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It didn’t matter what cou
ld happen between us, she had unknowingly convinced me that whatever the outcome was, it would be worth it with nothing more than her excitement for a small gift and an embrace I felt to my toes.
She pulled away, her face bright, and slipped back into her chair across from mine just as the waitress arrived with our ridiculous assortment of food and began unloading platters in front of us.
“Thank you, Lawson.” She smiled brightly as she began piling different foods onto her plate.
I shook my head. “You’re welcome.”
Her lips pressed together for a fraction of a second, her throat working to muster the courage to say, “This is the best first date ever. I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the second.”
I knew I should be worried. I’d never be able to top this. But I didn’t fucking care. Because Piper Kelley had just told me she wanted a second date. “This?” I waved a hand at the table and the ridiculous amounts of foods laid out on it. “This is nothing. Just wait.”
25
Piper
“Dinner was amazing, Mrs. Reed. It always is, though.” Smith smiled widely, his perfectly straight teeth gleaming. He grabbed his bottle of beer and took a swig before wrapping an arm around Hampton’s broad shoulders.
Beside me, Lawson muttered under his breath, “Ass kisser.”
I jabbed him with my elbow and hissed, “Be nice!”
Hampton’s eyes narrowed in our direction and I faked a broad smile at him. Oblivious to nearly everything around her, Mrs. Reed smiled warmly and pushed away from the table. “If you thought dinner was good, wait until you see dessert!”
“Please tell me it’s pound cake,” Lawson rumbled. His arm casually draped along the back of my chair flexed. Every now and again, when I would shift in my seat, my head would graze his arm, sending jolts of electricity through me.
Mrs. Reed winked at her oldest son. “Lemon pound cake with vanilla glaze, just for my baby boy.”
Hampton scoffed, “Hey! What am I?”
“You’re Daddy’s favorite, duh,” Georgia piped up. “Not sure where that leaves me, though,” she finished, her eyes twinkling.
“Georgia Rose, quit with that nonsense. You know I don’t like any of you kids,” Mr. Reed grumbled, leaning back in his chair and rubbing a meaty hand over his large belly.
I laughed as Georgia crossed her arms over her chest, a fake pout on her face. She knew she was her daddy’s princess. And for as much complaining as he did, Mr. Reed was happiest when he was surrounded by all of his kids.
Mrs. Reed returned from the kitchen with a still-warm pound cake in her hands and after setting it down, began to cut and plate the cake.
Georgia took a bite and moaned, “Jesus, this is better than sex.”
Mr. Reed choked on his water, his face turning red and thundered, “For God’s sake!”
“Oh, Daddy, please. We are all adults here. I’m pretty sure all of us are having sex.” Her eyes narrowed in my direction. “If not sex, I know we’re all going out on dates, aren’t we, Piper?” She cocked her head to the side and shifted her gaze. “Lawson?”
Hampton wasted no time pouncing. “Yeah, Law. Have you told Mama about your date with Piper Friday night?”
“Thanks a lot, Georgia!” I snapped at the same moment that Lawson choked on his piece of cake.
“What’s this?” Mr. Reed rumbled. Waving a fork between the two of us, he asked, “You two went out on a date? With each other?”
My cheeks felt like they were on fire as Lawson answered, “Don’t make a big deal out of it. It was just dinner.”
Mrs. Reed ignored her son as she clapped her hands together and brought them to her chest. “It is a big deal, son! How was it? Will there be a second?” Her watery eyes darted between us.
“I hope so,” I answered quietly.
I glanced over to see Lawson shooting daggers at his sister, a flush creeping up his neck. He pulled his murderous gaze away from Georgia and looked at me. When our eyes met, the irritation disappeared.
