Page 79 of By Your Side
I was still staring at the new lights and contemplating my life when the front door banged open and a whirlwind of voices came pouring in.
“Delivery for the birthday girl!”
My mother swept in first, holding a garment bag nearly as tall as she was. Grandma trailed right behind her, sequins already glittering on her cardigan like she’d taken Piper’s assignment to sparkle to heart. Piper clapped her hands and squealed as if she hadn’t orchestrated all of this from the beginning.
“Sparkles,” my mother declared, laying the bag across a booth with all the gravity of someone setting down crown jewels. “Wait until you see it. It reminded me of your prom dress. Plus, it’s not a party without sparkles, don’t you think?”
“Or heels,” Grandma added, placing a shoebox on top with a flourish. “We never got to go shopping together, so we brought shopping to you.”
I blinked at them, throat tightening as they unzipped the bag and pulled out a purple sequined dress. It was low cut and sexy as hell. I hadn’t worn something like this in ages.
“This is too much,” I protested, pointing at the neckline. “I can’t pull something like this off. I’m not that girl anymore.”
“You sure as heck can. And you are that girl. You’ll always be that girl, don’t let anyone take it from you,” Grandma countered. “You need to go try it on. I’ll fight you if you don’t.”
“Okay,” I whispered. I hesitated, fingers ghosting over the dress’s sequins as if they might spark some forgotten version of myself.
Piper tugged at my elbow, urging me toward the bathroom with a conspiratorial grin. “Come on, Paige. You need at least one dramatic entrance tonight.”
Before I could gather my thoughts and go try it on, the door opened again.
“Coffee run,” Eliza sang, sweeping in with a cardboard tray. She pressed a hot cup into my hand and kissed my cheek. “Extra cream, extra sugar, because it’s a party day. Happy birthday, big sister.”
Behind her came Cara, cheeks pink from the cold, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers—wild, bright, colorful. She set them on the bar with a smile. “For good luck.”
I pressed my palm to the lid of the coffee cup, warmth seeping into my fingers, my throat thick. I’d spent so long holding everything together on my own that I’d forgotten what it felt like to be surrounded. To be carried instead of carrying.
Piper caught my eye, her smile softening. “Paige? Are you okay?”
I swallowed hard, blinking fast. “I’m just overwhelmed. In the best way.”
Mom crossed over, looping an arm around my shoulders, while Grandma fussed with the hanger, muttering about necklines and how you’re never too old to sparkle.
The whole bar buzzed with life, warm and bright, and for the first time in weeks, I felt something I hadn’t let myself feel—hope. And love. So much love, it pressed against my ribs until I thought I might burst. They were here. All of them. For me.
But somewhere under all of that warmth, beneath the sparkle and laughter and happy chatter, was Hunter. Still missing. Still, the ache I couldn’t quite ease. He should be here tonight.
Then my grandma, as casual as could be, said, “Your grandpa is on his way to pick up the girls from school. Noah texted—he’s halfway here. Want me to call anyone for you? I’m sure he’d drop everything and come.”
“Grandma,” I whispered. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Yes, you do.”
Chapter 25
Hunter
The shop was quiet for a Friday night, too quiet. Usually by now, Deacon would have music going in the back bay, or Spencer would be giving me grief about how long it took me to finish a job. Instead, it was just the tick of the clock on the wall. The others were off, getting ready for Paige’s party.
Spencer leaned against the workbench, arms crossed, grease still smeared on his shirt. “Still nothing,” he said. “Checked the recordings twice. Whoever’s messing with the tavern hasn’t shown their face yet.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. The laptop sat open between us, a handful of recorded camera feeds glowing back at me—the kitchen, the storage room, the back hallway. Paige didn’t know he had set them up last night, and it killed me to keep that from her. But until we caught someone in the act, telling her would only make her worry more.
“Could be Eli,” I muttered. “Could be somebody he sent.”
Spencer nodded. “That’s what I think, too. We’ll catch him if it is, then this will all be over.” He ran a hand through his hair with a sigh and looked at me sideways. “You gonna head over there? It’s the party tonight.”
I didn’t answer right away. My hands were restless, wiping down a wrench that didn’t need it.
