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“Does everyone work here?” Piper says with a laugh, looking down at me. I shrug.
“We like to hire good people. Clearly we surround ourselves with good people.”
“Agreed,” Savannah says, and then reaches out, touching Piper’s shoulder. “You look beautiful. Thanks again.” And then she turns and walks off, leaving me looking up at Piper, utterly confused.
“What in the hell was that about?” I ask, but she just smiles down at me, her hand lifting from my shoulder to hold out for my own.
“Dance with me?”
I’m about to tell her there’s no chance in hell I’m dancing on that tiny dance floor when she gives me a pleading look. To add insult to injury, Fred breezes past, a blonde girl at least a foot shorter than him on his arm, heading straight toward the throng of dancers.
“You’re lucky I love you,” I breathe, taking her hand.
“I know.” Piper squeezes my fingers, and I let her lead me to the edge of the floor, where she turns to face me, her arms wrapping around my neck. I take her waist as we sway.
“I’m gonna need an explanation at some point.” I keep my voice low, and she smiles up at me, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
“I may have helped Savannah find a new job.” I freeze momentarily, staring down at her. “What? Lisa, my sponsor, needs some help on weekends. Savannah wants to go into weddings.” The woman in my arms shrugs, as if she hadn’t helped her boyfriend’s former fuck buddy secure employment.
“You are…” I struggle to find a word appropriate for the situation.
“Incredible?” she asks. “Stupendous? Amazing? Fan-flipping-tastic?”
“All of the above.” She laughs as I pull her toward me, bringing her chest flush to mine as I give her a peck on the lips.
“Mind if I cut in?”
My whole body tenses, and Piper can tell when we pull apart that something is wrong, because I know exactly who’s standing behind me without having to turn. But I do, tightening my grip around Piper, as we both look at my dad.
Chapter 56
Piper
Thereareveryfewthings that could surprise me more than Chris Westfall asking for me to dance. Alex backing down from a fight, an un-stylish Vic, Fitz on a unicycle come to mind. And those are the thoughts I keep in my head as I try my best to smile at the man behind Fitz, whose arms feel like vices around my already tight waist. He keeps this up, I’m going to puke.
“Sure,” I breathe, and Fitz swivels to look at me, narrowing his eyes. I place a hand on his chest. “I’m sure Mr. Westfall will be more than courteous.” I look over his shoulder, directly at Chris. “Right?”
“Absolutely,” he replies, and Fitz lets out a humorless laugh. “Son, you don’t-"
“Don’tsonme.” Fitz’s voice is a little louder than I think even he realizes, and several heads turn our direction, including Freddy, who has a cute blonde in his arms.Go Freddy. Fitz lets go of my waist, one hand on my lower back as he steps toward his dad, bringing me with him. “I’m not about to try to tell this woman what to do,” he starts, glancing toward me, and my heart stutters a bit. “But I’m not stupid, and I’ll be standing right there in case you try anything.” He points to a vague area just off the dance floor, and Chris nods, offering me a hand.
I take it, barely touching him as he guides me back to the dance floor. Fitz steps off, his shoulders squared as I watch Mateo slide up next to him. He’s shed his suit jacket and is now just wearing a white button up, the sleeves rolled to his elbow.
“Piper.” Chris Westfall’s voice drags me back to my body, to where I’m standing with the father of the man that I love - the father who hurt the man that I love. Who made him feel like he couldn’t express an ounce of emotion, for fear of looking weak.
So I answer “Chris,” letting him settle one hand on my waist while I find his shoulder, our other two hands up in a formal stance that gives plenty of space between us.
“Piper, I would like to apologize for my words last weekend.” I swallow, staring at his face, watching the lines crinkle around his eyes like Fitz when he’s anxious.
“Just last weekend?” I say, before I can stop myself, and one of his graying eyebrows raises at my words. Well, shit. I’ve already started on the crazy train. Might as well see it through to the next station. “You’ve hurt more than just my feelings, Chris.”
“I’m not sure what you-"
“Please don’t patronize me.” I don’t think this man is used to getting interrupted, because he’s floundering, mouth half open. “Your insinuation that I’m using your son for a step in my career, and that I’m not qualified to work for your daughter, are moot points, seeing as I’ll be starting with WHG tomorrow.”
He gives a curt nod. “Yes, Francesca told me she extended a formal offer to you.”
“And I took it. But not because I love your son.” I pause. “Ok, that’s a lie. It’s partially because I love your son.” I swear, the corner of his mouth turns up just a bit. “But also because I want to work for someone who recognizes talent, and who looks to build that talent while working toward a common goal.” I nod my chin toward Frannie, who’s standing at the opposite edge of the dance floor from Fitz, Seer next to her, and their eyes are firmly planted on me and her father as we sway.
