For once, she was happy.
Audrey walked up to the door of Reese Allen’s dance studio, pulled it open, and entered. With its yellow walls, black vintage accents, and awesome lighting, Reese had put together one hell of a studio. From what Piper had told her, Reese was already surpassing a lot of the already established studios in Nashville. She had brought a lot of business from New York, and was attracting students from all around the world. It was crazy, because Audrey thought Reese was a bitch and had no clue why anyone would want to take dance lessons from her.
Audrey went to the front desk to ask where Allison’s dance room was. As she made her way there she took in the décor. The walls were filled with pictures of Reese, in costume, dancing various roles she had performed. Audrey had always wondered why Reese decided to open a studio instead of staying with the dance company she’d been with in New York. She was obviously good; maybe something had happened to bring her home.
She spotted Piper standing in front of a large window and went over to her. Piper smiled and hugged her.
When they separated, Audrey asked, “What’s wrong?”
Piper shrugged, said, “I’m a mess.”
“Why?”
Her eyes pooled with tears. “Erik said he didn’t want to be with me.”
“What?” Audrey said, surprised. “But I thought everything was okay. You were happy and all that jazz.”
“I thought so too, but when he was gone, he never called or texted me back, and when he came home, I went over to see him and he told me that he had made a mistake, that he should never have gone home with me, that he doesn’t like me that way. He apologized and said he didn’t mean to hurt me. But Audrey, I love him, and I don’t understand what I did wrong.”
Audrey wrapped her arms around Piper as her friend started to cry. She had never heard Piper cry, and it upset her to hear it now. “Oh, Pipe.”
“I don’t understand. He looked me in the eyes and told me how gorgeous I was while we were in bed. So why doesn’t he want me now?”
Audrey shook her head. “I don’t know, hon. I have no clue what to say. I’m so sorry.”
“Do you think I did something wrong?” her friend asked.
“Never, Piper, you are amazing, it has to be him. Maybe he just doesn’t want a relationship right now?”
“Then why did he lead me on? Why wasn’t I good enough?”
“Oh, Piper, don’t do this to yourself. You will find that person. Erik just wasn’t the one.”
Piper nodded as she wiped her face as Audrey looked at little girls wearing cute little pink tutus running around the room. Piper turned to her and said, “Thanks for rushing down here. I guess it was kind of pointless, huh?”
“No, I would do it again if you needed me. Just keep your chin up; everything is going to work out.”
Piper eyed her a moment and then smiled. “You’ve been getting laid.”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “Jeez, really?”
“Oh yes you have! You are all sunshine and roses!”
Audrey laughed. “If you’d answer your phone you’d know.”
“Oh please tell me something good. At least if I know you’re happy, maybe it will cheer me up.”
Audrey smiled, wanting to burst with the news. It had been so long since she had been excited about a relationship. She hadn’t told anyone because she wasn’t sure if Tate wanted to tell people. If he didn’t, well, she still needed to tell Piper.
“But if it starts and ends with Levi,” Piper added, “please walk away now, because I don’t want to hear it.”
Audrey, smiling, shook her head. “It has nothing to do with him and everything to do with Tate Ooooodder.”
Piper did a little hop before bouncing up and down. “Yes! That is fantastic news. I am so happy for you.”