Blue Lines(44)

His eyes were soft and a small smile was on his lips.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

She blinked twice and felt her madness subside a little.

“I’ve never had to do this before. Usually girls don’t matter.”

Yup, she was a pushover because her anger fled right out the window. In so many words, he was saying she mattered, and that had her on cloud nine.

Trying to act like his words didn’t affect her, she muttered, “Okay, just please help me out next time. Your car is superlow.”

“No problem,” he said, his mouth curving in a sexy little smile. “You are a firecracker, you know that?” he added.

Piper smiled shyly.

“It’s gotten worse since I got pregnant. I’m usually such a levelheaded person.”

Trying to push her frustration away, Piper took a moment to scope out the store. OMG, this was so Audrey—the whole place was doused in glitter and bright colors. The shop’s name, Audrey Jane’s, was visible everywhere. Big pictures featuring different types of cupcakes were hung throughout the store, giving it an artsy look. Large chandeliers full of glitter hung from the ceiling over each of the tables; they were decorated with sparkly fringe, adding to the unique ambience. At the front of the store by the checkout counter was a large picture of Audrey and Tate, which hung right below the stores’ name. On each side of their picture were two other large photos, one of Audrey and her sister’s family, and the other a picture of Audrey and Piper, grinning like two kids.

Erik smiled and looked as though he was about to say something when someone screeched, “Piper!”

Piper knew it was Audrey even before she turned to see her best friend looking gorgeous and hugely pregnant. Audrey wore her curly hair up tonight along with a bright pink headband. Her makeup was colorful with bright pinks and blues. Her dress was the eye-catcher, though; it was a strapless, bright sparkly pink tutu style with blue swirls all over it. Looking nine months pregnant instead of just six, Audrey balanced herself on a pair of bright pink studded high heels. She matched her store, all bright and glittery.

Piper smiled brightly as she was wrapped into a tight hug from her friend. When their bellies pressed together, they both parted, laughing.

“Oh my God! It’s really there!” Audrey gushed, pressing her hands against Piper’s belly. Piper did the same to her, and they grinned up at each other.

“I know right?! Gosh, Audrey! Are you having twins?”

Audrey laughed as she shook her head.

“Nah, but I’m pretty sure I am competing for the biggest baby ever. I mean sheesh, look at my fiancé, he is a giant.”

Piper laughed as Tate smiled at her from behind Audrey, and she reached around to hug him tightly. She had always cared for Tate. He was a handsome guy with blond hair and bright blue eyes, and just shy of seven feet in height. Like Piper, he sported a gap between his front teeth as well, and that alone made her love him.

“You look stunning, Piper,” he said in a thick Swedish accent.

His English wasn’t perfect but it had improved since the first time Piper had met him. “Thank you, Tate. I think you’re having a mini giant,” Piper giggled, pointing to Audrey’s belly.

Audrey smiled up at him as he leaned down to kiss her softly.

“Yeah, we are really lucky.”

Piper had to fight back the tears because it was true. They almost lost their baby when Audrey was attacked by her ex. It was a blessing to see them so happy. Pushing away a tinge of jealousy, she was very happy that things worked out for them. She couldn’t help but envy Audrey, who would have the support of her husband, while Piper would rely solely on herself and maybe her family for help.

“Well, I think you are gorgeous, Audrey,” Erik said from behind Piper, before he leaned over to kiss Audrey’s cheek.

Audrey blushed as Tate’s arm tightened around her waist.

“Thank you, Erik.”

Audrey’s smile brightened as Erik did the same, wrapping Piper up in his arm. Piper glanced up at him and smiled softly before looking back at her best friend.

“I just can’t believe it!” Audrey gushed, looking between Piper and Erik.

“Believe what?”

“That y’all are married, having a baby, and happy. I mean it’s crazy! How long have you been dating?” Audrey asked quickly. “I mean I know I’ve been out of commission, but how did I miss this? I know you’ve loved him for, like, ever but I thought he didn’t feel the same. And maybe I shouldn’t have said that … pregnancy-brain, sorry!”

Piper bit her lip, hating that Audrey had let it slip that she had been in love with Erik for a long time. Erik did not need to know that, so rather than acknowledge that statement Piper said, “No, we haven’t been dating at all. I told him I was pregnant; he freaked, left, came back, and asked me to marry him. I said yes.”