girls through the store to an elevator at the back, pressing the button to take them up to the third floor—clearly Kaira’s workshop. Mannequins with half-finished dresses and scraps of fabric lay discarded everywhere, with spools of untouched material leaning against whichever wall had space.

Peyton’s eyes caught on a dress displayed in front of the windows, the bottle green silhouetted by the sunlight shimmering through. Beside her, Piper let out a soft gasp. “Kaira…”

“I know, I know. I outdid myself,” the designer boasted, a playful smirk on her face.

Piper hesitantly reached out to touch the satin gown with trembling fingers. Peyton watched tears blossom in her friend’s eyes as she took it all in. It was a work of art in itself. An asymmetric scarf neck fell down the cowl back, accentuating the figure-hugging design of the satin before kicking out into a fishtail at the bottom. Peyton was sure that it would look breathtaking on Piper.

“I can’t wear this,” Piper whispered, a few stray tears slipping down her cheeks.

“You can and you will,” Kaira said with a dismissive wave of a hand. “You’ve worked really fucking hard on your gallery, babe. You deserve to have your dream dress to showcase that.”

Peyton felt her own eyes well up as she watched Piper and Kaira. The only person she had ever been close to like this was Melina, and she felt the magnitude of that loss daily. She was simultaneously jealous of the pair and their friendship, and happy that Piper had someone she was close to. Though, her curiosity was piqued by the fact that Kaira was friends with Hadina too—she didn’t think Hadina would be considered a friend to anyone.

“Thank you,” Piper sniffled delicately, which almost made Peyton laugh. The Adis sisters even made fucking crying beautiful.

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