Page 171 of The First Time

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Chapter Twenty-Nine

Piper

When my parents fly in for their meeting, I spend the week at Kit's place. Mal doesn't mind. My parents don't notice I'm not there.

A whole week of waking up in Kit's bed...

It's amazing.

Even so, I go back home when they leave.

For weeks, I see Kit after practice or after my shift, sometimes in my room, sometimes at his place, sometimes walking along the sand at the beach.

I get settled at work.

And in my acting class.

Life is good.

Perfect even.

Except that I'm still keeping this a secret from Ethan.

Every day, I wake up intending to tell him.

Every night, I fall asleep thinkingtomorrow.

It's going to happen.

Soon.

Really soon.

* * *

I'm goingto tell Ethan.

Now is as good a time as any.

Even if I'm sitting on the couch, the new couch, at his new place, at his housewarming party.

He and Violet have lived here a month but they've only just got the place put together enough to host.

He's pointing to the open bedroom door. The room's walls are a deep purple. Even from here, I can see that the bed has a dark satin bedspread.

It's a goth girl's paradise. It's pure Violet

But then I'm sure Violet's bed is paradise for Ethan, no matter what color the comforter and sheets.

I guess it'stheirbed not hers.

"Pipes, hey. You okay?" Ethan taps me on the shoulder. He nods to the bottles of whiskey and vodka on the clean kitchen counter. "You get started early?"

I shake my head. Aside from Rory's party, I haven't done much drinking... well, ever.

"Come look at the office." Ethan grabs my hand and pulls me off the couch.

Once I follow, he lets go of my hand and slides his arms around Violet. He leans in to whisper something in her ear.

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