27. Ren
Chapter 27
Ren
T he Twilight Tavern was vibrant with music and laughter as I walked toward the back room where I was supposed to meet Violet and Jake. I could already see people dancing, their movements illuminated by the flickering candles placed strategically around the room.
I made my way through the crowd, exchanging greetings and accepting birthday wishes, and I couldn’t help but wonder who the hell half the people were. I had very few friends; this was weird. Maybe I should hang out here and get to know people. I shuddered briefly, or not.
I wanted to turn around and go home. But I’d let Violet convince me to meet her and Jake here for a birthday beer. Yeah, right. This had to be some kind of surprise birthday party bull crap.
I made my way through the crowd, the anticipation building in my chest. My heart pounded with a mix of nervousness and excitement. I couldn't help but glance around, searching for Piper’s gorgeous face. The idea of her not showing up filled me with a dread I couldn't shake. But even as my nerves threatened to get the best of me, I knew deep down that Piper would come. She had to.
Never in my life had I been so sure of anything as I was about being with her. The way she smiled, the way she made everything seem brighter and more bearable—it was all I needed. And tonight, amid the laughter and the music, I wanted nothing more than to see her walk through those doors.
The sound of the old jukebox filled the air, but all I could focus on was the hope that Piper would arrive soon.
“Ren,” Paige rushed to my side to hiss in my ear. “I’m going to warn you that there is a tiny surprise party in the back room—nothing to be alarmed about. But I knew you would hate it, so I'm here, letting you know in advance. Act surprised when you get back there. Okay?”
I raised my eyebrows and tilted my head at her. “Like this?”
“God, you’re bad at this.”
“What, being human? I know.”
Shaking her head, she hugged me. “Happy Birthday,” she whispered. “There will be chocolate cake. I promise you it will be worth it.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. Be happy. Go to the back. Don’t worry, they kept it real small, you’ll be okay.” She grinned at me.
“Ren!” Noah rushed out from the swinging doors that led to the back of the bar. “Happy Birthday, Mom said to bring you a beer the second we spot you.” He handed me a frosty mug, and I took a hearty sip.
“Thanks.”
“You still look grim,” Paige observed. “Smile, it’s your dang birthday.”
“I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed,” I confessed. “If I try to smile, I’ll end up looking like a weirdo.”
“I get you. Drink that beer and I’ll bring you another. It’s your birthday, time to get drunk and forget you’re a year older.”
The familiar warmth of the bar wrapped around me as I took another sip of beer. Paige and Noah had already disappeared back into the throng of people, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The room buzzed with laughter and chatter, the clinking of glasses and the shuffling of feet on the worn wooden floor.
I found a spot to sit, closing my eyes for a moment to try to soak in the atmosphere and shake off the lingering sadness. It was hard, though, with memories pressing in from all sides. I hadn’t seen Piper since I’d dropped Cody off, and even though she wasn’t really gone, and all I had to do was wait, I still missed her.
Paige returned with another beer, pulling me from my thoughts. “Here you go. Drink up, birthday boy.”
I smiled, a genuine one this time, and took the beer from her. “Thanks, Paige. Is Piper coming?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes, she is. But you need to go to the back. Seriously, it’s just Jake and Violet. I told you it’s small. Almost like they know you, huh? They’re waiting for you.”
“Okay. In a minute.”
Just as I took a sip of my beer, I saw Jake weaving his way through the crowd. His face lit up when he spotted me, and he raised his hand in a wave. “Come on, we’re in the back room. Happy Birthday!”
“Thanks,” I said, returning his grin. We hugged briefly, the back-slapping kind that Jake was fond of.
He pulled away, his eyes sparking with mischief. “Can’t believe you’re another year older. How does it feel?”
“Honestly? Just another day.” I shrugged, though I knew he’d see right through me.
He chuckled. “Yeah, I get it. Come on. Violet has our table. She’s waiting.”
I followed him through the crowd, making my way through the clusters of people talking and laughing. I was glad to see business had picked up for Paige.
The back room was dimly lit, with a warm, intimate atmosphere. Violet spotted us and waved, patting the seat next to her.
“Hey, birthday boy!” she greeted me with a bright smile, leaning in for a hug once I’d sat down. “Happy Birthday!”
“Thanks, Vi. You know, you didn’t have to do all this,” I said, gesturing to the festive decorations around the room.
Streamers and balloons hung from the ceiling, and a large banner that read “Happy Birthday” stretched across one wall.
“Oh, hush, it’s your special day and your first birthday in Honeybrook Hollow, we wanted to make it memorable.”
“Well, I appreciate it. And I’m really grateful you didn’t yell surprise at me,” I joked.
“We knew you’d hate that,” she nudged my side and held her glass up for a toast and mouthed the word “surprise”.
I clinked my glass to hers with a smile while trying not to scan the space for Piper.
“She’ll be here any minute,” Violet leaned in to whisper. “Don’t you worry.”
“How is she?” I asked.
“She’s great,” Jake answered. “She’s now the official sole owner of Something Sweet—Dana signed the papers. And so far, Richard is staying out of the picture.”
“Good.” I nodded in relief.
“More importantly,” Violet said, “she's better now. You'll see for yourself once she gets here.”
Jake’s phone went off with a text message alert. “Speaking of…”
He got up and headed for the employee door in the back of the room.
Moments later, I saw Jake emerge from the back door, this time with Piper by his side. She was pushing a massive cake on a wheeled tray, her face glowing with pride and excitement. Jake was helping guide the tray, his hands steadying the sides to ensure it didn't topple over.
The cake was a replica of her house.
It was white, with a bright pink door just like hers.
They stopped at the edge of the table. She flipped a little switch, and the windows lit up.
I took it in.
In shock.
In awe.
And in love with her more than I could ever hope to express in words.
Raccoons dashed across the roof, climbing down the side of the house and out the windows. Her roses bloomed brightly on the trellis, while her hummingbird feeder hung delicately from the roof line.
Tiny versions of Smog and Nimbus were perched on the porch steps while a miniature Cody sprawled in the doorway. There was even a little ball of yarn on the chair I had sat in when I first spoke to her the day I moved in.
I blinked back tears when I saw tiny models of the two of us sitting on her porch swing, she in the same caftan and ratty robe she had worn that first day, complete with green cheeks and me in my jogging clothes.
“Piper.” I let out a breath. “This is amazing.”
“Wait.” She flipped another switch, and smoke drifted out of the chimney. “We haven’t had a chance for a fire in the fireplace yet, but we will.” Her eyes met mine as a tremulous smile unfurled across her beautiful face.
“I love it.” I love you.
“Let’s give them a minute,” Jake said, taking Violet’s hand to guide her to the arched entrance leading to the central part of the bar. “I want to dance with you, gorgeous.”
I waited until they were out of earshot before speaking. My heart was full.
I pulled her close, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.
The intricate details of the miniature house she had crafted, each element so thoughtfully chosen, mirrored the love and care I wanted to pour into her.
“Piper, you have no idea how much this means to me,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
She smiled softly, her hand gently caressing my cheek. “I wanted to create something special for you, Ren. My house is a place where our memories will live, and it’s a reminder of how far we've come and how much more we have to look forward to.” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she rested her forehead against my chest. “I guess I wanted to show you what you mean to me. Happy Birthday. This is where I fell in love with you, Ren. I love you.”
“You telling me you love me is the best birthday present I’ve ever received. I love you, too.”
“I thought about everything when we were apart, all that I’ve been through and all that I’ve lost. And I realized how different you are. I realized that I love you without thinking or trying. It’s just there, a living, breathing part of me. Every detail matters. Every memory is part of why I’ll never let you go again.”
“I never want to lose you.”
“You never lost me. Not really. And the fact that you gave me the space to get myself together means the world to me.”
“I’m glad. I missed you, though.”
“I missed you, too. And I have one more present for you.” She handed me a small wrapped box with a red bow on top. “Open it.”
I tore the paper off and popped the lid open. It was her knitting. A scarf? I raised my eyes to hers. “I love it.”
“Yes. It is a scarf.” Laughing, she took it from my hands and wrapped it around my neck, frowning as she tried to adjust it. “Well, it’s sort of a scarf. It’s not perfect, but it will be warm at least.
“I’ll wear it every time it gets cold. It’s perfect because you made it.”
I looked into her eyes, the world fading away until it was just the two of us. Slowly, I leaned in, my heart pounding in my chest. Her breath mingled with mine.
Our lips met gently at first, a tender brush that sent shivers down my spine. The kiss deepened, and I wrapped her tight in my arms, pulling her closer. I wanted to meld into her, to never let her go. She tangled her fingers in my hair, and every worry, doubt, and fear melted away, leaving only the pure joy of this moment.
When we finally pulled apart, I opened my eyes to find her gazing at me with the same intensity, the same love that surged through me.
“I love you, Piper,” I whispered, the words coming out as more of a reverent prayer than a declaration.
“I love you, too. Always, Ren.”