Page 47 of By Your Side
“You lookedhappywhen I walked in, Paige. You’re glowing. The whole town will figure it out by lunch. Once they see how radiant you are, it’ll be on.” She shrugged. “But look, it’s Hunter. He’s beloved in Honeybrook Hollow. Between him and his family, they keep every car, truck, and motorcycle running from Sweetbriar to Honeybrook Hollow and all the way up to Willowmist Falls. So hello? Any Hunter and Paige gossip that pops up will only help you. You have nothing to worry about.”
I groaned. “I can’t deal with gossip on top of custody threats and whatever else pops into his little pea brain.”
“You can. And you will. Because you’re strong, and smart, not to mention as mean as a honey badger, but most of all, you’re not alone.”
I bit my lip and tried not to burst into tears.
“You have your family. You have Ren. And you haveHunter freaking Cassidy, who would take a wrench to the face for you. Or hit someone in the face with a wrench for you. Either way, go you! Finally. You have a man worth your time in your life.”
I swallowed hard, not answering as I tried to hold back the wave of emotion that rose in my throat.
She pulled me in for a hug, squeezing tight. “You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.”
I closed my eyes; she was right. But I was still scared. Because when someone tries to take your peace, your kids, your life—you either stand up and fight for it or you lose everything. And I was so damn tired of fighting for everything I had.
Piper didn’t let go right away. When she finally pulled back, her eyes softened, the fierce sister-warrior in her giving way to something warmer.
“Okay,” she said, “I can’t fix Eli today, but Icanstart working on your face.”
I blinked. “My face?”
“Your mood-face,” she clarified. “It’s tragic now. You’ve gone from glowing to Eeyore if he were going through perimenopause.”
I groaned. “I’m sorry. I feel like I have whiplash. Did you come over to insult me or?—”
“—to save you,” she interrupted. “From yourself. And from this vortex of gloom Eli keeps pulling you into.”
“I’m okay. I don’t need saving from anything—” I started.
She held up a finger. “Don’t. Shh. I already have a plan.”
“Well, that’s terrifying.”
“It’s wonderful,” she said, grabbing her coffee and taking a sip before continuing. “Your birthday is coming up.”
I gave her a look. “Don’t. Nope. Uh-uh.”
“Oh, I will. Yep. Uh-huh. Forty, Paige. The big 4-0. You can’t just let it pass by while you hide in your bar yelling at whatever appliance is acting up.”
“I don’t hide in my bar,” I protested. “I?—”
“Shhh,” she said, taking a bite of muffin like she’d won the argument. “I’m thinking cocktails, twinkle lights, maybe that band from the summer festival, and cake. Obviously cake. Hello, I am the best baker in town. Multiple cakes. Like a cake buffet.”
“Piper—”
“You can wear something sparkly. I’ll wear something sparkly, and the girls will too. Do you think Noah will wear a sparkly tie? Or a vest?” I shook my head no because there was no way he would agree to that. “Well, shopping in Portland is imminent; we’ll take him to lunch and see what he thinks. Oh! And we’ll make Grandma wear sequins so she blinds people when she dances.”
Despite myself, a laugh slipped out. “She’d do it.”
“She’downit,” Piper said. “And you? You’re going to let people celebrate you for once in your life. Twilight Tavern, your birthday, your divorce, and your burgeoning relationship with hottie Hunter. It will be amazing.”
I shook my head, though my throat felt tight. “I don’t know if I’m in the mood to celebrate anything right now.”
“That’s exactly why we’re doing it,” she said, softer now. “Because life doesn’t stop being hard. But you deserve a night where you don’t have to fight, where you can just be happy. Even if it’s only for a few hours.”
I stared at her, torn between wanting to protest and wanting to believe her.
“I don’t need a party,” I muttered.
