Page 148 of Champagne Nights

I rolled my eyes.

“We were in the neighborhood, and we thought we’d stop by and say hi. We didn’t know you were here. Oh my God, Paisley, look at you. You’re dressed up. Are you going somewhere?” Piper asked.

“Cut the bullshit. I know Keaton called you,” I said as I shot him a look. “And it’s Wednesday. Don’t you two work?”

“Today happens to be my day off,” Charlotte said. “And you know Piper is in between jobs at the moment.”

“You look beautiful.” Piper smiled as she walked over to me and placed her hands on my shoulders.

“Thank you. But seriously, this is no big deal, so I don’t know why the two of you had to come running over.”

“Baby sister, listen to me,” Charlotte said as she walked over and took hold of my hands. “For the first time in almost a year, I’ve seen you smile. You were different at family dinner last week when Ben was there. You were Paisley again, and to see that brought me more happiness than you could ever imagine.”

Tears started to fill my eyes as I stood there and listened to my sister speak those words to me. Piper smiled as her fingers lightly touched the end of my hair.

“We’re sorry, but we just want you to be happy again because we miss you.”

I looked up at the ceiling to prevent the tears from falling and ruining my makeup.

“Keaton, get us a tissue,” Charlotte commanded.

“Don’t get all weepy, sis,” he said as he handed me a tissue.

“I’m fine.”

“Now that we know you’re okay and you’re going to be okay, we’re going to go. Come on, Keaton,” Piper said.

“You better call me in the morning,” he said as Piper and Charlotte dragged him out the door.

As soon as they left, I grabbed my purse and climbed into my car.

Ben

I picked up my bottle of Polo Blue from the dresser, and for the first time in a year, I dabbed some on. I didn’t even know why I did it. I looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was five minutes after six. Nerves started to settle inside me as I walked around the house, making sure that everything was picked up and clean. As I was straightening the pillows on the couch, the doorbell rang. I didn’t know why I was such a nervous wreck. I opened the door and gasped at the beautiful woman standing before me. She smiled, and I stood there speechless.

“Come on in. You look amazing.”

“Thank you.”

She stepped inside, and I could tell she was just as nervous as I was.

“You have a very nice house, Ben.” She walked over to the sofa table and ran her hand across it. “This is beautiful. I’ve been looking for one almost like it. Where did you find it?”

“I made it.”

Paisley turned to me with a shocked expression on her face. “You made this?”

“Yeah. Remember I told you that making furniture was my hobby?”

“I do remember, but?—”

I laughed. “You thought that I wasn’t really that good, right?”

Her expression turned to embarrassment. “Oh my God, no. That’s not what I meant at all.”

“It’s okay, Paisley.” I smiled. “I’m teasing you. Would you like to see what I just finished?”

“I would.” She nodded.

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