Page 95 of On My Side
“Is it because of how everyone treated you when you got pregnant?” Jo continues. “It makes a lot of sense if it is. People screwed you the hell over, and trauma is a bitch.”
I inhale shakily, thinking about the fantasy Eva made me imagine for my future. All the things I want, but have never dared to try for. “Piper wants to go to a summer program at Juilliard, and I’m not sure of what the scholarship situation is like, but tuition is… expensive.” My stomach turns as I remember the website Piper texted me the other day.
“You don’t have to choose between you and your daughter,” Hunter says gently. “Hell, youshouldn’t. I remember everything my momma said about every wrinkle on her face, and I’m still unlearning what she said about herself. Don’t you want Piper seeing her mom going to a conference that will further the career that means a lot to her? So she knows it’s okay to do the same?”
“Of course I want her to know it’s okay to put herself first,” I reply. “I’m just… still learning how to do that myself.”
“Life is nothing if not learning and growing. And if it isn’t a little uncomfy, are you growing?” Damn, Podcast Bro Hunter has a point.
“Okay.” I slowly spin my chair to face Jo and Hunter. “Okay,” I repeat.
“Okay?” Hunter prompts.
“Okay, you can pay. But I want to pay you back when…”
“If you try to do that I’m giving the money to Piper for her to use for Juilliard,” Jo says in a voice that makes it crystal clear she’s dead serious.
“No, that’s…”
“You invested in our business, Audrey,” Hunter interrupts. “Why the fuck wouldn’t we want to invest in yours? You created something beautiful with the SandPiper Inn. It’s time for you to give yourself the same TLC you’ve given your business and your daughter.”
I blink back tears. “I don’t… I don’t like owing people.”
“You don’t,” Jo says simply. “I’ll have my lawyer draw up a contract if you want.”
I laugh and lift my glasses to wipe at my eyes. I did the absolute bare minimum before coming to the office this morning, and the bare minimum didnotinclude putting in contacts. “I… thank you.”
“Can I give you a hug?” Hunter asks, spreading her arms out.
I get to my feet and embrace her. Goddamn, she’s shorter than Piper.
“This is amazing,” she says, voice muffled by my cleavage. “I’m at perfect motorboating height.”
“Oh my god,” Jo groans, rolling her eyes affectionately. I giggle. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I don’t havezerofriends.
I arrive for the launch party early, going into the event space and making sure everything is being set up correctly. Hunter and Joare providing various pride flag pins for openly queer attendees, so I pin a bi flag onto my lapel.
Slowly, guests start filling the room, and of course, Ren is one of the first to arrive.
Fuck.
This man is gorgeous in every situation I’ve ever seen him in, but him wearing a suit has me weak in the knees.
He meets my eyes, then quickly looks away and my heart sinks. I think about everything he told me, about everything I talked about with Hunter and Jo.
I have no idea what to do.
Chapter 31
Ren
Playlist: Strawberry Wine | Noah Kahan
Audrey is unbelievably breathtaking tonight.
It makes me want to vomit.
“Hey.” I slide next to Leo, who’s leaning against the wall, eyes on his phone.
