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“Good qualities? Um…” Raine paused.
The fact her bestie couldn’t think of a single one wasn’t a good sign.
“There must be something,” Heavenly prompted.
“Actually, yes. He’s really loyal. I mean, he was always staunchly in Hammer’s corner, even when it looked like he might go to prison. Pike never once asked if the allegations that Hammer forced me into a sexual relationship as a minor were true. Considering he wasn’t a member of Shadows then, much less a DM, maybe he should have. But Pike just threw his support behind Hammer as if he knew Macen was innocent.”
Or as if Pike didn’t care, but Heavenly kept that to herself. “Anything else?”
Raine paused again. “Depending on the girl, the fact he’s super creative in the dungeon may or may not be a selling point. Then again, shouldn’t she know that?”
“I don’t think she does. When I talked to Pike, I got the impression she had friend-zoned him.”
“And she managed to bang my brother yet escape without him knowing anything? He’s a freaking PI, and he can’t find her anywhere.” Raine laughed. “That’s epic. I kind of want to shake her hand.”
When her bestie gasped like she’d just had the best idea ever, Heavenly cut in. “Whatever you’re thinking, no.”
“Don’t say that before you’ve even heard my idea. What if I just happen to wander by while you’re talking to her? It would be perfect.”
“For who?” Heavenly said suspiciously, but she giggled.
“For all of us. Maybe neither Pike nor River deserves her, but let’s find out. I can tell her more about both of them while we figure out what’s up with her.”
“You’re stirring the pot. No offense, but Pike didn’t ask you to talk to her. He asked me, probably because you’re a well-documented troublemaker.”
“I am not. I’m…intrepid. Pike would have asked me if he’d thought of it.”
“I doubt that.” Heavenly grinned.
“Well, he should have. Text me when and where you’re going to be. Once Pike leaves the scene, I’ll meander that way, like, by accident.”
“But on purpose?” Heavenly returned tartly.
“Of course. It’ll be fine.”
“I must be crazy.” She sighed, but Raine had a good point. She knew both River and Pike way better. If anyone was going to tell the mystery woman whatever she wanted to know, it would be Raine. “But why not?”
After she gave Raine the details she and Pike had agreed to, Heavenly found a sundress appropriate to wear to a sidewalk cafe, then, just as she would any other day, she texted both Beck and Seth to tell them she was going to meet a woman she knew for lunch. Maybe Seth wouldn’t care, but until he said that, she would assume he did.
The story she sent them wasn’t exactly a lie… She hated to skirt the truth. But some things—if they even wanted to hear it—were best explained in person.
Thirty minutes later, she found the quaint little restaurant with stylish outdoor tables that took advantage of the California sun, each topped with a jaunty umbrella. Heavenly spotted Pike right away in the growing crowd, shoulders crammed in a tight black T-shirt, camo pants paired with combat boots, and black hair arranged into a trendy “mess.” Across the table from him sat a gorgeous redhead with thick lashes, a pert nose, and a pouty lower lip. She was young, probably old enough to drink—but barely. Her soft green sundress tied between her breasts and left a peekaboo triangle of pale flesh visible between the bow and the waistband. Gauzy ruffles ended just above her knees. She finished the look with rattan wedges, a couple of bangles at her slender wrist, and some dangling hoop earrings.
“Pike?” Heavenly called.
He stood quickly and turned to face her. She’d never seen him look nervous before, but he definitely was. “Cullen.”
“What?”
“My name. It’s Cullen,” he murmured somewhere near her ear. “That’s what she calls me.”
Heavenly blinked. Of course he had a first name…she’d simply never been curious what it was. But apparently that’s what the C in C. A. Pike stood for.
“Got it. Anything else?” she whispered.
He shook his head, then turned, tossing an uncharacteristic smile at the redhead. “This is Heavenly. She’s the girlfriend of that doctor friend I told you about, and she’s studying to be a nurse. She hasn’t lived long in LA, either. You two have that in common.” Pike swallowed and turned her way anxiously. “This is Jasmine. She moved here last month. She’s helping to take care of some of my neighbors. We met walking dogs.”
Actually, that sounded…cute—something she’d never imagined Pike would want. Wondering how River had met Jasmine, Heavenly held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
