Chapter 1

1

P iper Emerson leaned back in her plush leather seat as the wheels of her private jet touched down on the sun-baked tarmac of LAX, a gentle bump signaling their arrival. As the aircraft decelerated, the late afternoon sunlight poured through her window, bathing the cabin in a rich, amber glow.

"Welcome back to Los Angeles, Ms. Emerson," the pilot's voice crackled over the intercom.

Piper glanced at Natalie, who sat across from her, already tapping away on her phone. "Glad to be home?"

Natalie looked up, a small smile playing on her lips. "So glad."

As the jet taxied to its private hangar, Piper felt a mix of relief and anticipation wash over her. The past few months had been a whirlwind of filming on location and traveling across Europe for promotional appearances. She loved her work, but the constant travel and pressure had started to wear on her. She always tried to catch herself before she could complain, even to Natalie, because it wasn't that long ago that she was dreaming of having a schedule as insane as the last few months had been.

The plane came to a stop, and James, one of her security team members, was already on his feet. Piper gathered her things, slipping on her oversized sunglasses - a habit born from years of dodging paparazzi.

"Ready?" Natalie asked, standing and smoothing out her blazer.

Piper nodded, following her friend and chief of security towards the exit. The blast of hot July air hit her as soon as the door opened. As she descended the steps with Ryan, the third member of her security detail, ahead of her, Piper could already feel herself beginning to relax. If the traffic wasn't awful, she'd be home in no time, where she could focus on something other than her next scene or interview.

Inside the private terminal, Piper was greeted by the familiar faces of the VIP staff. The air conditioning washed over her, a welcome respite from the sweltering heat outside.

"Welcome back, Ms. Emerson," said a cheerful blonde woman behind the counter. "How was your flight?"

Piper smiled, genuinely pleased to see her. "Thanks, Melissa. It was smooth sailing all the way. How've you been?"

As Melissa chatted about her recent vacation, Piper could see Ryan looking fidgety out of the corner of her eye. Piper knew her security team would prefer to whisk her in and out of places, but she never wanted to be above talking to staff or fans, and she tried her best to remember as many names as possible.

"Your car is ready whenever you are, Ms. Emerson," another staff member informed her, handing over some paperwork.

Piper nodded, signing where indicated. "Thanks, Tom. It's good to be back."

As she made her way towards the exit, Natalie fell into step beside her. "Ready for the gauntlet?"

Piper took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "As I'll ever be."

The moment the doors slid open, a barrage of flashes erupted. A group of paparazzi had somehow gotten wind of her arrival. Their rapid-fire clicks filled the air as Piper stepped out into the fading sunlight.

"Piper! Over here!"

"How was Europe, Piper?"

"Any comments on the rumors about your affair with Evelyn Coleman?"

The questions were always the same, and Piper lifted her hand in a brief wave to the fans she saw amongst the photographers, her practiced smile firmly in place. She was so tempted to stop and give that lost photographer a piece of her mind, but she kept going, knowing that if she denied those rumors, she'd only be adding fuel to the fire. It was best just to ignore it.

Piper could feel James and Ryan flanking her, their presence a comforting barrier between her and the cameras as they kept moving.

Natalie's voice was low and steady beside her. "Car's right there. Ten steps."

Piper kept her pace measured, neither rushing nor dawdling. She'd learned long ago that sprinting to the car only made for more dramatic photos. Instead, she maintained her composure, focusing on the sleek black SUV ahead.

As they reached the vehicle, James smoothly opened the door. Piper slid inside, the tinted windows instantly muffling the shouts and camera clicks. She let out a long breath as Natalie settled in beside her.

Piper watched through the tinted windows as James and Ryan loaded the bags into the trunk. Piper noticed how they seamlessly blended their tasks, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings while handling the luggage. It was a dance they'd perfected over the years, and Piper felt a surge of gratitude for their dedication.

As the last of their luggage was added to the trunk, Piper caught sight of a photographer trying to sneak closer for a better shot. Before she could even tense up, Ryan smoothly intercepted, his body blocking the camera's view.

Piper never took for granted how lucky she was to have the three of them. They were some of the best in the business, but she could also relax with them over a few beers, and even though she was technically their boss, Piper considered the three of them friends.

Natalie glanced at her as James and Ryan hopped in the SUV. "You okay?"

Piper managed a small smile. "Yeah, just ready to get out of here."

As the SUV pulled away, Piper leaned her head against the cool glass of the window. The flashes of cameras faded into the distance.

"God, it feels good to be back," Piper sighed, sinking deeper into the leather seat.

Natalie looked up from her phone, a small smile playing on her lips. "I bet. You've been running non-stop for more than four months now."

"Feels like four years," Piper said. "Don't get me wrong. Filming in England and Wales was incredible. Those castle locations were straight out of a fairy tale, but I'm glad to be back home."

"Remember that tiny pub in Cardiff?" Natalie's eyes glistened with amusement. "I thought James was going to hit his head on every beam."

Piper laughed softly as she gazed out the window.

"The press tour was something else, though," Piper said. "Paris, Rome, Berlin... It all started to blur together after a while."

Natalie nodded, her expression softening. "You handled it like a pro, Piper, but I could tell it was wearing on you towards the end."

Piper turned to her friend, gratitude welling up inside her. "I couldn't have done it without you, Nat. I think it all the time, but I don't say it enough. It's not just about the security. You know I trust you when it comes to that, but I'd be lost with your friendship. You know that, right?"

"Don't go getting sappy on me now," Natalie teased, but Piper could see the affection in her eyes.

"I mean it," Piper insisted.

Natalie reached over and gave Piper's hand a squeeze. "Well, the feeling's mutual. Now, what's the game plan for your well-deserved break?"

"Absolutely nothing for the next week, and that means an equally well-deserved break for you guys. But for the first time in I don't know how long, my schedule is blissfully empty. No scripts to read, no photoshoots, no interviews. Just me, some takeout, and maybe a Netflix binge or two."

"Sounds perfect," Natalie grinned. "And then we'll head to Morro Bay next week?"

Piper's gaze drifted back to the window, her mind wandering to her grandmother's beach house. She should have felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of finally tackling the renovation, but instead, a heavy weight settled in her chest.

"You know," she said, "I keep telling myself I should be thrilled about getting started on it. But every time I think about it, I just feel... guilty."

Natalie turned to her, concern etched on her face. "Guilty? Why?"

Piper sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's been two years since she passed away. Two years, and I'm only just now getting around to fixing up her home. And before that? I barely visited her in the last couple of years of her life. I was always too busy."

"I know the renovation needs to happen," she continued. "If I leave it much longer, it'll probably need even more work. And I've started daydreaming about having it as a nice getaway from LA. But it feels... I don't know, selfish somehow."

Natalie reached out, giving Piper's arm a gentle squeeze. "Your grandmother would want you to enjoy that house, Piper. You know that, right? That's exactly why she left it to you and not your parents. She wanted you to have it."

Piper nodded, but the guilt still gnawed at her. "I know. It's just... I can't help thinking about all the times I should have been there. All the memories we could have made if I hadn't been so caught up in the constant need to further my career."

She turned back to the window, watching the familiar streets of Los Angeles go by.

"I guess I'm just worried about facing all of that when I get there," Piper admitted. "It's not just about picking out new paint colors or updating the kitchen. It's about confronting everything I let slip away."

The SUV pulled up to the gated entrance of Piper's Hollywood Hills home. As the gates swung open, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. The winding driveway, lined with perfectly manicured hedges and palm trees, led to the sprawling modern mansion she called home.

As Piper stepped out of the car, the hot evening air carried the faint scent of flowers from her garden.

Inside, Piper kicked off her shoes, the marble floor cool beneath her feet. The open-plan living area stretched out before her, and she couldn't wait to wake up in the morning in her own home.

Piper made her way to the kitchen, her fingers trailing along the smooth quartz countertop. She opened the fridge, pleasantly surprised to find it stocked with her favorite foods and beverages. She'd have to call her manager and thank her for thinking ahead. She returned to the foyer just as James and Ryan entered, carrying her luggage.

"Where would you like these, Ms. Emerson?" James asked.

"Just leave them here for now," Piper replied, stifling a yawn. "I'll deal with them tomorrow."

Natalie appeared in the doorway, her eyes scanning the room out of habit. "Everything looks as secure as we left it."

"Good." Piper nodded, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "Thank you all for everything. Go and enjoy your break. I'll see you next week."

James and Ryan showed themselves out while Natalie pulled her into a hug.

"Call me if you want to do anything during the week," Natalie said as she met her eyes. "But I'd completely understand if you're sick of me by now."

"Never," Piper said with a smile. "Give me two or three days to recover and unwind? What about dinner Thursday night? I've been craving my grandmother's eggplant parmesan."

"I'd love to. Just send me a message to confirm, and I'll be here."

Piper walked Natalie out and watched her slide into the passenger seat. The SUV pulled away, and for the first time in months, Piper was truly alone.

Piper decided to leave the unpacking for later. She was tired, but not quite ready for sleep yet. Stepping outside, she made her way to the edge of the pool, gazing out at the sprawling view of Los Angeles before her.

The city lights twinkled in the distance, and Piper took a deep breath. It felt good to be back home, and it wasn't until she'd stepped off her plane that she realized just how exhausted she was, both mentally and physically.

She stared out at the skyline, and Piper couldn't help but reflect on how far she had come. Nine years ago, when she had left her grandmother's house in Morro Bay to pursue her acting dreams in Los Angeles, she never could have imagined the path her life would take.

Back then, she had been a wide-eyed 21-year-old, full of ambition and determination, but also full of uncertainty. The decision to leave the safety and comfort of her grandmother's home had been a daunting one, but Piper had known in her heart that she needed to take a chance.

And she had achieved so much, far beyond what she had ever dreamed possible. But the part that Piper was most proud of was the fact that she had done it all while being true to herself.

Not once had Piper hidden who she was. From the moment she had arrived in Los Angeles, she had been an out and proud lesbian. It hadn't always been easy, and she was certain that she'd missed out on roles because of that decision, but it wasn't long before she proved that her acting skills were far more interesting than her sexuality.

Piper's thoughts drifted to her grandmother and a pang of grief tugged at her heart. It was her unwavering support and acceptance that had given Piper the courage to embrace her true self, even in the face of her parents' rejection. If it weren't for Lily, Piper knew she might not have had the strength to pursue her dreams and become the woman she was today.

A single tear slid down Piper's cheek as she wished, not for the first time, that she could have had just one more day with her grandmother. Piper wished she could tell her how much she loved her, how much she had shaped her life for the better. Two years later, Piper still couldn't shake the regret of not spending more time with her, and she was starting to wonder if she ever would.

As the cool breeze ruffled her hair, Piper made a silent vow to honor her grandmother's memory by pouring her heart and soul into the renovation of the Morro Bay beach house. It would be a chance to reconnect with her roots, to find the peace and solace she had always felt in that special place. And perhaps, in the process, she could finally find the closure she had been searching for.