Chapter Twenty-Five
P IPER
I took the last hot roller from Sophie’s hair while Carlos’s friend, Juan, finished her makeup. Kerrie had asked us to come help Sophie and Mya get ready for homecoming, and of course, we couldn’t say no.
“Is she ready yet?” I heard Maude say outside the bathroom door.
“Almost.” I turned to Sophie. “You look beautiful.”
Her long dark hair hung in waves down the middle of her back. She wore a short, light blue strapless dress with silver heels. Carlos had done some temporary henna tattoos on her arms that was art in itself.
“Oh, girl, the boys will be drooling over you.” Juan stood back to admire her flawless makeup.
“Sophie is not going to the dance to impress boys,” Carlos said with a frown. “Our girl is going tonight to have fun with friends.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Well, you’re both right. I’m definitely not making getting a guy’s attention my main goal for the night, but if someone happens to notice me and wants to dance...”
Carlos chuckled. “Alright, darling, let’s go show you off to your mom and Maude. They’re armed with cameras and ready to make you pose.”
“Let me know when you want me to open the door,” I said.
Carlos counted to three, and I swung the bathroom door open.
Kerrie teared up. “Oh, my gosh, my baby looks so grown up.” She took Sophie’s face in her hands, admiring her.
“Mom, I love you, but you’re going to mess up my makeup.” Sophie laughed, stepping back.
Maude began to give orders on posing in front of the fireplace. Some pictures had Kerrie in them, others had Mya, then we made Carlos take a few with Maude, Kerrie, Sophie, and I. Then, of course, Carlos and Juan wanted some. About twenty minutes and two thousand pictures later, Sophie waved us off.
“Okay, I think we’ve got enough. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late.”
Maude handed her the keys to her car. “Be safe tonight. Same rules about phones.”
“And you need to call me when you reach Mya’s house. Her dad already knows you have a midnight curfew, so be on time.” Kerrie gave her one last hug.
Once she left, we cleaned up the makeup, hair things, and jewelry still left on the bathroom counter.
We sat in the living room while Kerrie called the younger kids to tell them goodnight. They were staying with her ex’s parents for the night since they hadn’t gotten to see them in a few weeks.
Maude appeared holding a bottle of blackberry wine. “I think we made a great team tonight. Sophie seemed so happy.”
“I agree.” Kerrie smiled. “You guys were awesome to come over and make her last homecoming dance special for her.”
“She deserves it. You all do,” I said. I accepted a small glass of wine. After we all had some in our cups, we clinked them together. “So, I wanted to tell you guys something.”
Maude quirked an eyebrow. “Hmm? Now you’ve got me worried since you waited for us all to have a drink in us to say something.”
I chuckled. “Funny, but actually, I decided I’m over Minho now. The last few nights, I’ve been working with Carlos to design a greeting card.”
“And not just any greeting card.” Carlos smirked.
Leaning down, I reached into my purse, which sat beside the coffee table. “I’ve designed a greeting card for my ex.”
Kerrie practically spit her wine, then thumped her chest as if choking. “Wait, you mean like your drunk, butt-dialing card?”
“No. I decided to be more mature about things. It’s a congratulations on your upcoming wedding card. I did the writing, and Carlos designed the floral art for it.”
“You’re really going to leave him a card?” Kerrie asked.
“Yeah. In the end, I realized I needed to forgive, forget, and move on. The more I hold onto things, the less likely I’ll be able to let go. And I’m more than ready to let go,” I said. “Also, I started moving this past week.”
“Jesus H. Christ, why are we just now finding this out?” Maude set her cup down. “I thought you didn’t find any apartments you liked when we did walk-throughs.”
I flushed. “Actually, David got ahold of me right after you left about another apartment opening up. And I didn’t tell you all right away because I needed to work through some of this on my own.”
“How far is it from where you are now?” Carlos asked.
“Not too far. In fact, Maude and Kerrie have been there before.” I tried to keep from grinning.
“We have?” Maude gave me one of her what-are-you-talking-about looks.
“Yeah, the night Wooyoung bonded us from jail.”
“Oh.” Kerrie’s eyes widened. “So, you’ve moved into his apartment complex?”
“God, no.” I laughed. “I was totally kidding. I would never put anyone through what I’ve gone through with Minho. I actually found a cute apartment overlooking Navy Pier and the River Walk.”
“Geesh, you about gave me a heart attack.” Maude’s furrowed brow relaxed.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
“Navy Pier, that’ll definitely be a better view than the moonlit apartment we toured.” Maude leaned forward to set her cup back on the coffee table.
“You’re not lying.” I glanced between my friends. “Also, I’ve decided it’s definitely time I let Wooyoung know how I really feel. If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work. However, I’ll regret it if I don’t at least try.”
“She’s right. Piper either needs to have closure, or a new beginning.” Carlos patted my arm.
“So, what’s this card for Minho say?” Kerrie asked.
“Here, you can read it.” I handed it to her, and Maude leaned over.
“With your future looming bright, and many years ahead, I wish you the best of luck and only happiness to tread. May your days as husband and wife be long and sweet, and may you be met with sunshine and warmth each time you meet. Congratulations to the bride and groom, here’s to making good memories that always loom,” Kerrie read it aloud. “Not bad.”
“Thanks. Not the best thing I wrote, but it came from the heart.” I shrugged.
“And this will bring you closure?” Maude watched me closely.
“Yeah. I’m ready to be over Minho.”
“Good girl. If you need us, you know we’re here.” Kerrie hugged me. “When are you dropping it off?”
“First thing in the morning, right after I get my last box loaded into David’s truck.” It was definitely time, and no matter what happened from here, like Carlos said, I need to have closure.
After I left Maude’s, I headed back to my apartment across from Lake Michigan for one final time. I’d miss the view and the serenity. I’d waited for so long to find a place like this. However, I knew my new apartment would be nice, too. It’d be different, but a change I needed.
First thing I did the next morning was grab my final few things and locked the door. I ambled to Minho’s door and slid the card beneath it. I’d added a small, personalized note, letting him know I was sincere in my wishes and ready to move on. I hoped maybe in the future to mend our friendship, but I would need more time for that step.
The trip to my new home took only scant minutes. I lugged my boxes into the lobby, and rode the elevator up. After I finished getting my stuff situated, I planned on making a trip to Wooyoung’s apartment. Hopefully, I could sneak in with someone else entering since otherwise I’d need a code.
Yeah, I hadn’t really thought this part through.
Once I unpacked, I took a quick shower, put on some clean clothes, dropped David’s truck back off to him, then made my way over to the café where Wooyoung used to get my drinks from.
The barista who’d waited on us the day Wooyoung and I had gone there together peered up when I walked in the door.
“Hi,” I said shyly. “So, a man used to come in here and buy me drinks all the time. I was known as caramel mocha latte girl.”
Her eyes brightened. “Yes, I remember. He hasn’t been in here as much lately.”
I nodded. “I wondered if you could tell me what drink he used to order for himself?”
“Hmm, let me think. He normally got your drink and a vanilla chai tea.” She smiled.
“Can I get a medium vanilla chai tea, then?” I took out my credit card.
“Of course, anything else?”
“No, I think that’ll be it.”
I paid for the drink, then hurried to his apartment complex, walking in with a man wearing a business suit as if I belonged there. Once I took the short elevator up, I stood in the hallway outside his place, debating whether or not I should knock or if he’d be out soon. Damn it, maybe I should’ve planned this for Monday when I knew he’d have to leave for work.
Before I freaked out any further, the door opened and Wooyoung stepped out, sporting a pair of jeans and gray sweater.
“Oh, Piper, hi. What are you doing here?” He glanced around as if trying to figure out who let me in.
I handed him the chai tea. “Our relationship shouldn’t be one sided.”
He stared at the cup, then took a sip. His eyes widened. “How did you know I liked vanilla chai tea?”
“You’re not the only one who can do some detective work.” I smiled. “And, to answer your first question, I kind of snuck in with one of the tenants. They definitely need better security.”
He chuckled. “Of course, you did. And yeah, I should definitely have a talk with building manager about this.”
“I hope I’m not too late.” Taking a deep breath, I stepped closer to him. “Wooyoung, I’m sorry. You were right about everything. About my not being able to let go of Minho, about harboring anger, and not giving you a proper chance. But, I see you now.” I touched his face, my fingers tracing his jawline. “I more than see you—I-I love you. Please forg—”
Wooyoung’s lips met mine. The taste of tea clung to his mouth as he kissed me. My insides danced like cloggers on a wooden stage.
Yes. This is what I’d been waiting for. Wooyoung.
He pulled back, staring down at me. “I’ve missed you.”
“Really?” I grinned. “I thought you’d appreciate not getting calls in the middle of the night for bond money or being roped into being my getaway ride.”
He chuckled, stroking my cheek. “My life was definitely boring without you. And you’re not the only one who should be apologizing. I should’ve come clean sooner about Minho and Hani. It was wrong for me to keep what I knew a secret.”
“It’s in the past now. I want to focus more on the future.”
“I like that sound of that,” he whispered as he leaned in for another kiss.
It was hard to believe this all started with a couple of exes, a few nights out with friends, and a barroom brawl. I wasn’t sure what would happen next, but like any good story, I couldn’t wait to turn the page and get to the next chapter.