“That’s all going on the assumption that anyone would find out.” She smirked. “And who’s going to find out? You’re in New York. You’re two consenting adults. This is your opportunity to show him the sexy, confident woman you are. This is your chance to make himseeyou.”
“To what end?” I hedged.
“Oh please. Don’t insult both our intelligence.”
I laughed. She had me there.
“What happened to seizing life by the balls? To doing what you want and not going along with what everyone else expects of you?” She let her unspoken challenge hang in the air.
“Yeah, but he’s my boss. My dad’s best friend…” I said, as if repeating the reasons keeping us apart would make me want him any less.
“And the only man you’ve been in love with since forever.”
Yeah. There’s that.
“Love?” I scoffed. “It was an infatuation, and a childish one at that.”
“Mm-hmm. So, you’re telling me he wouldn’t still make your list of kiss, marry, fuck?”
I hesitated too long, and she said, “I knew it. He’s totally on your list of dream fucks.”
“Which is where he’ll stay. I mean, how would you feel if you had a chance to be with…one of the Hemsworth brothers.”
“Are we talking Chris or Liam?”
“Does it matter?” I asked, thinking they were both hot and this was a freaking hypothetical question.
“Yes.” She stared me down. “It absolutely matters.”
“Fine,” I huffed. “Pick your favorite Hemsworth and imagine if you had the chance to be alone with him for an evening.”
She purred, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Focus, Piper.”
“I am focused. And I’m telling you to go for it.”
“Go for it?” I snorted. “Be serious.”
“I am serious. It’s not like I’m telling you to proposition him. Just…maybe add a little oomph to the hair and makeup. Wear a sexy dress. Allow yourself to flirt with him and explore what’s between you two. Because there’s clearlysomethingthere.”
“Piper.” I stared at her through the screen, but she didn’t back down.
“Sumner.” She glared back at me, holding my gaze a moment before saying, “You want him to see you as a woman, you have to see yourself that way first.”
“Oh my god.” I rolled my eyes. “You sound like my mom.”
“The woman knows her stuff. Have you read her latest book?”
“No.” My shoulders slumped. “I haven’t had time. But thanks for telling me. And, yes—in the words of my mom—I have stepped into my feminine power.”
She shook her head. “Not with him, you haven’t. You filter your relationship through the same lens of hero worship you always have. You need to stop thinking of him as Jonathan Wolfe,” she said, deepening her voice. “And start treating him like you would any other man you were interested in.”
I considered her words, but she didn’t understand. Sure, she’d dated guys in the past. But it was never serious. Not like how I felt about Jonathan. And half the time, I worried it was all one-sided.
“This is it,” she said, her tone more somber. “This summer. You don’t act now, you never will.”
I swallowed hard, knowing she was right. But still… “Maybe I shouldn’t act. May—”
“I’m going to stop you right there. Sumner.” Her gaze was intense, even from nearly 3,000 miles away. “Do you want him?”
