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“But you want to!” said Piper.
“It’s not like that! Well…maybe.” His cheeks tinged bright pink. “I don’t know!”
“Wait a minu—is that extra box of cookies for her?” Riley sat up. “Do you have a date tonight?”
He scratched his nose. “Yeah…our second.”
“Aw, Case.” Riley gave him a hug.
“When did this start?” asked Piper.
Casey let go of Riley. “I met her in Duane Reade…buying hand sanitizer.”
“Really?” Riley squeezed his arm. “She’s a germophobe, too?”
“Hardly. Sophie’s doing an infectious disease fellowship at the Langone Medical Center.”
“Noooooo!” Piper doubled over with laughter, swallowing her gum in the process.
“She hates Harry Styles, too…”
Piper fought through a coughing fit. “Oh, fuck! Stop! I c-can’t—ahh, you’re really taking a risk with this one, Case.”
“I think she might be worth it. I think it’s time, you know? Watching you guys move away and try new things…I’ve realized I should, too. Being hurt in the past isn’t a good enough reason not to try again.”
“Well, I’m not going to monopolize you if Sophie’s waiting,” said Riley. “I’ll pop to the washroom and then head to Mom’s. I’ve still got packing to do. Back in a sec, Pip!” She stood and left the room.
“Case…” Piper leaned in. “Is she gone?”
“Yeah.”
“So, Sophie—she’s real?”
“Yep, she’s real.” He chuckled.
“And does this mean…?”
“It does.” Casey exhaled heavily. “It’s been four years—three with Josh, nearly a year with Ben. Riley’s never going to see me in that way. Seeing her so happy with a nice guy like Ben…it’s helped me make peace with it. I’m over the whole unrequited love thing, but please, Pip, keep your promise and don’t say anything.”
Piper winked. “You’re good, sweetie. I swore on Kermit’s life, remember?”
“Yeah. I think you’d like Sophie. She’s fun, loves British TV, and dogs.”
“Case, this is great. You’ll make an awesome boyfriend—I just know it.”
“Thanks.” He smiled. “I really want things to work out for Ben and Riley. I’m gonna miss her a lot…but I want to see my friend happy.”
Riley returned to the room, catching his last few words. “What friend’s that, then?”
“You, you silly moo.” Casey laughed and playfully punched her arm.
• • •
Riley sat back on her heels, her large suitcase stuffed to the brim with clothes, favorite novels, and two photo books of memories: the one Ben gave her at Christmas, and a going-away present from Maggie. Her smaller pink case, the one Ben had taken by mistake a year ago, was flipped open with just enough room remaining for Puffin. I’ll have to sit on both these beasts to get them zipped up.
Maggie hovered nearby, too restless to sit. “Is there anything else you need, sweetheart? I can make you sandwiches in the morning? Airplane food is always hit or miss, right?”
Riley unzipped her backpack, checking its contents again. “Hmm, not sure, Mom. My stomach keeps flipping. I’m so nervous.”
