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“Hey, I didn’t lie. Brynn is a friend, and she’s covering for someone at the diner tonight. Let’s go get Mama a shake.”
Lady’s ears perked up. Pippa smiled and tucked her phone in her pocket as she got to her feet. A wave of dizziness swam through her. She reached out to steady herself on the arm of the couch as Lady barked.
“Check me, girl.”
Lady sniffed and licked her hand. All clear. Must have got up too quick. And she hadn’t eaten much lately either. But that would stop now. She was going to take better care of herself.
Pippa grabbed Lady’s leash and set her alarm before locking up behind them. She walked down the steps towards the street, sweat beading on her brow. It was still so hot and muggy. Perfect evening for a swim at the beach.
Dark clouds moved to cover the sun, mirroring her emotional state. Spoke too soon.
She inhaled, the air wet and charged with energy. Looks like a storm. She hurried down the street, not wanting to risk getting caught in a downpour.
She slipped into the diner, the bell above the door ringing. Brynn looked up and offered her a friendly, yet reserved smile. Pippa took one of the blue seats at the counter, and Lady settled in beside her.
“What can I get you?” Brynn asked, taking out her pad of paper and pen.
“A peanut butter chocolate milkshake, a burger for Lady—just the meat, and an order of fries.”
“Coming right up.” Brynn ripped the paper off and walked back to the window leading to the kitchen where she slipped Pippa’s order to the cook. She got to work making the milkshake while Pippa tapped the navy-blue Formica countertop.
“Here you go.” Brynn slid the drink to her.
“Thank you.” Pippa took the first sip and sighed. “This is just what I needed.”
Brynn’s brows drew together. “You okay?”
Pippa stirred her drink with the straw as she debated whether or not to share. But Brynn had begun opening up to her at work with small talk, which didn’t seem like much, but Pippa got the feeling it was everything to someone like Brynn.
“I’m just missing Aspen.” And Mason. “I wondered how she was doing after everything.”
Brynn leaned in and nodded over Pippa’s shoulder. “Why don’t you ask her for yourself?”
Pippa turned around. A strawberry-blond head peeked out over the booth in the far right corner. David sat across from her.
Pippa got up, searching the room for the girl’s father, but he was nowhere to be seen. Would he be mad at Pippa? She just wanted to see for herself that Aspen was well. To say goodbye.
Pippa’s legs were moving towards the teens before she could second-guess herself. “Aspen?”
The young girl looked up, her eyes round before her mouth split in a grin. She jumped out of the booth and wrapped her arms around Pippa.
“Pippa! I missed you so much.”
Pippa returned the hug, holding her close, one piece of her broken heart put back together. “I missed you too.”
Aspen pulled away to look at her. “Dad won’t let me go to your bookstore. I’m so mad at him.” Her words were like daggers thrown at Pippa’s chest.
Fighting tears, Pippa said, “Your dad only wants the best for you.”
Aspen rolled her eyes. “He’s overprotective.”
Pippa chuckled. “Maybe so. But you looked pretty banged up last I saw you. I’m sure that scared him.” Pippa searched Aspen’s face for signs of injury. Her bruises had faded to a light yellow. “Your eye looks better.”
Aspen ran her hand over the spot, only slightly discolored now. “Yeah. It’s not bad. I broke Cara’s nose though.” Aspen smirked.
Pippa’s eyes widened. “You what?”
“She hit me first and I did what you said and stood up for myself. I would have been fine if it wasn’t four on one—well, three, technically. Rachel didn’t hit me; she just tricked me to get me alone so they could ambush me. I thought she wanted to be my friend again.”
