Page 60 of Love is a Lyric
“It’s Ben, Piper,” she whispered to herself. “Just stop.”
But that was the problem. She was past the point of stopping, of shoving all the feelings she’d once buried back into their hole.
A sob clogged in the back of her throat, but she didn’t let it out as she stared at her face in the mirror, a face that didn’t belong on CD covers or late night interviews. She wasn’t Quinn, but that was okay. She knew that now, whether Ben ever would or not.
Her life was her own. It didn’t belong to a sister who didn’t care, or a man whose world was so completely different from hers.
“I’m going to be okay,” she whispered, wiping a tear from her cheek.
If only she could make herself believe her own words.
The bathroom door flew open as Chase barged in.
“This is the ladies’ room.” She tried to scowl at her best friend, but the truth was she needed him.
“I know, and I don’t care. Come here.” He pulled her against his chest, wrapping strong arms around her.
“How do you always know when I need you?”
“Well, you did just run off a stage like your hair was on fire. If I didn’t come in here, my brother would have.”
She sighed at the mention of Ben. “He needs to leave, Chase. Or I do. I think it’s time we get on with our lives and forget all of this.”
“Pipes, I wasn’t lying when I introduced Ben as the best guy I know. He’s kind and cares about the family. But he’s also Ben Evans.”
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what he meant.
“Some days I wish he could just be Benji, and then I could watch my best friend fall hopelessly in love with him.”
She nodded against him. “But he can’t.”
“No. Ben Evans is a romantic icon in this country. And his princess isn’t…”
“A nobody?”
“I’d never call you a nobody.”
“You’re right though.” She pulled out of his embrace. “I’m an assistant. I’m supposed to make the lives of rockstars easier, and all I’ve done is complicate everything.”
He nudged her chin with his finger. “You’ve always been complicated. It’s what I love about you. I just don’t want my complicated bestie to end up my heartbroken bestie.”
Too late for that.
But she didn’t tell him that. Instead, she nodded, gathering the strength she’d used to get herself this far.
“We should get back out there before Ben comes in and the entire pub assumes…” He raised an eyebrow.
“Ew, gross.” She shoved him back with a laugh. “I think I hate you.”
“You don’t.”
She looped her arm through his. “Whatever you say, Chasey.”
Putting a hand on the door, she readied herself to face Ben once more. She just didn’t know the entire world would be waiting for them as well.
The first flash looked like lightning lighting up the world in the middle of the storm, but the next one came too quickly. And then another.
Tommy ran out from the kitchens, gesturing for two security personnel to stand guard by the front door.
