Page 32 of Right Where You Left Me
Emma
T here’s a lull in customer traffic this morning and I take the break to go and do my weekly inventory count in the kitchen.
I was going to take the weekend off, but Liam insisted I work.
He assured me he’d be just fine hanging out with my mom until I got off work at noon.
I agreed and well, here we are. Me, miserable and trying to get through my work day without thinking about the giant gaping hole in my chest.
I’m finishing up the online order for next week when Piper comes to join me in the kitchen. “We’ve been empty for a bit. Left the bell on the counter if anyone comes in.” She says with a shrug. “Need any help back here?”
“No, I just finished the order and was just going to prep some cookie dough to freeze so we have some on hand if we need it.”
She nods slowly, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
I know she knows what happened. It’s written all over her face, but I don’t know exactly what Sage said to her about it.
To be honest, I don’t even really understand how we got here.
One moment we were something amazing, and the next she didn’t think we were worth fighting for anymore.
I think that’s the part that hurts the most about it.
That even with her insecurities and her fears, she didn’t think that I was worth fighting all of those feelings for.
“So, you heard?” I say, not beating around the bush. I’m too old for games and if I’m going to stay working here, which I really want to do, I need to clear the air and move on.
“Yeah.” She sighs. “I’m sorry, Emma.”
I shrug. “Not much I can do about it I guess. Sage decided we were done and isn’t taking any of my calls.
The tattoo shop was closed yesterday, and I know that because I called the shop all day.
And no one was answering this morning. She’s screening my calls.
” I shake my head and will the tears that want to fall again to stay inside.
I cannot break down in the kitchen in front of her sister.
I refuse. “I just want her back.” I choke out. “I hate this.”
Piper’s face does a weird thing and I arch a brow at her. “What is it?” I ask.
“When you guys were young,” she starts, “When the um, incident , went down. Sage was broken for a really long time. She came home that semester and was just so sad . It took me a few days to get her to leave her room, and weeks to get her to finally tell me what happened.”
She looks out toward the cafe and sighs.
“I know that you two have gotten over that, and that you both had agreed to move on. But you need to know that she was not okay after that all happened. I don’t personally know how she felt, this is all just from what she said, but she felt abandoned.
She was coming to terms with her sexuality which I’m sure is scary on its own, but then she lost her best friend in the entire world at the same time.
She— God, Emma, she was like a ghost and I never want to see my sister like that again.
I know you two have worked it out, but if she’s feeling even a fraction of what she did back then, then you need to understand what she was going through. ”
“I know.” I choke out, the tears I tried to keep inside flowing freely down my cheeks.
“Fuck, I know Piper. And I don’t ever want to hurt her like that again.
I’m not mad at her, I just want her to understand that I think she’s worth fighting for.
That I’m not going to stop trying to get through to her.
I lo—” I snap my mouth shut. Oh my God, I do love her, don’t I?
I mean, of course I fucking do. How could I not?
From the second I met her, and through all the bullshit we went through to get to this point, I fell so madly in love with her that I’m sick with it.
She is the only thing I want in this world, and I’m going to get her back.
“Piper, I’m going to need your help with a plan. ”
“A plan?” She asks slowly.
“Mhm. I’m going to win your sister back.”
We spend the rest of my shift planning exactly how I’m going to do that in between customers and when it’s time for me to go, Piper wraps me in a big hug. “I’m rooting for you two.” She says. “Just let me know when it’s time for my part in your master plan to woo my sister.”
I hug her back tightly. “Thank you. I’ll keep you updated.”
I drive home as quickly as I can and still be safe and run into the front door.
The house is full of delicious sweet smells, which I can only assume means Liam is baking in the kitchen.
I find him and my mom sitting at the kitchen table, mugs of tea in their hands as they chat.
“Am I interrupting anything interesting?” I ask as I sit down.
I snag a sip of my mom’s tea and at her huff of annoyance, grin at her.
“It’s like you don’t remember the manners I taught you.” She says with an eye roll. “Tea bags are still out if you want your own.”
“I’m good.” I say with a wink. “How were your mornings? It smells really good in here, Liam. Whatcha making?”
“Brownies, at your mom’s request.”
“You do love a good fudge brownie.” I say, fiddling with the corner of the tablecloth.
“You’re being weird.” Liam says with a raised brow. “What’s wrong with you?”
I give him a blank look. “You mean other than the girl I’m in love with being done with me?”
My mom gasps dramatically and Liam sets his tea down turning his entire body toward me. “Okay.” He says. “We’re getting deeper into that, right now.”
“Yeah. Came to that realization at work this morning.” I say and lean back in my chair.
My hair dangles behind me as I stare up at the ceiling.
I worked through a plan with Piper today, and hopefully I can get all the pieces together, and most importantly, get Sage to give me a chance to talk to her. “I have a plan.”
“A plan.” My mother echos. “To do what?”
I fill them both in on everything that I talked to Piper about earlier.
Both of them eager to help and do whatever they can.
After some more tea and the incredible brownies Liam made, I’m feeling better about this.
It’s going to work. I’ve texted both River and Peyton to clue them in on everything too, and both have assured me that they will play their parts.
There’s a tendril of hope sitting deep in my chest, and I’m letting it grow, because I know that this plan is going to be successful.
I’m going to show her just how important she is to me, and that I will do whatever it takes to fight for her.
I’m going to get my girlfriend back.