The pilot met him at the door.
“Evening,” he said. Then, as if it were routine, “Everyone on this flight has signed an NDA. As far as we are concerned, you don’t exist.”
Piper nodded.
“Of course.”
***
The flight to Seattle was two and a half hours of anticipation for Piper.
He didn’t sleep or open his laptop. He sat in the window seat with his hands folded and let the engine noise fill the space where second thoughts would have gone.
The car was waiting on the tarmac when they landed. Noah had arranged the whole trip and the security provisions needed.
Seattle was dark, wet and quiet in a way Los Angeles never was. The city didn’t feel like it was watching him like L.A. did.
The car crossed the floating bridge toward Mercer Island, a suburb just outside of Seattle.
Piper noticed how beautiful it was. He had flown into Seattle dozens of times and never really experienced it, never truly took it in. The rain-soaked streets, the low clouds, the way the lights reflected off the water. It looked real, honest, like it had a pulse. Nothing like the sharp edges of Los Angeles.
Noah’s house sat low against the water. Glass and dark wood.
The driver opened the door. Piper stepped out into the cold air.
Then he walked to the door and knocked. Noah opened it in gray sweats and barefoot.
“You came. Honestly, I didn’t think you would be so spontaneous.”
Piper stood in the doorframe and the only thing he thought to do was smile.
“Shut the fuck up, Noah, and kiss me,” Piper said.
Noah leaned in, embraced Piper, and softly kissed him on the lips. “I missed you. Come in.”
Noah closed the door.
They stood there, silent for a moment.
Noah stepped closer slowly.
“I’m glad you came. You okay?”
Piper let out a breath.
“Better now.”
“Good,” Noah said.
He reached for Noah and pulled him closer.
The new sex playlist Noah built started.A Public Affairby Jessica Simpson. Piper laughed as he moved closer to Noah.
The kiss was not gentle this time, and was not rushed.
Noah walked him backward until Piper’s back hit the wall. His hands slid under Piper’s coat, pushing it off his shoulders.
Jessica Simpson’s voice filled the room. “New sex playlist? Who fucks to Jessica Simpson?” Piper laughed.
