Page 80 of Love is a Lyric
“Because once the world finds out they’re through, the questions start. My sister has done some awful things, one of which is cheating on Ben. I hate her for it, but I also love her, and I refuse to have that be the only thing people remember her for.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Do you know how many famous men cheat on their girlfriends, their wives?”
“Uh, a lot?”
“Yes, and it never hurts their career. But women…” She sucked in a breath. “I don’t want to hear the things they’d call her, Drew. I can’t protect her from herself, but I can protect her from that.”
Piper yanked open the door, stopping as she almost slammed into Quinn herself. A flush rose in Quinn’s cheeks. “I was going to knock.”
“And instead, you chose to eavesdrop.” Drew brushed by them and stopped. “Play nice, ladies.” He descended the stairs, leaving them in an empty hallway with nowhere to look but at each other.
Quinn hadn’t changed. She never did. Flawless skin, covered in enough makeup to make it look like she wore none at all. Beautiful blond hair curled around her shoulders.
Hard eyes.
The fidgeting, that was new. Quinn wrung her hands almost like she was nervous, but she couldn’t be. “I was coming to wake you.”
Piper couldn’t look at her sister and not see her parents, she couldn’t separate their lives now from the two little girls who’d played together despite their age differences. She stepped forward, sliding her arms around Quinn.
Quinn stiffened, but she didn’t push her away.
“I missed you.”
It was like the words broke something in Quinn because her arms rose up to crush Piper against her. They’d never been the hugging type of sisters, but in that moment, Piper needed to feel close to someone, and she suspected Quinn needed the same thing.
“You really wanted to protect me?” Quinn asked.
“Always, Quinny. How much did you overhear?”
“Enough.” She pushed Piper back to hold her at arm’s length and scan her from head to toe. “What are you wearing?”
That didn’t take long. She stared down as Chase’s old shirt and shrugged. “Something comfortable.”
She imagined what Quinn would say. Clothes weren’t for comfort. But the words didn’t come. Instead, Quinn pursed her lips. “Well, the reporter won’t be photographing you, anyway.”
“Reporter?”
She nodded. “Mel’s idea. She told me to come out here for an interview and fly back with Ben so we arrived together. The reporter should be here soon.” She cocked her head. “Are you sure you don’t want to put on something else? And maybe a bra?”
A laugh burst out of Piper. “Fine. I can change.”
She nodded, a smile playing on her lips. “After the interview, we’ll have an hour or so before we have to leave for the airport. Can we talk?”
Relief pulsed through Piper. “Yeah, Quinny. We can talk.”
Quinn turned toward the stairs.
“Quinn?” Piper called after her.
She turned. “Yeah?”
“Please don’t kill Drew.”
One corner of her mouth curled up. “No promises. You two aren’t really…”
“Gosh no.”
