Page 199 of The First Time
I'm about to go explain when Piper leans in to hug me.
She wraps her arms around me and squeezes tightly.
I'm shaking.
I had no fucking idea I was shaking.
"Are you okay?" she whispers.
No. But, for the first time, I believe I'm gonna get there.
* * *
After we update Joel,he makes an obviously fake excuse about needing to make a call.
Piper and I get coffee at the cart in front of the building, mine black, hers full of cream and sugar.
She lets out a sigh of pleasure as she takes a sip. "I need this caffeine." Her lips curl into a smile. "Is there anything better than coffee when you're dead tired?"
A few things. The smile on her face, for starters. The way my body feels light and warm around her. The way she blows away all the ugly grey clouds obscuring the blue sky.
It's a nice day today. Warm. Sunny. Not a single cloud in the blue sky.
I know she can't control the weather, but it feels that way.
She stakes another sip of her coffee and lets out another sigh. "Yours good?"
It's okay coffee. Her company makes it great. "It is."
"You must be tired. You only got a few hours of sleep."
"You too."
She nods. Her blue eyes fill with affection. She looks at me then looks to the courtyard around the corner. "Should we sit?"
"Sure." I take her hand to lead her down the concrete path.
The courtyard is tiny—two concrete tables with concrete benches, half a dozen rows of purple and pink flowers—but it's perfect. It's like her, a bright spot in an otherwise dreary day.
I know it's a gorgeous, sunny day, but this whole fucking thing is ugly and grey.
She's been the sunshine in my life all year.
I left her place thinking my heart was dust. It's okay. If anything, the glue holding it together is fused in place.
I'm in one piece.
I really believe I'm going to stay that way.
Maybe that's enough...
She takes her seat on the concrete bench, sets her coffee on the table, and pats the spot next to her.
I sit. Even through my jeans, the concrete is cold. But she's warm. She takes my arm and rests her head on my shoulder.
Her voice is soft, sweet. "You should be the one with your head on my shoulder."
"I like it like this." I run my fingers over her palm, reveling in the way it makes her lips twitch with need.
