Chapter 5

5

T he sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the sky in a breathtaking array of oranges, pinks, and purples as Piper and Natalie sat on the new deck chairs, enjoying a glass of wine. The gentle breeze carried the distant crash of waves, a soothing rhythm that could almost Piper to sleep. She stretched her arms overhead, feeling the satisfying pull of tired muscles, a reminder of the week's hard work.

"I can't believe how much we got done," Piper said, turning her head to glance at Natalie. "The kitchen looks incredible with those new cabinets and all the appliances. Every room, no matter how little or how much we changed, turned out better than I'd imagined. I couldn't have done it without you and the guys."

Natalie smiled. "Your grandmother would be proud."

"I don't know," Piper said before taking another drink.

"She left you the house for a reason, and I doubt it was to turn it into a museum to honor her memory. It's yours now, and you've made it yours, while still keeping plenty of reminders of her. I honestly didn't think it'd work out as well as it has."

Piper's eyes drifted back to the sunset. "I wasn't sure either. I kept second-guessing every decision, worried I was erasing too much of her." She paused, taking another sip of wine. "But you're right. It feels like a perfect blend of her and me now."

"And how are you feeling about staying here on your own?"

Piper could hear the concern in her friend's voice. She turned to face Natalie fully, offering a reassuring smile. "I feel safe here, Nat. Really. The security system is top-notch, and no one knows I'm here. It's just what I need right now."

Natalie's brow furrowed slightly, her protective instincts clearly at war with her desire to respect Piper's wishes. "I know, it's just... I've seen a lot of crazy things over the years with this job."

"I appreciate that, more than you know. But this isn't L.A. No one's looking for me here. I'll be fine."

Natalie's expression softened, though a hint of concern lingered in her eyes. "You'll call if anything feels off? Even if it's just a hunch?"

"Yes," Piper said before a mischievous grin spread across her face. "Although the scariest thing I've encountered so far is that spider in the attic. Remember how James screamed?"

Natalie burst out laughing. "Oh god, I thought we were under attack! I've never seen him move so fast."

The conversation flowed easily between them, punctuated by laughter and shared memories of the week's renovation adventures. Ryan had kept the whole project moving because he was the only one with actual construction experience from helping his older brother build his house when he was a teenager. They'd had plenty of near misses and mistakes along the way, but Piper had never taken it too seriously.

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, a comfortable silence fell between them.

Piper took a deep breath, savoring the peace that settled over her. For the first time in years, she felt truly at ease. The weight of constant scrutiny, the pressure of her public image – it all seemed to melt away here, replaced by the gentle lapping of waves hitting the shore.

"You know," Piper said softly, her eyes still fixed on the darkening sky, "I think this is exactly what I needed. A place to just... be."

Natalie hummed in agreement. "It suits you. I haven't seen you this relaxed in a very long time."

Piper nodded, a small smile playing at her lips. "I'm so glad we came up here."