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"Miles grabbed them. Went off to a florist and bought up every blue flower they had." I shifted the bouquet around, taking a good look at it. I didn't know the flower types off the top of my head but they were a wide assortment, all blue. It didn’t work out like a normal bouquet because it wasn’t one. It was a Piper bouquet.
"We’re still going to Gianna’s after?" Kassie asked, the second question lying thick in her words. She glanced back with a purposeful look to the little crowds congregated, where Piper must’ve been.
"Yeah." I nodded. "I’ll text you the time."
Ryan laid a hand on my shoulder. "I’m proud of you, Adam."
"Thanks, captain."
The room emptied a little but I stayed, waiting patiently at the end. Off in the corner, I could see a bunch of other RAs, shaking Piper’s hand one after another, again and again. A blush played on her cheeks but she was gracious to all of them.
That’s just who she is.
"Hey, dude," Zariah murmured and stood next to me for a moment, hitting my shoulder with hers. "I need that shot of you in the apron. See if Piper can email it to me."
June just rolled her eyes and grabbed her by the arm, hauling her off towards the door.
And then, King.
King stood in front of me with his arms crossed. We looked at each other for a long moment and I nodded. There wasn’t anything he needed to say. I got it. He got it. And I appreciated the help.
Without a word, he followed after the others, and the remaining people from the room left. A few of them parted in front of me and there she was.
Piper Fontaine. My ice princess.
For the presentation, she wore a knee-length blue skirt and a white shirt tucked in. The shade of lipstick, bright red. Her hair, perfect. Her face, bright.
She looked so beautiful and—goddamn—she was so much more put together than I was. Even if my friends cleaned me up, I still had the dark circles under my eyes and the heaviness of my steps that couldn’t be masked. And there she was, shining so bright. Nothing else came close.
Her voice was soft. "Hi."
"Hey," I croaked.
Piper took steps forward, I crossed half of the space between us, but we both kept a healthy distance. But this wasn’t about our relationship. I needed to have a real conversation with her about what she needed to be on the lookout for.
"Adam…" She stopped herself. "I have to…talk with the judges…"
Right behind her, I could see the audience. All of her bosses and her bosses’ bosses and even the people that they sucked up to, who clearly wanted her attention. Who deserved it more than I did.
I took a deep breath. "My dad called."
Her face cleared instantly. "What?"
"But you have to talk to them. Now. You can’t put that aside," I said, my voice firm. "This is that opportunity."
"What do you mean—your dad called?" She reached up to touch my arm and drew her hand back. "When? What did he say? Did he—did he say he’s sorry?"
Oh, Piper.
"You need to go talk to them," I urged. "They’re waiting for you."
"No. I need to know."
"Go, Piper."
"It’s going to be an interview too," she blurted out. "For Roman Hall."
Holy shit.
