Page 49

“But you and I still have the rest of the night together.” Piper’s voice held a low huskiness that sent a shiver through Jo’s body.

“Yes, we do. Should we head out and go for a walk maybe?”

“I like that idea.” Piper waved down the server. While she asked for the bill, Jo’s phone vibrated in her purse.

“Bea?” She swiped without checking the screen.

“Hey stranger, you finally decided I was worth your time again, huh?” The purr turned into a pout. Jo’s blood drained from her body and settled somewhere in her feet. Immediately, she looked at Piper, begging for help, for anyway out of this torture that was about to happen.

“Mandy?” she choked out.

“Of course it’s me, sweetheart. I’ve missed you so much. I can’t wait to see you again.”

Jo didn’t know what to say. Mandy’s chuckle came through the phone, but still Jo couldn’t find the words.

“Jo?” Piper’s voice was coupled with a gentle shake to Jo’s bare arm. How many times had Piper tried to get her attention?

Jo looked up, blinking as she tried to process what was happening.

“What’s wrong?” Piper skimmed her hand up and down Jo’s arm in comfort.

Tears filled Jo’s eyes. Piper took the phone from her, not hesitating. She glanced at the number on the screen and cringed.

“Jo can’t speak right now. She’ll call you backifshe wants to.” Piper hung up and scowled at the phone. It had been a private number.

“What did she want?”

“Probably to get back together with me.” Jo twisted her hands in her lap, staring at the edge of the table.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here.” Piper stood up and offered Jo her hands. Jo looked up, hating herself as she saw pain and anger in Piper’s eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“Nope, none of that.” Piper’s eyes softened, and she indicated her hands once more for Jo to take.

Jo took them, and when she stood up, Piper pulled a little harder than Jo had anticipated. They pressed together, chest to chest.

“Hi.” Jo looked up into Piper’s eyes.

“Hi yourself.” Piper smiled as she tucked a stray strand of Jo’s hair behind her ear before stepping back. As she did, Piper twisted her hand in Jo’s and entwined their fingers. “Now let’s take that walk.”

For a few minutes, they walked past people and restaurants. The silence between them didn’t quite feel as comfortable as it normally did. Jo cursed herself and then huffed in frustration. She shouldn’t be angry at herself. It was Mandy who had once again barged into her life to try and… what? Jo had no idea anymore.

“Are you okay?” Piper asked as they pushed past the last of the restaurants, the crowd thinning out as the path curved down toward the river.

“No,” Jo said. “No, I’m not okay at all.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I’m so angry. I cared about her, I really did. But she never treated me as anything important until something big happened. Every time Bea and I got in the papers for something, every time we moved one step toward the big goals, Mandy would dote on me. I would think, finally she realizes what I’m worth and how much she cares about me.” Jo wiped angrily at the tears that escaped.

“I’m sorry,” Piper said as she squeezed Jo’s hand in her own.

“And now, I’ve had such a fun night. I always feel like I’m someone important when I’m with you, you know. And here I am ruining it all.”

Piper pulled on her hand, and Jo had no choice but to stop walking. There were people still around, but none were close to them anymore. “Youareimportant. You’re also wonderful and deserve to be treated like a queen every day, not just when you take another step forward toward your career.”

“See!” Jo smiled despite her need to sniff and the watery haze she saw Piper through. “Even now when I must look like a raccoon with rabies, you always say nice things.”