Page 72 of Moth Manager
“I’m about to make it my business.” Anam puts her arms akimbo. She’s barely five feet tall but somehow manages to seem intimidating.
“You do not know me well enough to talk to me like this.” Colin says to her.
Colin opens his mouth, but closes it quickly when the other two women step forward. Kelly already has her phone out to dial someone. Ever the reasonable one.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you.” Bailey crosses her arms, looking not unlike a mafia boss. I think Sacha might have rubbed off on her.
Collin’s face is red. He looks ready to scream but his voice comes out deadly calm. “I was leaving anyway. We can talk about this later, Piper.” He storms down the sidewalk.
I wipe a tear from under my glasses.
“Are you alright, babe?” Bailey asks. I step away from her arm. I just can’t stand to be touched right now.
“He didn’t used to be like this.” I have to pause and sniff in the middle of my sentence. I don’t know why I feel the need to defend him.
“He was always a bit like this.” Anam rolls her eyes.
Kelly scowls in her direction.
“I’m sorry, but he was always kind of an ass. And you are better off without him!” Anam throws her hands up in the air.
“No argument there.” An awkward little laugh breaking through my tears. “I was so stupid to date him.”
“No. You weren’t.” Kelly says quietly.
“We’ve all dated the wrong guy before.” Bailey pipes up.
“I’m sorry you had to come to my rescue.” I try to stop my voice from cracking. “I’m ruining the evening.” They shouldn’t have to be here for me.
“Oh, Piper. No, sweetie. You aren’t,hedid.” Bailey shakes her head. “Can we do anything?”
“I’m fine.” I smile, although I know it isn’t convincing. “I’m okay. I just didn’t expect to see him tonight.” I end my sentence with a broken sob that turns into a hiccup. I can’t help but laughing at the sound.
Anam bites her lip, trying to hide her amusement, and then she hugs me.
“Why don’t I give you a ride home?” Bailey offers.
“I can order a ride.” I hold up my phone.
“No. Don’t be silly. Sacha gave me his driver for the evening. It’s pointless if I don’t even get drunk tonight.” She takes my hand. “And I’m not sending you home in some stranger’s car.”
I let her take me. She smartly doesn’t try to make smalltalk on our way to my apartment, and she drops me off and waits for me to get inside. I can’t help checking the rooftops, one more time, for a familiar shadow again—still nothing. I can’t stand the idea of being alone tonight.
25
PONTIUS
Piper: Where are you?
I stare at the message on my phone. My chest squeezes. She’s messaging me. She’s contacting me!
Me: I’m at home.
Piper: Really? Prove it.
I snap a quick selfie with my apartment visible in the background and send it to her.
Piper: Doesn’t prove anything. Take a photo with a spoon on your head.
