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"It's not about Micah, Lex. Not exactly, anyway." Letting out a sigh, I relent myself to the fact I need to tell Lex what's going on, so she doesn't blame herself for the fucked-up situation I'm in. It's no one’s fault but my parents. "It's my parents. They're getting a divorce."
"What? Since when?"
"Since I went home this summer. It's why I came back early. Why they ended their anniversary trip. My mom asked for a divorce."
"And when you got back, I was in a relationship. Which is why you didn't feel you could talk to me."
Yes and no. I might have talked to her that night, when the wound was fresh, but in the weeks following, it was the last thing I wanted to discuss.
"I'm sorry, Piper. I really am. And I don't mean to sound insensitive, but that's it? That's what's been causing you to look like an empty version of yourself?"
"You don't get it. They're divorcing. Everything I thought I knew about love was a lie."
I keep my voice flat, void of all emotions, as I stare at the wall behind her head. I keep my focus there and attempt to disconnect myself from the conversation, from the words leaving my mouth. If I don't, I know I'm going to break down. I don't have time for that right now. I need to keep my focus.
I'm due at the restaurant in an hour. Bloodshot, puffy eyes aren't a good look for anyone. And it would only cause people to ask more questions.
"That's just it, I do get it. I know you idolized your parents. They're great people, and they loved each other. But sometimes love isn't enough. Sometimes it isn't meant to last. And sometimes, someone does something to shatter it. Just because they couldn't make it work anymore, doesn't mean you won't find someone to make it work with. Look at me and Micah. If I let my parents dictate how I viewed love, I'd be the poster child for broken relationships. I never even knew my dad. My stepdad was a jerk and treated my mom like he owned her.
"Which is why I didn't step into this relationship lightly. I made rules. I made him work for it. Made him prove that he felt the way he did because his reputation preceded him. I didn't want a relationship with Micah at first. He was supposed to be a one-night stand. Only he wouldn't give up. And as annoying as it was, I'm glad he didn't. If he had, we wouldn't be together. I was letting my experience from the past dictate my future. I don't want that for you. I don't want you to let the one slip through your fingers because you've lost hope."
It feels like she's talking about Julian. Or maybe it's because he's the first person who comes to mind.
Have I lost hope?
Am I letting my parents’ failures prevent me from falling in love? From even giving love a chance?
I know the answer to my questions. I don't want to admit it to myself, but I know I pushed him away because of my fears. Because I associate pain with love when I should associate love with joy. With warmth.
"Do you wanna tell me what happened?" Lex asks, taking my hand in hers.
And for the first time in a long time, I answer her honestly. "Yeah, I do."
For the next thirty minutes, I detail my parents’ failed marriage. From the infidelity to the night they broke the news to me. Lex listens as I rush around the room, printing the recipes I was working on and changing my clothes. By the time I have to walk out the door, we've both shed a few tears, but my heart feels lighter than it has in months.
"You're going to be fine; you know that, right?" she asks as I grab my keys from the hook by the door.
"I do. In time."
"Good. See you when you get home?"
"Will you be here?" It's Friday night. Those are generally reserved for date night with Micah.
"Yup. I'm canceling on Micah, and we're going to watch a sappy movie and eat junk food. Sound good to you?"
Sounds perfect.
And it was the perfect plan. Until I decided to burn my hand at work. Which meant Julian had to rush me to the emergency room to get checked out, even though I protested.
And since I didn't have my insurance card in my purse, he had to call Alexis to bring it to me. Not a big deal, except she doesn't own a car, so she called Micah to give her a ride.
Micah, who knows nothing about Julian and I working together because we've been keeping this a secret from our friends. Or so I thought. Because he doesn't look the least bit surprised to see Julian standing next to me when he walks in with a panicked Alexis. And he certainly doesn't look shocked by the fact that I'm wearing a chef coat embroidered with the same logo Julian's sporting.
"Is this what you two do on Friday nights because I have to say, I can think of about a billion things that would be more fun."
