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Do I even want to know who he is?
I've sworn off men and dating. Relationships fail. People get hurt. Lives are shattered.
Why bother?
Why put in the effort if the road only leads to heartache?
Not for everyone. There are happy couples. Finn and Willow are the first to come to mind.
And their relationship wasn't easy. They had to fight their feelings. Then they fought to be together.
I'm still surprised Max didn't punch Finn when he found out. I guess there's still time. Maybe it hasn't set in yet.
Willow and Finn give me hope. That one day I might find someone who makes me want to believe in love again. Someday.
Knowing who the man in my dream is won't change how I feel right now. I'm not looking for a relationship. I'm not even looking to get laid. If anything, finding out who my mystery man is would only complicate my life.
And I don't need complicated. I have enough on my plate.
Walkingup the Palmer's driveway, a sense of dread washes over me. The last time I was here was for Mr. Palmer's wake. I felt the same heaviness in my chest that day as I do right now.
Six months ago, it was because I was hurting for my friend. She'd just lost her father and I couldn't imagine the pain she was going through. I didn't want to.
I'd always viewed Willow's family as perfect. Happy. Loving.
When that image shattered...
Today, the cloud of doom surrounding me has nothing to do with the pain I felt for Willow and her family. Not even in the slightest.
Right now, it's all about me.
Just me.
Because that's the only person I have to worry about. The only person I'm responsible for.
Little. Ole. Me.
Flying solo.
All my friends are coupled up. At the start of the summer we were an inseparable group of four fun-loving, single women. And now, the three of them are happier than I've ever seen them, in love with the Graham brothers - yes, they fell in love with brothers - and I'm showing up to these parties by myself.
I'll be the third wheel today.
I've mentally prepared for it. I tried to give myself a world-class pep talk on the drive here, but it doesn't seem to be working. The closer I get to the front door, the faster my heart beats. The more my hands shake. The weaker my knees start to feel.
My gut says, to turn around and forgo putting myself through the next few hours of torture. Of having to watch my friends smile and swoon over the men in their lives. Of being the invisible bystander in their lives.
"You gonna stand here all day?"
Shit. I've been seen. There's no running away now.
So much for being invisible.
I feel the moment he gets close enough to reach out and touch me. His scent wraps around me, my eyes closing of their own volition, as I inhale deeply.
"Piper?"
The way he says my name has always twisted me up in knots. The depth of his voice. It's strong yet a little gruff. Always confident. Almost like he knows the effect he has on me.
