Until Next Time Read Online Free Page A

Until Next Time
Book: Until Next Time Read Online Free
Author: Justine Dell
Pages:
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heard the adoring whispers of “I love you, Little Pip.” Piper’s throat constricted further.
    The pictures behind Marcus changed, showing Doris’s life. She cast a glance at George, who was smiling proudly, but with a misty look on his face.
    “But we know they are in a greater place, a happier place,” Marcus continued. “And they are waiting for us to join them. Be it days, months, or even years, we look forward to future, and cherish the past.”
    Piper’s own father flashed through her mind. His features had once been young and soft, but losing his wife had aged him in more ways than one. He’d given Piper twenty-five years of love, of guidance, of care. Then he’d perished, as swiftly and unexpectedly as her mother. With great effort, she focused back on the man at the podium.
    “So today, we will celebrate all that Doris gave us during her ninety-four years and cherish those memories, knowing that when our time comes, we will see her again and create new memories. While sadness is common in death, one must remember what comes after it. It’s only then that we see the true purpose of life. Of love.”
    Love. Piper looked down, shaking her head. She’d only loved three people her entire life. Her mother, her father, and Steven. And she’d lost them all, one by painful one. Love was overrated. Death was painful. And life, if you choose to share it with others, was ridiculously selfish. Love was selfish. That was why she didn’t do any of those things. When Piper felt the warmth of tears cresting in her eyes, she shot to her feet, almost tipping over her chair. Thank God she was in the back row. Hopefully she didn’t look too much like a spaz.
    Quinn stood next to her.
    “I…uh…have to go.”
    He stepped to the side, allowing her to pass. She slipped as quietly from the room as possible, Quinn’s heat hot on her back. When she got to the threshold of the door, his arm caught her in that comfortable grip. She didn’t dare look at him.
    “Piper? Are you all right?”
    “Fine. I’ll be fine.”
    His hand fell away, and he took a step back. “You sure?”
    She sniffled and fiddled around with her purse to keep from looking at him. “Yes, really. Sorry I interrupted your father’s sermon…I mean, speech. Whatever.” She huffed out a ragged breath. “I’ll see my way to my car.”
    She swiveled about and bolted down the stairs, aching to get away from the pain of lost love. Within seconds she was in her car, air conditioning on full blast, hoping to cool herself down. That was why she didn’t get close to people. People you loved died, leaving a void that could never be replaced. They might go to a better place, but the survivor was left with the tragedy. They were left to remember how selfish the departed had been for loving in the first place.
    <<<<>>>>>
    Quinn leaned against the doorframe and watched Piper practically run to her car. He eyed her with curiosity as the modest two-door roared to life. Then she only sat there, staring aimlessly out the window. Had he done something wrong? Had his father said something to upset her?
    Shaking his head, he continued to keep a keen eye on her. After several minutes and what looked to be many deep breaths, Piper jerked the car into gear and pulled off. He waved, but she didn’t notice. He wanted to call her and ask her—again—if she was, indeed, all right. He didn’t believe she was. Not really.
    Even though he hadn’t seen her eyes as she’d scurried from the house, he knew a haunted stance when he saw one. But what, exactly, was she afraid of? He couldn’t imagine her being afraid of death. She was a funeral director. She saw death every day. Piper, of all people, should be able to cope with it. Understand it. Embrace it. But that didn’t look like the case at all.
    It wasn’t like his family had done anything wrong, or even sad. They had been embracing his grandmother’s life, her love and theirs. They mourned, yes. But death didn’t
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