Page 148 of Until the Last Star Fades

“Yep. I like it up on that floor, but my desk isn’t near anyone else, so it’s a bit lonely. I’d wander and say hi to my co-workers, but it would look bad if my boss needed me and I wasn’t around.”

“The joys of being an assistant.” Piper sighed. “If I worked there, I’d make a point of becoming best friends with you.”

“I know you would, Pip.” Riley blew her nose. “I really miss you guys.” It feels like that’s all I ever say.

“Aw, I know, I feel the same—” Riley’s phone rang and Piper squinted through the screen. “Oh, is that Maggie?”

“No…Nick, my boss. I’ll let him go to voicemail. He probably wants to quarantine me. He’s flying to London on Friday.”

“So, how is Maggie doing?”

“Good!” Riley’s face brightened. “She’s tolerating her anti-rejection meds much better now.”

“That’s great news. Give her a hug from me?”

“I will, once I’m over this stupid cold.” Riley sniffed. “Those meds weaken her immune system, so I can’t see her until I’m better.”

Piper scowled at the screen, noticing the time. “Shit, I should head back. I have to finish an elephant puppet.”

“Pip, I really think you should go to that Halloween party—”

“Maybe. Look, Rye, what you said about missing everyone—you seem really down.”

“Oh, I’m just sick and…being dramatic. I’ll be fine.” I will. I just have to keep telling myself that. “You should go—”

“No, you’re not being dramatic. Look, gimme five? I’ll call my boss, say I have a period emergency and need tampons. I’ll FaceTime you right back.”

“That excuse always works with male bosses.” Riley grinned. “Pip, really, I’m okay. It’s just so new…”

“But just because I’m not there, it doesn’t mean I’m not here for you, okay? You’re not alone.”

“I know, but there’s really no need to ‘buy tampons’.” Riley still felt lonely but laughing with Piper had boosted her mood considerably.

“When’s your next therapy session?”

“Tomorrow, and they’re helping—a lot. I just…slip backward sometimes. My therapist says that’s completely normal.”

“Well, okay, but if you want to talk—”

“I’ll call you.” Riley nodded.

Piper snapped her gum. “You better mean that!”

“I do!” A genuine smile graced Riley’s face. “Pip, just seeing you makes me feel better.”

“Me, too.” Piper blew her a kiss.

“Now, go! My soup’s getting cold—bye!” Riley waved and hit disconnect.

• • •

Riley tapped Ben’s name in her FaceTime app. It’s worth a try. 7:30 P.M. here is…thirty minutes past midnight there. He’s probably still up reading.

The annoying dial tone gave way to a half-assed Harry Potter.

“Riiiiiilles!” Ben’s blue eyes creased with happiness behind round plastic eyeglasses. The Band-Aid on his forehead from his accident was gone, replaced by a smudged lightning bolt between his dark eyebrows. A loose red-and-yellow striped tie curled around his neck, outside the collar of a half-buttoned white dress shirt, and his hair was standing up like he had stuck his finger in an electrical socket. He laughed and stumbled over something, which only made him laugh harder. “Aw, baaaaaaabe, I’ve missed yooooo.”

He’s drunk?! “Ben, where are you?”