Page 47 of The Comeback

“Yep.” I drop my arm from her shoulders, grab her by the hand, and drag her toward the counter. “You’re not going to die.”

Today, Piper has on black boots, tights, and a skirt. The only thing that isn’t black is her purple top. Hey, she’s wearing a color today. We’re making progress. “The pink velvet cupcakes are my favorite.”

“Of course they are.” Her eyes flash over everything, but I don’t miss the increase in the depth of her breathing. This place smells like heaven.

“What can I get for you?” A red-haired woman asks. Her belly is slightly rounded, accentuated by the string on the apron sectioning off her breasts from her belly. Does Weston want kids? I glance over at Piper.

Stop. You’re not pumping his sister for information.

Buuuuut I’ve never had a sister. This is what sisters do. They talk girl talk. Right?

Stop. I’m serious this time.

“I’ll take a pink velvet cupcake.”

Piper slaps her hands on her hips like she’s being forced to have a tooth pulled and frowns. “I’ll take one of the chocolate strawberry cupcakes.” Her shoulders lift a little. “I guess.”

I bite my lips together to keep from smiling. She chose the most decadent one in the place. It’s drizzled with chocolate, strawberry frosting, and topped with a chunk of a milk chocolate candy bar. Here comes the sugar coma.

After the saleswoman hands us our baked goods, I lead her to a table and sit. She plops down into the chair across from me. “Your mom seems excited about the prospect of a second opinion.”

“Yeah.” She shrugs and taps her fingernail against the cupcake box like it’s a bomb that’s about to explode. “I don’t know if she’s excited about the second opinion. Or just because Weston can’t shut up about you.”

“Really? He talks about me a lot?”

“Are you plying me with sugar to find out Weston’s secrets?”

“No.” I lean across the table. “Unless you want to tell them to me. My ears are open, and my mouth is shut.” I pretend to close a zipper across my lips.

“You’re crazy.” She laughs, and my heart swells. I want to get along with her, but more than anything, I want to see her come out of her shell. She reminds me of me.

“My mom has an appointment set for a second opinion on Friday.”

“So soon?”

“You may not realize it, but Weston, my brother, is kind of a big deal.”

“Yeah, I know.” Her sense of humor is popping up more and more. Please, let her hear good news at the doctor’s appointment.

“He used his connections to get the appointment. I’m getting a noon session that the doctor generally uses for his lunchtime.”

I open the white box with the pink lettering on the outside, and a flood of vanilla and sugar fills my nose. These things are so good. I only get one a month, or my ass would be too wide to make it through the door.

“I’m glad. I think you’ll be surprised by what you find out. Your gait is smooth when you walk.”

“My gate is what? What does a fence enclosure have to do with how I walk?”

“Your G-A-I-T, gait, not G-A-T-E, gate.”

“Oh.” Her face flushes, and she glances away from me.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I didn’t know any of the lingo you use nowadays.” She chuckles and turns the box between her fingers, but she doesn’t make a move to open the container. “Open the box. It won’t bite you.”

“Fine.” She rolls her eyes–again.

I wait until she takes a bite before I say anything else. Waiting. Waiting. When her eyes light up, I smirk. “I told you so.”

“God.” She licks her lips. “These are delicious. Thank you for inviting me.”

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