Page 68 of Pierced Pages
What she didn’t want to tell the woman was that things were mostly just different. Hard still, although not quite so, but in different ways.
Danielle thought about Lila at Melanie and Kim’s house and wondered how things were going. She shouldn’t worry. She knew Lila was in excellent hands there. Still, she could never shake that unsettled feeling, whether she was there or with Rylee or anywhere else. The only reason she didn’t worry about Lila at school was that she was too busy teaching her own classes to think much about it.
She knew it wasn’t healthy. She knew she needed to let go mentally. But it was just so hard. Being a single parent meant that all the responsibility for her kid’s safety fell on her. She never regretted raising Lila on her own, but it was a lot—emotionally, at least—some days. Even thirteen years in.
Danielle hung back as everyone filed out of the church, then she joined the stream to exit with the last of them. She foundMorgan standing off to the side in the grass beside a sidewalk and a giant azalea bush covered in bright fuchsia blooms, and her heart fluttered in her rib cage.
“Hey,” she said, immediately regretting the word, as if there had been some better option for a greeting.
“Hey,” Morgan replied with a slightly crooked grin. “You made it.”
“I made it,” she said, then added, “You look lovely in that dress.”
“Thanks.” Morgan looked down at herself, her hands smoothing over the A-line waist. “I look ridiculous… for me. It’s just not me, you know. But at least it’s comfortable.”
“Comfort is good. As much as you can ask for from these things.”
She’d been an attendant at Melanie and Kim’s wedding, but she’d been allowed to pick out her own dress style. They picked the color, a deep blue for the winter ceremony, and she, Gerri, and Kim’s oldest friend each got to pick from a variety of styles. Danielle wished all weddings could be like that, but at least Morgan had ended up with a dress that made her feel comfortable. Physically, at least.
“Well, I’d better get over to the church before the wedding planner threatens to serve me up with the catering for being late.”
Danielle laughed and nodded toward the parking lot. “Can’t have that.”
They got in Danielle’s car and headed toward the reception hall together, falling into an easy conversation about how their days had been so far. Danielle got to hear about how Morgan’s sister loved her new earrings, which reminded her of what she’d wanted to say ever since she’d been distracted by seeing Morgan again.
“Thanks again for my pair,” Danielle said. “They match perfectly.”
Danielle kept her attention on the road, but out of the corner of her eye she could see a little spark of pride in Morgan’s expression.
“You wore them?”
“Of course, I did.” She tucked a chunk of hair behind her ear to show off one. “See? I don’t know how you did it, but it’s like they were made for this dress.”
“Glad you like them.”
“Ilovethem.”
They chatted the rest of the way to the hall, dipping in and out of topics—Lila, Jen, Reginald, book club—easily like they were old friends falling into step. There was a comfortable ease to their interaction, and Danielle was glad to be part of this moment of peace for Morgan. She’d been acutely aware of the looks Morgan was getting as they stood outside. Whether it was because of her piercings, or Danielle at her side, or whatever familial rift Morgan had hinted at, Danielle couldn’t be certain. Whatever it was, Danielle was glad she’d taken Morgan up on her request.
They pulled into a parking spot, and Morgan took a second to breathe before exiting the car.
“Sorry I have to abandon you in there for a little while. We’re supposed to take photos by the gazebo and river out back before the dances and all of that.”
“Abandon is a strong word,” she said. “I’ll find our seats and check in with Melanie and Kim and Lila while I wait for you.”
“I’ll come find you as soon as I can.”
“No worries,” Danielle said. “Just save me a dance.”
She regretted the words the moment they exited her mouth. Because they were here as friends. That kiss and Danielle’s feelings might have been changing things between them, butthere was nothing more to it for this night, at least. Especially to the outside world. The last thing Danielle wanted was to cause Morgan any more stress with her family.
But her regret faded as a single word fell from Morgan’s lips.
“Absolutely.”
Chapter 31
Morgan
