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I think about Lorelei’s cautionary tale long after she falls asleep in front of an epic Bridgerton marathon.
Is she right? Am I just sabotaging my own happiness, by not being brave enough to demand answers from Dash?
Or should I just stay in this apartment forever, avoiding all conflict and potential rejection, alone?
I toss and turn all night, wrestling with my emotions, but I don’t wake any closer to clarity. Luckily, I’ve got plenty to put my heartache in perspective: We’re throwing a big fundraising drive today for the women’s center at a local church, and I’ve volunteered to take the morning shift.
I head over to the event and find the place already bustling. There are long trestle tables set up in the main church hall, and people are already dropping off refuse sacks of donations.
“Callie, great,” Suze greets me with a clipboard, already looking frazzled. “Can you start separating out the goods? We want clothing there, toiletries there, and kids’ stuff in the far corner.”
“Coming right up!”
I roll up my sleeves—literally—and start sorting, folding, and figuring out what needs minor mending, and what’s already heading straight for the closet of dreams back at the center.
“Ooh, look at this!” I exclaim in excitement, opening a massive box to find an array of unopened, pristine beauty products. There are even women’s razors, shower gels, and other bath stuff.
I pause, remembering Dash’s bathroom drawer. Is it weird that I miss it? Maybe it was evidence of what a player he is, but looking back now, I just remember how thoughtful he was. Getting my favorite bagels, making sure I got coffee the very first thing in the morning on our road trip.
Making sure I was taken care of first in all other ways, too.
Ahem. I shake off the memory, turning back to work.
“Where do you want these bags?”
I turn, and then almost drop the box in surprise. “Piper?” I gape, shocked to see her standing there. “What are you…? I mean, how… I mean… Hi,” I blurt.
She’s got an armful of donations, standing in her preppy jeans and little blazer.
“I can take those,” I bluster, but she smiles.
“No, it’s fine. I want to help. The bossy blonde by the door just kind of put me to work.”
“Well… Then, over here would be great.” I point to the space next to me, and Piper joins in unpacking and sorting. We fall into a rhythm, even though I’m burning up with curiosity about what she’s doing here.
“I went to your apartment,” Piper explains. “Your doorman said you were here. Although, he seems to think you’re called Celia. Another fake identity?” she adds, with a sideways glance.
I cringe. “I’m so sorry. Really. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but once it all started… It all kind of spiraled out of control.”
Piper folds, looking thoughtful. “Dash explained how he recruited you to get grandma to release the trust. He says none of it was your fault, you were just doing what he asked. Of course, now the whole thing’s backfired,” she adds, rueful. “Zelda’s furious. She’s cut him off without a dime.”
“Really?” I feel a pang of guilt.
“Don’t worry, he’ll honor all his existing commitments, to your company, too,” she adds, even though that wasn’t what I mean. “But Zelda’s not giving him a dollar more. My charming brother can’t wheedle his way out of this one.”
I feel terrible, and not just about Dash. “It wasn’t fair on you,” I say. “I really liked you. I mean, I do. I would have loved for us to stay friends, but… You probably hate me now.”
“No,” Piper argues. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not exactly thrilled about you both keeping me in the dark over the whole scheme, but… I don’t hate you.” Piper gives me a smile. “Besides, it’s not like you were really lying.”
“But I was.” I need to come clean. “He ran into me—literally—on the subway platform right after Zelda issued the ultimatum and figured I’d make the perfect fake girlfriend because there was no chance of accidentally leading me on.”
“Sure, that’s how it started, but are you honestly telling me the whole weekend was an act?” Piper challenges me. “Because I’m sorry, but if it was, then you’re wasted in the makeup industry. Get to Hollywood, and you’ll be a star in no time.”
I give a hollow laugh. “What I did, or didn’t feel, it doesn’t matter now.”
“Why not?”
