Chapter 15 – dorian
fifteen
dorian
We step through the doors of the Whiskey Sage and are immediately assaulted by the heavy sounds of live country music and the thick scent of too many smells mixed together—perfume, body odor, and stale beer.
There’s a reason I don’t frequent bars. I’d rather be in a cozier atmosphere. Less hectic, more controlled.
Like a bookstore.
Which is where I spent most of the day today. I got to meet Piper’s dad and look over some of the store accounts with him after he did his analysis. Turns out she had an accountant for a dad all this time and didn’t want to put him out.
Typical Piper.
Her hand slips into mine, our fingers lacing together. “It’s busy tonight,” she calls over her shoulder. If that’s her way of explaining, she doesn’t need to. I’d take her holding my hand at all times if I could.
I spot Natalie and Ravi at a corner booth with a group of people I don’t know and point them out. We make our way around the dance floor. Natalie’s already wearing a feather boa and pink tiara that announces her birthday, and Ravi has on a vintage Dracula shirt.
“You’re here!” Natalie climbs out of the booth and hugs both of us. When she returns to her seat, Ravi throws an arm over her shoulder.
“Oh, no way,” Piper says, sliding in next to Natalie. “When did this happen?”
Nat grins. “Last week ish.”
“You left us alone in the shop,” Ravi explains. “We had a chance to talk.”
“You told me—”
Natalie shoots her a look. “It took a few more days to sort things out.”
“Didn’t realize I was standing in the way of love.”
“You aren’t anymore,” Ravi says with a shrug.
Piper laughs, reaching over to give him a shove. “Fine, I’m happy for you guys.”
The look in her eyes makes me think she’s worried about potential fallout, but clearly, she’s not going to rain on their brand-new relationship parade.
Natalie introduces me to everyone else at the table before I take Piper’s order and head off to get us something to drink. The crowd tonight is unreal, and when the band stops playing, I know why.
The guitarist takes the microphone. “Thanks for sticking around for us. I don’t know how the secret got out, but judging by the size of this crowd, y’all are here for the same reason I am.”
The screaming erupts.
“I know you came here for some other guys, but we appreciate you hearing us out. You’re a great crowd. Give it up for Carolina Blue!”
I stop in my tracks and look at the stage. That’s a big name in the world of country music, something I know because of an article my sister wrote last year. What a lucky break for Natalie’s birthday. Or maybe she knew ahead of time, like all these other women.
I sidestep a blonde to head toward the bar when she grips my arm tightly. “No way! Dorian McConkie?”
It’s Hannah Brandt in the flesh. She looks much the same as she did in college, only blonder, with long dark eyelashes and a face full of makeup—much more than she used to wear. She’s grinning at me, so I search for a response. “Hi. Wow, Hannah. It’s good to see you.”
“What?”
“It’s good to see you!” I yell.
“I can’t hear you. Come this way.” She takes my hand and tugs me across the floor before I can argue, making me distinctly uncomfortable.
I slip my fingers free but follow her until we reach the doors.
When we step outside and leave the wall of music behind, cold air hits my skin.
She pulls me into an abrupt hug that reeks of perfume. “It’s been so long!”
“It has. How have you been?”
“Great. My books are thriving.” She smacks my shoulder playfully. “I don’t know if you noticed.”
“I saw a couple at Target a few weeks ago.” I don’t tell her they were shelved near mine. She doesn’t know.
Her grin widens. “Can you believe it? Going from writing in your moldy basement to this.”
“Moldy? I think we remember it differently.”
“It always had that weird smell.”
“It was a house full of college guys. Laundry wasn’t our strong suit.”
Her laugh is much louder than the joke deserves. She sways closer. “I’m here with a friend tonight, but we should catch up sometime.”
I shove my hands into my pockets. “Oh. Yeah, that would be fun. I could bring—actually, I’m dating Piper Monroe. She’s here if you want to say hi.”
“Here?” Something flashes in Hannah’s eyes, but I can’t tell what it is. Not panic exactly, but something close. “That would be so nice. Oh, how cute. I thought you two, like, hated each other?”
“Yeah…well, we don’t.”
It’s awkward for a few moments.
I gesture back toward the bar. “I should probably order our—”
“Hannah?” Piper says from right behind me. “I thought that was you, but I couldn’t tell. Oh my gosh, how are you?”
She passes me and goes in for a hug, which Hannah returns. The brilliant smile returns to Hannah’s face. “I’ve missed you! It’s been so long. I was just telling Dorian that we should all catch up sometime.”
“That would be fun.” Piper nods, taking a step back to stand at my side. “I thought…actually, I just came out here to let you know, Dorian, that Ravi wants a water. He, uh, wants to hydrate.”
“I haven’t ordered yet, so you can come with me.
” I draw my hand around her waist and pull her against my side.
Maybe I’m taking liberties by saying we’re dating already.
We haven’t had an official conversation defining our relationship yet, but I kissed her a lot last night, and she’s been glued to me all day.
“Good to see you, Hannah,” I say dismissively before pulling Piper inside.
“You too.”
After we reach the bar and place our order, I lean against it and pull her into my arms. “What’s going on?”
“Hannah told me she was gone all month visiting family in Kentucky. I mean, I know she doesn’t want to teach the class, but have the guts to tell me that. Don’t lie.”
“Fame changes some people.”
“It didn’t change you.”
“Don’t let it change you.”
Piper barks out a laugh. “Give me a break. When I said I planned to tell more people about my books, the more people were like…Nat and Ravi.”
I kiss the tip of her nose. “Baby steps.”
She reaches up and kisses me to the sound of country music and women singing along terribly until our drinks are set on the bartop in front of us. When we carry them back toward our table of friends, we pass Hannah again, holding a tall guy’s hand.
Piper stops. She turns back and grips Hannah lightly by the arm. “Hey, it’s okay that you didn’t want to teach that class. Next time, just tell me.”
Hannah’s eyes go round, but Piper doesn’t give her a chance to respond. She takes her drink and walks back to the table.
We don’t see Hannah again for the rest of the night.