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Linc looks slightly annoyed, but he nods and picks up his beer again. Harlow smiles and nods in my direction, but then immediately looks around in search of Piper. I’m not totally certain, but I think the addition of three men wasn’t what Harlow planned when she came out with the girls tonight. I feel a little bad about crashing girls’ night, but then I remember the feel of Layna’s hand on my thigh and the promise of more. The guilt is quickly overtaken by lust and anticipation.
I lean close to Layna and whisper, “I’m going back to my office now. If you want to come, it’s down that hallway. Last door on the left.”
I don’t imagine the little shiver that runs over her at my words. Without waiting for an answer, I turn and walk away from her and the booth, hoping no one can see the hard bulge pressing against the front of my jeans. I’m also hoping she follows me. If I had to wager a bet on it, I’d say the odds are in my favor.
I’m not stupid. I know I have a reputation in this town. Ever since high school when I had a major growth spurt one summer and returned to school looking more like a man than the gangly boy I’d been, I haven’t had a difficult time finding a date. I took heavy advantage of that fact in high school and college. But for the past two years, I’ve been too busy with Peach Fuzz to focus on dating. I haven’t had time to do much more than have a quick fling here and there. But I’ve always been up-front about what I want. I’ve never lied to a woman or pretended there was a future with me when there wasn’t. Whatever might happen with Layna tonight is no different. If she wants to have a little fun while she’s in town, I’m game for that. But she lives on the other side of the state. There’s no way this can go beyond a casual hookup.
I feel a little guilty for abandoning my brother and my best friend, but I know they’d understand. Besides, Luke looked cozy with Piper out on the dance floor. And it’s not like Linc and Harlow are total strangers. They’ve known each other since we moved here when we were kids. I don’t know if they were friends, but I didn’t sense any animosity. Linc will behave, I’m sure.
Once I’m in my office with the door closed, I turn to face the door, leaning a hip against my desk to wait. I feel a flutter of nerves as I wonder if Layna will show up. It’s possible I read her all wrong, but I doubt it. I’m usually good at reading people, and she’d been somewhat obvious. At least to me. I don’t think anyone else was paying close enough attention to notice her behavior. Not that it matters to me, but I got the idea that she didn’t want everyone to know. Which is fine by me. I can keep a secret. If she shows up, that is. That hand on my thigh seemed like a clear sign, though.
Anticipation courses through me, making every nerve ending in my body spring to life. My cock is already hard as iron in my pants, and I reach down to adjust myself against the restricting denim. I’m just starting to think she’s not going to show when I see the doorknob turn. I watch the door open silently and smile.
Chapter 2
Presentday
Layna
“Yes, I tried it on,” I say, letting my sister hear my exasperation through the phone. “Just like you told me to.”
“I know. I know,” Piper says. “I’m sorry I’m being such a bridezilla.”
I smile. “You’re not being a bridezilla,” I assure her. “You’re just nervous about the big day. It’s totally normal.”
“I don’t know why I’m so nervous,” she says on a sigh. “I love Luke and I can’t wait to marry him. It’s just that, I hate being the center of attention.”
I laugh. “You’re the bride. That’s kind of your role on your wedding day.”
“Don’t remind me,” she grumbles.
“Look,” I say, sitting up in bed as if that’s going to somehow make my words sound more serious. “You’re having a small ceremony. Less than 100 people. And every person there loves you already. You’re going to be so distracted by how handsome Luke is in his tux and the whirlwind of wedding stuff that you won’t have time to feel nervous. Trust me. This is supposed to be a happy day. Don’t let the nerves ruin that.”
Piper’s wedding is still over a month away, but somehow, she’s managed to call me almost every day this week with some new crisis that isn’t really a crisis. Not that I don’t understand her nerves. I do. She’s never really been a fan of being in the spotlight. Even when we were kids, she always got stage fright when it came to those elementary school programs. She’d nearly tripped over her own shoes when she walked across the stage at her high school graduation.
Today, she’s panicking because she had a dream last night that it was the day of the wedding, and her dress didn’t fit. So, she called me to make sure mine does. And to beg me not to change my food intake in any way. I want to laugh at the absurdity of the whole situation, but she’s my baby sister and it’s clear she’s full of anxiety. It’s my job to talk her down.
“Piper, breathe,” I say, injecting calm order into my voice. “You’re going to be fine. This is the happiest day of your life, remember? You’re marrying the man of your dreams.”
“I know,” she says, but her voice still sounds off.
“What is it?”
She sighs and when she speaks again, her voice is quieter. “I just wish Mom could be there.”
The sharp stab of pain laced with guilt hits me as it always does when I think about our mother. She’s been gone for more than a decade, but some wounds never seem to heal. After her death, I’d had to pick up the pieces and be there for Piper. I’d traded in my big sister role for something more motherly, even knowing I’d never fill the void our mom left when she died.
“I know you do, Pipes,” I say, softly. “I miss her too. Every day. But you know she’d be so proud of you. So happy you found someone who loves you as much as Luke does.”
“You’re right,” Piper says, blowing out a breath.
She still sounds a little off, so I try to inject a little humor. “Besides,” I say. “You know she’d kick your ass if you used her as an excuse to not be happy on your wedding day.”
She lets out a little laugh and I smile. I don’t know if I even believe what I’m saying, but that doesn’t matter. I just need her to believe it.
“You’re right,” she says again. This time she sounds more convincing. “Besides, I still have 6 weeks to convince Luke we should elope.”
“Don’t you dare!” I say. “If I don’t get to see my baby sister walk down the aisle in her wedding dress, I’ll never forgive you.”
