Page 61 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

Chapter Seventeen

PIPER

Training Wheels

After saying a way too long goodbye to my brother and Torran, I let Ford take my hand and lead me back across the square. Even with the sun long set, the summer heat still clung to my skin. Perspiration rolled down between the center of my bra and soaked the thin fabric of my shirt.

When we reached my apartment door, I hesitated. A big part of me wanted him to come inside. See what kind of a kisser he was. Yet that knot that always sat low in my chest weighed heavier tonight. I wasn’t quite sure if I was ready for any of this.

‘Uh, do you want to come inside?’

Sensing my awkward pause, he said, ‘Let me show you something first.’

He led me to an opaque glass door at the end of the hall and pushed it open revealing a circular wrought-iron staircase. I followed him up the steps and out to the roof. The view spilled out all the way to the city line. I’d never seen Ivy Falls from this vantage point. It was such a sweet collection of eclectic storefronts with the fountain at the center of it all, gurgling out its regular tune. Overhead the sky was black velvet with a handful of stars tossed up against it like silvery glitter.

‘Diego did not show me this feature of the building,’ I said.

‘I’m not sure it’s a feature. When I first came up here there were old fast-food wrappers, a few broken folding chairs, like no one had used the space in years.’

I walked to the edge of the roof and pulled in a full breath. The air was cooler up here, and it helped that a light breeze moved through the night. Lights in the gazebo and over the stage went out. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen Ivy Falls this quiet.

‘Does the town hold events like this a lot?’ he asked.

‘Yes. We have a fall festival. A Christmas tree lighting. Egg roll in the spring on the lawn in front of town hall. You just missed the big Fourth of July parade and fireworks.’

Mentioning the holiday always made acid rise in my throat. Two years later and the memory of that night still hurt like a wasp’s sting.

‘It’s nice that people want to participate. Spend time together.’

‘They don’t do that in Harpeth Manor?’

‘Only if it revolves around golf or society gatherings like the debutante ball.’

‘Debutante? Girls still do that?’

‘It’s gone from a formal society thing to more of a scholarship event, but they still make escorts wear a tux with tails.’

‘I bet you looked good in white tie.’

He grimaced. ‘It is really not my best look.’

‘Scrubs then?’

‘Not even that. Those things can be scratchy if they haven’t been properly washed.’

I set my elbows on the roof wall. The glow of the few lights on in the businesses gave the square a golden hue. Ivy Falls was nice during the day but at night it felt magical.

‘What was it like growing up here?’ he asked.

‘I’m not going to lie. It was sort of idyllic. As kids we could roam free. Ride our bikes everywhere. My favorite childhood memories are of hanging out at the P&P. My mom loved the shop and adored Mrs Wright.’

‘Tessa and Torran’s mom?’

‘Yes, she owned it first. Sadly, she passed away a few years back. Left it to Tessa. It was one of the first places we checked out after we moved here. My mom took me to the picture books. Mrs Wright introduced Beck to Torran that day. He swears it was love at first sight.’

‘Now they’re getting married. That’s like a fairy tale.’

‘They’ve been through a lot.’ I flipped my hair back, rubbed at my wrist. The knowledge that they almost didn’t get their happy ending because of me was always a stab to the heart. ‘How are you liking Ivy Falls?’ I said, desperate to change the subject.