Page 156 of Dangerous Encore
10
Lacey
Piper's sedanis idling atthecurb.
She's in thedriver'sseat.
Bella's in thepassengerseat.
The two of them are laughing aboutsomething.
Whichisgood.
Today is going to be agoodday.
Even ifomg, I'm really not inviting my parents to my weddingwon't get out ofmyhead.
I'm finding mydress.
I'm having fun with people whosupportme.
Period.
I love my friends. Video production is still a male-dominated industry. I don't meet a lot of women throughmyjob.
It's nice having female friends who arenearby.
Especially at a time like this. Bella and Piper know clothes. They don't ascend to Violet levels of personal style (the woman is practically a Pinterest board), but they always look pretty and put-together.
They'll help me find adress.
Maybe even figure out what to do withmyhair.
Piper gets out of the car with a take-out cup in hand. She moves around the trunk, meets me halfway up the steps, and pulls me into a tight hug. "I'm so excited. Are youexcited?"
I nod. Excited. Andnervous.
Piper releases me then offers me the take-out cup. "Green tea, with a littlehoney."
"Thanks." I take a sip as I follow Piper to the car. A little honey? Really? This drink is practically honey with a touch ofgreentea.
Piper has aproblem.
Bella laughs as she takes in my expression. "I told you it wastoomuch."
"Maybe a little." Piper pulls on her seatbelt. "I'll drink it if you don't like it. We can stop and get yousomethingelse."
"So you can have coffee number five," Bellateases.
"Well, while I'm there…" Piper smiles as she turns back to the steeringwheel.
Bella turns to me. "You're the guest of honor. I should give up the passengerseat,but…"
"You're already pullingI'm a tired pregnantwoman?"
She adjusts her dark frames. "Iamtired. Hermoine saps every bit of my energy." She rests her hand on her stomach. "She's going to bedifficult."
"Well, yeah. She's half Joel." Piperlaughs.
