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“Is that a big deal?”
“It’s a big deal,” I say, realizing Piper won’t brag about herself. “And the head of the label offered it to her himself.”
“Wait,” Alex says. “Is this the promotion you were talking about?”
“Yeah,” Piper replies.
Alex grins. “I told you that you’d get it!”
“Get what?” Dakota reappears, passing me and Piper our drinks and then settling in an open chair.
“Piper got a promotion,” Norah says. “She’ll be discovering new artists, like she’s always talked about.”
A wrinkle forms between Dakota’s eyes, then gradually smooths out as she looks at her daughter. “Oh, that’s wonderful, honey. Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I feel like I’m missing something in their dynamic, but I’m not sure what.
“Well, while we’re sharing big news…” Wells glances at Norah. “We’re moving to Alaska!”
You could hear a pin drop in the silence that follows.
“What?” Dakota finally says. The dismay on her face is obvious.
“AlaskaAlaska?” Alex questions.
Wells nods. “We’ve always wanted to visit, and Norah got a job offer at a hospital there. Once I get through the training, I’ll be working as a park ranger. Before we really settle down and have kids, we wanted to try something different. You all are welcome to visit, of course.”
No one seems to know what to say. For a family that’s this close-knit and has always lived within miles of each other, this must be a massive shock.
“That’s awesome,” I say, breaking the silence. “I went salmon fishing with some buddies up there a few years back. One of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited.”
“Thanks, Kyle,” Wells says, shooting me a grateful look. “If you’re ever back up there, make sure to look us up.”
I nod. “I will.”
The short exchange seems to jolt Piper’s family out of their surprise. Soon, the room is filled with chatter and laughter again as Wells and Norah get pelted with questions about their upcoming move.
Amid the commotion, Piper’s hand finds my knee and squeezes it.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
PIPER
The door swings shut, and I lock the dead bolt.
“Nice place,” he comments.
“Thanks.” My heart pounds so loudly that I’m worried he can hear it as I toe off my shoes and drop my keys in the bowl by the door.
Kyle wanders deeper into my apartment, looking around the living space. It’s entirely open concept with the kitchen, eating nook, and laundry to the left and the couch and television to the right.
“Want anything to eat? Drink?” I walk over to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water out for myself.
“I’m good, thanks.” He’s studying the spines of the books on the shelves. They’re mostly Serena’s thick law volumes.
