Page 62 of Finding Romance
Kasen laughs. “Hutch got trapped in here with Cam and Drew last year. And I think Bray the year before. Remember?”
“Oh, yeah, but only for thirty minutes,” she points out.
“Well, the way Hutch explains it, they might as well have been trapped inside for two days,” Kasen says.
I’m not going to lie, I have an immense sense of relief when the door opens. I practically run out and throw myself on the floor.
“OK, Piper, grab her walker. And I will carry Cornelia,” Kasen states as he effortlessly picks up my little, old aunt. She grins up at him and I roll my eyes.
Kasen winks at me and I give him a shake of my head as I pick up the walker. When we get to the roof, everyone sees Cornelia and applauds.
“Why are we clapping for Miss Cornelia?” Ava asks. She’s sitting on Bray’s lap, coloring something.
“Because Miss Cornelia finally gets to come back up to a happy hour,” Carly explains.
“I’m going to set you down here,” Kasen says as he puts her on the nearest seat at the table with an umbrella.
I set the walker down next to her.
“Cornelia, your usual?” Al calls out.
“Nope, we’re breaking out the champagne,” Margie says as she walks out of the stairs and holds up two big bottles of champagne.
“Damn, Margie! You’ve been lifting some serious weights if you were able to bring those things up here,” Hutch says as he walks over to help her.
Hutch sets one bottle down and pops the cork on the other one. Ava cheers.
“Wait! I don’t get any?” Ava asks once Al pours us all a glass.
I watch Al lean down, grab some ginger ale, and pour a little maraschino cherry juice in it.
“I made you a special drink,” he says as he pops one cherry on top and hands it to Ava.
She claps excitedly. “Thanks, Mr. Al!” She pulls him down for a kiss on the cheek. He blushes.
“You’re very welcome, Ava,” he replies as he walks back over to grab his glass. “To having Cornelia back on the roof!”
“To Cornelia!” everyone says in unison.
“And to wishing Piper bon voyage as she heads to Seattle this week,” he adds.
There is a wave of “good luck” and “we’ll miss you” as everyone raises their glasses again.
“Thank you,” I say shyly, a blush creeping up my cheeks from all the attention.
There’s a pause which is quickly replaced by five or six different conversations. Troy, Jessa, Margie, and Aunt Cornelia start talking about a show they are watching. Drew and Cam are debating something about a book with Gray and Roxy. Bray is helping Ava color while talking to Hutch and Carly. Al is asking Kasen something, and I’m standing here next to Kasen, taking it all in.
I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do without all of them.
“You look sad, Miss Piper. You want my pink drink?” Ava asks.
“Oh, thanks, Ava. I’m just sad to be leaving, but you keep your drink,” I assure her.
“Wait! I can go get bubbles,” she squeals and then leans toward me. “All the grown-ups here love bubbles. Miss Cam and Mr. Drew had a whole fight about who blew better bubbles. But I brought up my big bubble blower and I won.”
Carly starts choking on her drink and Bray pats her back.
I look at them, not understanding.
