“No, nothing like that.” I shake my head and keep typing. “Similar to that party you did, but on a smaller scale. I’m thinking craft nights, and shop and sips. Things to bring the community together while also supporting small business.”
“Oh, that I can get down with. We could also do a floral arranging night.”
Yes, she’s getting on the same wavelength as me. “I love it. Then it’s promoting Starlit and Whoopsie Daisy.”
“These are the ideas Pierce needs to be listening to.” Paula bumps into me with her shoulder. “The winery can’t go wrong with you leading the marketing.” She takes a bite of her salad. “By the way, how did you avoid Pierce seeing the posts you were doing?”
“I blocked him.”
“Smart.” She taps her finger to her temple.
It was the only way I could ensure he wouldn’t figure out what I was doing. Even though apparently, he already knew. I can’t believe I let them play me like that. I can usually spot the bullshit from a mile away. It’s the whole reason all of my dates usually end before they even begin.
“So, you think I should give Beau a chance to explain himself?” I’ve never been unsure of anything. Beau has also never lied to me. This feels worse than hearing Dad is retiring now and some of the siblings knowing about it.
As bad as it sounds, I expected that. There are always things being hidden within our family despite how open we are with each other. Somehow knowing something the others don’t feels like having the upper hand. When there are six of us, it’s kind of the norm.
She rolls her eyes. “I swear sometimes you can be so dense.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I know I should be offended, but she has a point. I’m just as stubborn as Pierce onceI’ve made my mind up about something. I haven’t, though…not yet.
“It means you need to talk to him. He’s your best friend, Piper. The one person you turn to for everything. Are you willing to throw away over a decade of friendship without letting him say his piece?”
Am I? The thought of never speaking to him again sends a pang of pain through my entire body. He is my calm through the madness of dealing with my siblings. The person I have more fun with than anyone I’ve ever known. Beau has always had my back whether or not I was in the right. He stands by me through everything. But he lied to me…for weeks.
“I don’t know if I can continue dating him, though. Not if he’s going to keep things from me.”
Paula wraps an arm around my shoulder, my food is all but forgotten. It’s fine. I wasn’t that hungry anyway. Not with the way Peter has been bringing all of my favorite foods the past couple of days. I didn’t even realize he knew what I liked. He’s more perceptive than I thought.
“Baby sister, that’s something you’ll have to figure out for yourself.” One last squeeze. “If I were you, I wouldn’t make any decisions until I knew the whole story. There could be a valid reason for him not saying anything.”
“I guess.”
“Well, I have to get back to work.” She picks up her food box and puts it back in the bag. Then she grabs mine and takes it to the kitchen, placing it in the fridge.
“Can I go with you?” God, I sound like a child. Now that I’ve had her here with me, I don’t want her to leave.
“Um, no. But give me just a second.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and heads toward the hallway. I’m guessing she wants a little privacy for whatever call she’s about to make.
To keep myself occupied, I check over the ideas I put in my phone moments ago. These are solid, and I swear if Pierce doesn’t listen to me, I may hit him. My methods have proved to be profitable. This will only increase it.
“Good news,” Paula says as she comes back into the living room. “The girls gave me the rest of the day off. So, I’m all yours.” She veers off to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of wine.
“Weren’t you just making sure I wasn’t day drinking?” I shake my head as she comes back with two glasses and the bottle. “And why are you drinking? The other day you said you couldn’t. Now you need to spill the beans since we’re done with boy talk.”
“Are you sure we’re done? I’m sure there’s more we could say.”
“Yes, I’m sure. Now tell me what’s going on.”
She pours the wine into the glasses and hands me one before scooting into the corner of the couch. “I thought I might have been pregnant.”
“Oh my gosh. Are you serious?” I nod toward the glass in her hand. “I’m guessing you’re not.”
“No, I’m not. I’ve just been stressed with learning the flower arrangements and living with someone that my period was later than normal.”
“Are you disappointed?” Even though she’s been putting on a happy face for me, she seems sad.
“Yes? No?” She throws a hand up in the air. “I don’t know. We aren’t actively trying. But a part of me wondered how it would feel to start a family. At the same time, he’s busy with Crooked Halo, and business at the shop is booming. Having a kid right now would not be a good idea. Plus, we really haven’t been together long.”
