“I kissed him.” I don’t know why I blurt it out, but I need to confide in someone.
“Whoa, what?” He shouts. Thank God I live pretty far away from the rest of the family, otherwise they may have heard his shout. He waves his hands in front of him. “Actually, never mind. I don’t need to know about your sex life.”
“Oh my God, Parker,” I groan. “We didn’t have sex. It was a kiss. I don’t even know why I did it. The stories went great and it was a gut reaction.”
“Maybe you should follow your gut more often.” He shrugs and looks away.
“Pfft. As if I’d take any advice from you.” I shake my head. “I followed my gut in the meeting and that didn’t turn out well. Besides, it’s not like I had your support.”
“The support shouldn’t matter, Little Sister. You should follow your heart.”
“Nope.” Doing that works for other people…not me. “I don’t want to screw things up with our friendship. It’s the one thing I won’t risk.”
He finishes his beer and sets it on the coffee table. “I can’t make you do anything, but think about it. Also, be prepared for the wrath of Pierce. I’m heading out.”
“Take your bottle to the trash can. I’m not your maid.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He waves and grabs the bottle.
I really need for my family to butt out of my life unless I ask them for advice. Or, to you know, support me. The last thing I want from them is dating advice.
six
. . .
beau
All I’ve beenable to think about is Piper’s lips on mine. I never in a million years thought it would happen. At least, not without me instigating it. She’s wrong, though. We weren’t caught up in the moment. Even if it took me by surprise, it felt right. Like something we should have been doing for years.
It’s been a few days since she was at my house. While it’s normal, it’s also not. She hasn’t texted me as much and I know she’s avoiding me. She can lie and say she isn’t, but I know her better than anyone else.
Too bad I have to be at work and can’t confront her about it. I gave her the weekend to deal with what she was feeling. The only thing fueling me is hope she’ll come to her senses and see how well we could work together. Not in the way she’s expecting with the winery, but me and her. Us against the world the way we’ve always been…but with kissing and stuff.
I’ll wait, though. I have been for years. A little longer won’t hurt. The fact she kissed me means she does feel more for me. She only has to stop lying to herself.
My phone dings with a text. Reaching into my pocket, I pull it out. As soon as I see the name, the urge to shove it in my pocket takes over, even though I know I need to answer it. He’ll keep blowing up my phone until I respond. He’s persistent like that. Always has been and always will be.
Pierce
We need to talk.
Beau
Why? I don’t remember doing anything wrong.
There’s a rock in the pit of my stomach because I know what this is about. Honestly, I’m shocked it’s taken him this long to reach out to me.
Pierce
You didn’t try to stop Piper from making those candid posts on social media?
For fuck’s sake. If we keep texting this conversation could go on all day. Talking to Piper’s big brother is the last thing I want to do, but I guess I have to. It’s the only way he’ll leave me alone. Putting it off will only make things worse.
At this point in life, I’m used to being dragged into Summers’ family drama. But he doesn’t know what he’s up against if he thinks I’m going to abandon my best friend. There’s nothing in this world that can make me turn my back on her. Including if she decides she really doesn’t have feelings for me.
Instead of replying, I click his number and wait. It rings three times before he answers. It’s a little long since I know for a fact he has his phone in his hand. My eyes roam around the office to make sure nobody is around.
Should I be making this call in the office? Absolutely not. It’s worth whatever reprimand I may get.
