Five

Her spoon clanked loudly on the counter. Fuck. I didn’t want to tell her like that.

“What?!” Piper snapped her gum and dropped the remote. “Did you say yes?”

Riley opened her mouth, about to say something, but settled into a silent pout. She scattered more cheese and then stopped, her eyes fixed on the plate. “I was going to suggest we take a break. With everything going on, I thought we could both use some space, focus on school and stuff without the constant obligation of checking in with each other every day. Then after graduation, we could see if we wanted the same things—see if we wanted to stay together.” She spun the plate around, her finger trailing along its edge. “On Thursday, we were alone—finally—and I think he sensed something was up. He took me out for a surprise meal. Fucking great, right? I’d have to do it in a public place. Not ideal, but I was running out of chances since he’d be playing hockey again the next day…but before I could say anything, he asked me. I couldn’t believe it! He got down on one knee with two packages of Reese’s—”

“That’s lame.”

“He had a toy ring underneath the candy. He said he loved me so much he couldn’t wait any longer to make things official. He doesn’t want to spend another winter without me and…” Her eyes drifted across the wall, settling on her Lairds and Liars calendar.

“And what?”

“He said…” As Riley shifted her weight from foot to foot, the floorboards creaked underneath her socks. “He said when he signs with the Wild this spring, he’ll take care of everything…bills and all that…”

“He what?” Piper squinted at the mail on top of Riley’s suitcase. “Oh, so now he’s bribing you? Fucker—”

“He’s not bribing me. It’s what committed couples do, Pip. They support each other emotionally, physically—financially. He says he doesn’t want me to worry—”

“Worry? Jeez, it’s a bit too late for that. My God! Be still my cold heart. Josh is such a romantic.” Piper curled her lip. “The manipulative dick, I’d like to cut—”

“His balls off—yeah, you’ve told me a million times.”

The veins in Piper’s neck bulged. “He’s totally playing with your emotions!”

Riley opened the toaster oven and slid the nachos inside. “No, if anything, he’s being…practical. He knows we’ve grown apart because of the distance, and he knows how desperate I—” Her words stopped abruptly as tears began to sting her eyes.

“Aww, don’t sweetie.” Hopping to her feet, Piper swerved around the ladder and wrapped herself around her best friend. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. It’s just…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “Josh complicating matters isn’t helping.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Wiping her nose, Riley withdrew from the hug and retreated to the fridge. Leaning down, her tired, watery eyes searched its bare interior. “My worst nightmare’s coming true and there’s nothing I can do to stop it, but Josh’s money might make a difference.”

“Why don’t you ask Erika instead?”

Riley selected a crusty bottle of ranch dressing and closed the door. “I know we joke about her being loaded, but it’s Scott’s money, not hers—and besides, they’re saving for their wedding.” She opened the lid and sniffed the contents.

“Yeah, which will cost the same as two years’ tuition and be splashed over Page Six—the hockey star and his ballerina princess.”

“She hasn’t danced for years, Pip. You wear more tutus than she does.”

“I’m just saying you could ask. She’s got money to burn.”

Riley left the bottle on the counter. “No way. Talk about putting her in a really awkward position. I can’t do that to her. And Josh offered—”

“Yeah, putting YOU in a really awkward position. Funny how he never made that kind of financial offer before—”

“He didn’t have money before!” Riley pulled open the toaster oven, peering at the bubbling pool of cheese. “He won’t actually get it until he signs with the Wild after graduation.”

“He was drafted three years ago, right?” Piper hovered, chasing breaths as her voice grew louder. “He’s known about this signing bonus he’ll be getting for THREE YEARS!”

“Piper, enough! You’ll have an asthma attack.” Riley scowled over her shoulder, slamming the toaster oven shut. “Go sit down, you’re in the way—”

“Why didn’t he offer to help eighteen months ago, huh? When everything kicked off? He’s such a fucking dick! He watched you cry over FaceTime, applying for loans, struggling to keep up with school…he only offered when he realized he might lose you.”

Riley threw her a dirty look. “No, he offered because he loves me.”

“That’s not love, that’s manipulation—and when was the last time you said you love him and meant it?”

“I do love him.”

Piper huffed loudly. “He’s holding your heart hostage at the worst possible time and you’re falling for it!” Her eyes swept Riley’s fingers for the toy ring, but the only jewelry was the small moonstone ring of her mom’s that always graced her right hand. “You didn’t say yes, did you?!”

THWUMP, THWUMP, THWUMP!

Riley jumped, her wide eyes glaring at the wall. “Great, my neighbor. She’ll call the super—fucking awesome.” She scowled. “Just…stop yelling! And stop calling Josh a dick. I hate it. I wish you guys would get along—”

“Rye, tell me.” Piper lowered her voice. “Did you say yes?”

She fiddled with her glass. “I’m thinking it over.”

“Riley, no, there’s got to be another way. We’ll figure it out…together.” Piper rubbed her friend’s arm. “If you say yes, you’ll move to Minnesota and end up hitched to a guy you don’t love, raising his brats, and all your dreams of California and a TV career will be gone. Promise me you’ll follow your dream, not some boyfriend? Please don’t throw away your happiness.”

“I’m not. I’m trying to do what’s best—for everyone.” Riley handed her the tequila and lemonade bottles. “And that includes you. Now, let’s drink, eat nachos, and rewrite your dating profile, okay?”

Biting her tongue, Piper tilted the bottles and poured and poured, filing Riley’s glass until lemonade and tequila tickled its rim.