Chapter 16

16

A udrey stepped out of her truck and walked towards the cozy seaside restaurant where she was meeting Lisa for dinner. The sun cast a warm, golden glow over Morro Bay, and as she approached the restaurant, she could see Lisa through the window, already seated at a table by the window, her face animated as she chatted with the waiter. Audrey took a deep breath, steeling herself for the evening ahead. She had agreed to this dinner days ago, before Piper had returned, before the whirlwind of emotions that had swept through her these last few days. She knew Lisa would notice her distraction, would ask questions, would push her to talk, and that's because Lisa was a great friend, but Audrey couldn't tell her about Piper. It was too much of a risk.

She pushed open the door, the delicious smells of garlic and tomatoes hitting her as soon as she entered the cozy Italian restaurant. Lisa looked up and smiled when she spotted her. Audrey made her way to the table, dodging a waiter with a tray of steaming pasta, and slid into the chair across from Lisa.

"Hey," Audrey said, reaching for the glass of water that had already been poured for her.

"You look tired," Lisa said, her brow furrowing as she studied Audrey's face.

Audrey managed a small smile. "Thanks a lot."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. Long day?"

Audrey nodded, grateful for the out. "Yeah, I had a job a couple of hours away, and I didn't sleep well last night."

Lisa hummed sympathetically and pushed a glass of wine towards Audrey. "Here, this will help."

Audrey took a sip, the cool liquid sliding down her throat, and set the glass down, her fingers tracing the stem. She looked out the window, watching as the sun dipped lower, the sky a gorgeous mix of oranges and pinks. She could feel Lisa's eyes on her. She braced herself, knowing what was coming. Lisa was like a dog with a bone when she sensed something was up. And Audrey knew she hadn't been herself lately. There was no way that Lisa wouldn't pick up on her distraction, her restlessness.

Lisa opened her mouth to speak, but Audrey cut her off, gesturing to the menu. "What's good here again?"

Lisa raised an eyebrow, a clear sign that she knew Audrey was dodging, but she played along. "The seafood linguine is amazing. And the garlic knots are to die for."

Audrey nodded, scanning the menu. She took another sip of wine, her eyes drifting back to the window. Piper got back from Los Angeles yesterday, but Audrey had a job that was two hours away and by the time she got back, the lights were off at Piper's house. Today she'd gone home for a quick shower after work and then met Lisa here for dinner. Audrey knew she couldn't avoid seeing Piper forever, but she'd already made up her mind that if this was never going to work, then she should just end it. Before she lost herself completely.

But she knew that was easier said than done.

Because as much as she tried to deny it, she knew that once Piper was standing in front of her, once she looked into those blue eyes, once she felt the warmth of her touch, her resolve would crumble.