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Chapter 7
Piers
After a dayof sun-soaked laziness with Remi, the idea of facing her overprotective uncle at his own dinner table is less than appetizing. Especially since his little furball pretty much cock-blocked me all goddamn day long.
As we walk to her uncle’s house, the sun hanging low in the sky casts everything in a golden glow. I steal glances at her, noticing the way the late afternoon light dances in her hair. We stop at the front door, and I pull her into my arms. “I won’t be long,” I promise as I lean over to kiss her soft lips.
“I’ll be here.” She sighs with a smile before stepping in the door. As I walk back over to my house, I remind myself I won’t have to leave her at the front door once she’s living with me.
An hour later, I grab a bottle of wine and head over to Jasper’s house. He opens the door with a smirk that tells me I’m in for an entertaining evening. “Glad you could make it.”
“Thanks,” I say, handing him the bottle of wine. “Smells incredible in here.”
Jasper grunts out a muttered thank you before leading me into his kitchen. He places a corkscrew on the counter. “Why don’t you open the wine and pour us each a glass while I finish up our dinner?”
“I can do that.” I watch as he buzzes around the kitchen while I open the bottle. “Where’s Remi?” I can’t resist the urge to ask the question humming around in my mind for another second.
“She’s getting ready.” He rolls his eyes. “Actually, I think she’s taking her time, so we have time to hash things out.”
“There isn’t anything for us to hash out.” I hand him one of the glasses of wine. “I’m in love with Remi,” I admit, meeting his hawk-like gaze head-on. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy.”
My words seem to placate him, easing the tension swirling around the room. He nods and goes back to his chopping while I exhale, quietly thankful for small victories.
A little while later, Remi strolls into the kitchen, and I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms as if the world around us doesn’t exist. She fits perfectly against me, and when I lean in to kiss her, the universe clicks into perfect alignment. The world falls away as I focus on the warmth of her skin and the taste of sunshine on her lips.
“Hey there,” she murmurs against my mouth, making my heart race.
“Hey, yourself,” I reply, grinning like an idiot. “You look amazing.”
“So do you,” she shoots back playfully and glances over at Jasper. “It smells great in here. I love your lasagna.”
“That’s why I made it.” He smiles at her as Winston dances around the kitchen, attempting to steal some attention for himself.
“Stop your silliness,” he barks at the little furball, but there’s a warmth to it as he adds, “and you’ll get a treat after dinner.” The dog evidently understands those words because he instantly stops and lies down on his bed in the corner.
I can’t help but laugh as Jasper gestures for us to fill our plates from the array of food he’s made. “Dig in.”
“This all looks delicious.” I pile the food onto my plate, anxious to get a taste of the yummy-looking lasagna.
“Just wait until you taste my secret sauce. It might just change your life,” he says as we carry our plates to the table. His relaxed posture tells me I’ve managed to convince him my intentions are honorable.
I’mout with the crew today with the sun already beating down on us, and I’m in my element. There's something to be said about the satisfaction of a well-trimmed hedge or a perfectly edged lawn. I’m explaining the art of getting those razor-sharp lines to Julian, the new guy, who seems eager but distracted. He gives off the “spoiled, never had a job in his life but daddy’s forcing him to work” vibe, zero real enthusiasm, with a side of fumbling around with the tools like they’re foreign objects.
When his dad called and asked me to hire his unmotivated son, I should’ve followed my instincts and refused, but I’ve always believed in giving everyone a chance. Now, after several hours of dealing with his spoiled ass, I’m regretting my decision to hire him.
“Here you go, Julian,” I’m saying, demonstrating how to hold the trimmer steady and let it glide. “You gotta let the tool do the work. Just a firm hand and…” I’m cut off mid-lesson by the unmistakable hum of an engine approaching. I glance up just in time to see Remi’s little red car pulling to a stop at the curb, and my train of thought jumps the tracks altogether.
She steps out with practiced grace, holding a couple of brown paper bags that look suspiciously like they’re filled with something delicious and a huge to-go cup of iced tea. It’s an unexpected sight, and my cock wakes up and takes notice. This curvy little Cookie is all mine—I’m one lucky motherfucker. Her light sweater dress sways perfectly with the autumn breeze as her hair blows around her stunning heart-shaped face. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Julian freeze mid-task, his gaze unmistakably locked on her.
“Hey, Piers!” Remi’s radiant smile rivals the bright Texas sun.
I brush grass from my hands and head over to meet her, grinning like an idiot. “You brought lunch? You’re a lifesaver,” I say, maybe a bit louder than necessary, mainly to snap Julian out of whatever stupor he’s in.
“I figured you might need it.” She laughs, handing over the bags and drinks. “Plus, I get to see you for a few minutes. I’m sorry I slept through you leaving this morning.”
She has no idea how hard it was for me to leave the house without kissing her goodbye, but I didn’t want to wake her up before the sun even rose. “You were sleeping so soundly, and I didn’t have the heart to wake you up.”
“I wouldn’t mind you waking me up if I get a goodbye kiss out of it.” She wiggles her eyebrows adorably, and I can’t resist the urge to kiss her now.
