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Derek: It feels like we’re hurting each other. I can’t keep doing it.
Piper: Are we still partners?
Derek: We can make that work. Sorry this has to be that way.
Piper: I understand. You’ll find someone extraordinary who’ll love you the way you deserve.
ChapterSixty-Six
Piper
August 21st
Trying to date becomes impossible when I’m dealing with a broken heart. The only one who ends up dating is Seth. He does it for more than six months, and though he deserves a medal, everyone wants to slap him until he snaps out of his trance. He’s dating a Hollywood bitch.
Thanks to him, Grace’s wedding is a clusterfuck.
A big, giant clusterfuck.
At least, that’s how it looks from the bridal suite, where I can watch security fighting with a disruptive guest. Gabe texts me the commentaries. He’s watching this live and not recording it because we don’t need the bad publicity.
I feel like it’s my fault.
Archer’s letter suggesting I date goes completely wrong.
Wrong, as in I lose Derek’s friendship, Gabe has a nervous breakdown, and Seth begins to date Coco LeBlanc. I feel like all those things could’ve been avoided if I hadn’t opened the letter or read it aloud.
Well, there was one good thing that came out of the ordeal. Gabe finally sought a therapist.
The other two things might continue to be broken for eternity. Derek and I will never be the same. The entire Decker family is dealing with Seth’s girlfriend, and she’s like a bad parasite that can’t get a hint and just leave on her own.
“Are you okay?” Grace asks as Winnie and I help her with her makeup.
Aunt Ainsley, Mom, and Aunt Pria should be here soon to help her with the dress. Since I don’t want any attention on me, I deflect by looking at my sister. “She’s right, Winnie. I haven’t asked. How are you dealing?” I point toward the mannequin. “The veil is adorable, but this is your first big wedding. Are you nervous?”
Winnie glares at me. “She’s talking to you.”
“I am talking to you, Piper Christine,” Grace confirms.
“Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Grace shrugs. “You look distracted.”
“Coco invited herself to your wedding,” I whisper.
“Hide my knives, and I might not kill her,” Grace answers, giving me an innocent smile. “Why is Seth still with her?”
To avoid dating Teddy, I think, but I don’t say it. Seth’s feelings for Teddy are like Archer’s disappearance. We don’t talk about them out loud. They’re the big fluorescent elephant in the room.
“Do you know what I think is funny?” Winnie glances at me.
“Please, enlighten us.”
“You were supposed to be the one dating other people, and you never did.”
I clamp my lips shut because I tried. I actually put on my big girl panties and texted Derek. I was ready to do it, but then he reminded me that he has a dangerous job and that any day I could get a call from his asshole partner saying, “Sorry, he’s dead. Good luck with the next guy.”
And then there’s the asshole partner, Finnegan Gil. One moment he’s offering me a relationship with him and Derek, and the next, he’s treating it like a business transaction to get laid. No emotions, just sex.
