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"Sadie, it's going to be okay," I tell her. "Mom already knows...and so do Grayson and Claire."
"Excuse me!" she hisses. "You're dating Caleb's ex and you didn't tell me first? What the hell, Jesse, we'retwins!"
"I know, I know," I say, trying to sound apologetic. "It's just that I didn't want to freak you out or make you feel weird about it. I really like Piper, Sadie--I think I love her--and I hope you can learn to love her too."
There's a long pause on the other end of the line, and I can practically hear Sadie's mind whirring with questions and concerns. Finally, she speaks again, her voice more subdued this time.
"Okay. I trust you. But I want to come over tonight so I can barrage you both with questions, and I won't take no for an answer. For what it's worth...I'll bring cake."
I grin to myself, relief flooding through me. "Thanks, Sadie. You're the best."
"But be careful, Jess," she says. "Caleb isn't gonna take this well."
"I know," I tell her. "Which is why I want the whole family to help."
Piper is awake when I come back inside, sitting at the table with my mom. Jake stands at the counter, smiling as mom tells some story, Piper with a soft smile as she listens. She's so...reserved. Quiet.
Beautiful.
I take a second to watch her before she notices me, memorizing the curve of her shoulder, the way her face has gotten a little rounder since she got pregnant. Sheglows.
She sees me.
Her smile widens.
I love her.
It feels so obvious now that I'm starting to admit it. Of course I love her--I've always loved her. I think, even when she was dating Caleb and I would run into her at family gatherings, we always hit it off...and now I know why.
We were meant to be all along.
"Mornin', gorgeous," I say, walking toward her and leaning forward to kiss the top of her head. She blushes as my family looks at our changed dynamic, my mom flashing us a knowing smile. I'm confident she didn't hear a thing last night--but I'm sure Piper is nervous she did.
"Good morning, Jesse," Piper says, her voice soft and melodic.
I pull out a chair and sit next to her, taking her hand in mine. "How'd you sleep?" I ask her.
"Very well," she says, her eyes meeting mine. "Thank you for letting me stay the night."
"Anytime," I say, squeezing her hand. "I'm just happy you're here with me."
Piper's smile is radiant, and for a moment, it feels like the rest of the world fades away. It's just me and her, with nothing else to worry about.
But that moment doesn't last long.
Jake clears his throat, drawing our attention to him. "So, Piper," he says, his voice friendly. "Jesse tells us you're an artist?"
Piper nods, a small smile still playing on her lips. "Yes, I am," she says. "I specialize in watercolors."
"Have you painted Jesse?"
I know Jake is asking as a joke, and I flash him a sardonic scowl--but Piper nods. "I actually painted him quite a few times back in San Fran...but I had to sell my paintings to buy a bus ticket out here."
I gape at her as my mom does the same. "So there are paintings of my son floating around in California?" she asks.
Piper laughs softly. "They're abstract, it isn't like there's anything crazy out there--but yes, there are paintings of Jesse, and me, and...well, all kinds of things."
She looks over at me.
