by Tara Leigh
The glare Piper gave Travis from across the table belied his assessment. “I don’t get off until late tonight,” I said, not exactly jumping at the chance to hang out with her either.
Travis responded with a short shake of his head, the restaurant’s recessed spotlights glinting off his bald scalp. “Not a problem. My parties don’t get good until late, anyway.”
I flicked a tongue over suddenly dry lips. “Well, I’m not exactly dressed appropriately, and I don’t have a change of clothes here,” I said, looking down at my standard waitress attire of white shirt and black pants.
“Oh, Delaney, that’s too bad. I guess we’ll just have to do it another time,” Piper chirped, the obvious snub bringing back memories that filled my mind like a swarm of angry bees, buzzing and stinging at will.
Oh, Delaney, you don’t really want to try out for cheerleading, do you? I mean, being out in front of the stands, representing our school, it’s just such a huge responsibility. And, of course, the uniforms aren’t exactly forgiving.
Oh, Delaney, this party’s not really for the whole school. Just a few friends, and friends of friends. You understand, right?
Oh, Delaney, I’m jealous you have so much free time to study. Between cheer practice, football games, hanging out with my squad and all the players, and of course, chairing the prom committee, I barely have time to crack a book.
How many “Oh, Delaney’s” had I heard from Piper and her friends over the years? Too many. And her caustic tone was just as abrasive now as it was then.
Travis rolled his shoulders, eyes narrowing as he looked back and forth between us. “You two are just about the same size, and I’ve never seen you in the same thing twice, Piper. I’m sure you have something for Delaney to wear.”
My breath caught in my throat. Was I really the same size as Piper Hastings? I cast a discreet glance her way. Not quite, but not too far off either. Grief was a pretty effective diet. “That’s really generous, but I just don’t think—”
Piper let loose a high-pitched chortle. “After being on her feet all day, you can’t blame Delaney for not wanting to put on a dress and heels.” I gnashed my teeth at the latest comment from the peanut gallery. Piper didn’t want me at Travis’s party; I got the hint, loud and clear.
Travis, not so much. He flicked an exasperated glance at Piper. “Last time I checked, I had plenty of seating. Besides, no one turns down an invitation to one of my parties, Delaney.”
A tingle of curiosity pricked at my skin. I wasn’t in high school anymore. Why was I letting Piper exclude me from all the fun?
Fun. Did I even know what fun was anymore?
Maybe it was because I hadn’t been to a party in three years. Maybe it was because I was enjoying the irritation smeared across Piper’s face a little too much. Maybe it was because Travis didn’t seem like he was going to take no for an answer. Maybe it was all three, because when I opened my mouth, not a single one of the dozen excuses I had at the tip of my tongue emerged. “Well, I guess I wouldn’t want to spoil your perfect track record.”
“Great.” Travis slapped the table with a resounding thwack. “What time does your shift end? Piper will pick you up here.”
“Around eleven, sometimes a little after,” I answered, my brief flare of rebellion already fading. Partying with Hollywood A-listers? Not exactly my crowd, any more than Piper’s cheerleading squad and the jocks they hung out with had been in high school. “But there’s no need for that. If you give me your address, I’ll call an Uber.” Yeah, right. Another lie. Without a doubt, I’d be in my pajamas by midnight. As usual.
My hesitation must have been obvious, and Travis was clearly no fool. “Absolutely not. Piper will be happy to pick you up after your shift ends, with something suitable to wear. Isn’t that right, Piper?”
I winced at the little daggers of outrage glinting from her wide-set eyes. “Sure thing, boss.”
“Good. It’s settled, then,” Travis pronounced.
Settled? Crap. What have I done? “Are you sure, Piper? I don’t want to put you out of your way,” I sputtered, silently begging her to get me out of the mess I’d created.
An overly bright smile twisting her perfectly lined and glossed lips, Piper’s voice was honey with a saccharine chaser. Nauseatingly sweet with an artificial aftertaste. “Don’t mention it. Coming back to pick you up, bringing an outfit, it’s no trouble at all. I’m just thrilled you don’t already have plans.”
I hadn’t made plans in three years. Why bother when life stole your lemonade and pelted you with rotten lemons instead? If I wasn’t working, I was usually home with my nose buried in a book or binge-watching shows from my Netflix queue. Living through fictional characters whose lives were so much better than mine. “Well, okay then.” I pushed the words out of my mouth, wishing I could swallow them whole instead. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
Travis set down his cocktail. “Going to be a good crowd tonight. Trust me, you won’t regret it.”
Too late. I already did.
But what the hell, just add it to the list. I’d accumulated a lot of regrets in my twenty-four years. What was one more?
About the Author
TARA LEIGH attended Washington University in St. Louis and Columbia Business School in New York, and worked on Wall Street and Main Street before “retiring” to become a wife and mother. When the people in her head became just as real as the people in her life, she decided to put their stories on paper. Tara currently lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut, with her husband, children, and fur-baby, Pixie. She is represented by Jessica Alvarez of BookEnds.
Learn more at:
www.taraleighbooks.com
Twitter @TaraLeighBooks
Facebook.com/TaraLeighAuthor
Also by Tara Leigh
The Nothing but Trouble Series
Rock King
Rock Legend
The Lies Series
Throne of Lies
Legacy of Lies
The Billionaire Bosses Series
Penthouse Player
Deal Breaker
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