Page 69 of Definitely (Maybe) Dating
Piper had just putthe leftovers in the fridge when her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number. Praying it was the Ladies of Portland, she answered right away.
“Hello?”
“Is this Piper?” a voice asked—that voice belonging to one Margo Easton, who was likely calling to gloat.
Piper closed her eyes and told herself she would not let Satan’s Keeper make her cry. She’d faced bigger and tougher bullies, and this one wouldn’t take her down. Period.
“Hello, Margo.”
There was a long pause, and Piper could practically hear the bangle bracelets jangle. “The board has voted on your art show.”
“And?” Piper held her breath.
“It was a five to four vote.” Piper hadn’t been expecting a landslide, but five to four didn’t imply a strong sense of confidence. “In your favor.”
Piper nearly dropped to her knees. “Oh my god.” She turned around. “Oh my God. Thank you. Thank you so much. You have no idea how many girls’ dreams you just made come true.”
Piper being one of those girls. And Rebecca. God, Rebecca was going to sell at least one of her pictures; she knew it. Piper was going to have Clive retake the photo ofCinderella’s a Lie,increasing Rebecca’s chance of selling for a high price, which would give her a good solid start for her college fund. And that’s when the first tear formed. Rebecca could actually finish school and go to college if she wanted.
“I can’t thank you enough. Can you please pass along my thanks to the board?”
“I can,” the older woman said. “And I want you to know that I voted in favor of combining the events.”
Piper froze, mouth hanging open. “You did?”
“I did.”
“But why?”
“My son. He told me that your art program means a lot to a lot of people.” Margo sighed, and Piper know this was hard for her. Piper coming in and screwing up her plan was difficult, so the vote of support meant even more.
“It does. It means so much to these girls.”
“I know. Josh told me that it meant a lot to you and that I need to be nicer.”
“Well, we don’t want to go too far,” Piper teased. “I don’t know if I’d recognize you if you weren’t sparring with me.”
For the first time in the conversation, Margo laughed. Piper wouldn’t call it a guttural, from the heart laugh, but it sounded less strained than when the call had begun.
“There are rules.”
“I wouldn’t expect less.”
“No street signs and no vandalism allowed. Any funny business, and the showcase is out.”
“I promise you that there will be nothing sketchy included.” Piper stilled. She’d said the word promise and didn’t break out in hives.
“I hope so because I went out on a limb for you,” she said.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you is the appropriate response,” Margo said primly. “And the next time you see my son, could you pass along that I did as told?”
“Depends.” Piper said and heard the woman sigh. “What’s his address?”
??
Still in her pajamas, Piper arrived at Josh’s place. She had to circle his neighborhood twice to find parking and ended up finding a spot two blocks over.
