Page 48 of Welcome Home to Ivy Falls

Chapter Fourteen

FORD

Like A Fortress

Maybe I’d overstepped. The entire time we were on the couch Piper’s stomach gurgled like she was hiding a small monster and it was hard to ignore.

When I went next door, I called Mimi’s and ordered. The small pot pie I’d eaten hadn’t made a dent, and I was still starving. I thought I could pass it off as a ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ type gesture. But the truth was wrapped in a plastic shower curtain, or wearing an old concert T-shirt, Piper was a damn vision and I wanted more time with her.

‘Everyone’s got to eat, and after the day you’ve had,’ I glanced at the newly spackled wall, ‘I’d guess you haven’t had food in a while. But if you want me to go, that’s okay. I can leave the food here.’

Her mouth thinned and she clucked her tongue. ‘What kind of pizza is it?’

‘Pepperoni.’

Her jaw twitched. ‘I’m a vegetarian.’

Thankfully I’d thought about that possibility when ordering.

‘Good thing I got half with only veggies.’

She tapped her fingers on her hipbones. ‘I don’t eat dairy either.’

Fuck. Didn’t think of that.

‘All right. Let’s order Thai or Chinese. Whatever you want.’

The corners of her mouth twitched. ‘I’m kidding. I love cheese too much to be dairy-free.’

I let out a sigh of relief and she smiled like she really enjoyed messing with me.

We walked into the family room and Piper stopped short. ‘I have no idea where my plates are in this mess.’

‘Took care of that too.’

I opened the door and paid the pizza delivery guy. Piper waited on the couch and I placed the box down in front of her along with a handful of napkins and paper plates.

‘Thank you. This was thoughtful,’ she said like she might finally be giving in an inch.

We each picked a slice and spent a quiet minute eating. The room was covered in boxes, bins and five suitcases.

‘Did your brother help you move in?’

‘He insisted, even though I’m sure he had a million things going on at work today.’

‘What does he do?’

‘He owns an advertising agency in Nashville with his best friend.’

‘That’s got to keep him busy.’

‘It does and he’s planning a wedding too.’

‘When’s the big day?’

‘Early October. They’re having it in the backyard of the house where I grew up.’

‘That must make your parents happy.’