Page 26 of Make You Mine

She raised an eyebrow. “True. But don’t let her walk all over you. Stand your ground.”

We rounded a bend in the path, and the scent of blooming flowers filled my senses, relaxing me. I shrugged. “I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. I’ve never been in a situation like this. I’m usually a non-confrontational person.”

She gave me a sidelong glance, her eyes filled with understanding and a bit of mischief. “Non-confrontational? She needs to be confronted. It’s okay to be mad, and you’re not fooling anyone. Underneath that calm exterior, you’re a fighter.

I snorted, shaking my head. “Yeah, well, fighting isn’t exactly my strong suit.”

“I know. You want everyone to like you.” She slipped her arm through mine. “You’re a people pleaser, Piper. Even though you can be sarcastic sometimes, you’re sweet on the inside. They don’t deserve your grace. I mean it. Don’t let her get to you.”

“Okay. I’ll try to remember that when I feel guilty later for being mean to her before.”

“No guilt. She deserves it. There should be consequences for behavior like hers. Like, it’s your turn to be the problem. No more taking people’s shit then cleaning up after it. Okay?”

I considered her words as we continued walking. Larry bopped along, happily exploring every scent and leaf, just like a dog.

“I never thought of it that way. Why am I always the one to make things work? Being the peacemaker is a thankless job.”

“You don’t have to be. They messed up. Not you. Look.” She stopped to face me. “No matter what happens, you’re not alone. You have me and the sisters‚ and Larry. I’m sure I can get him to spit at her next time we see her at the dog park if I bribe him with a banana.”

I laughed, the sound echoing along the trail. “You think Larry is bribable with a banana? He has standards. Also, gross. I’ve seen him spit before, and no thanks.”

“Okay, let’s tell Grandma all about it and let her go scorched earth.”

“No, that’s too much. We don’t need that kind of trouble.”

“Fine, I’ll bring him by the shop when she replants and let him snack on the window box again.”

“Every time, Lucy. Bring him by every time she fills that damn box.”

She nudged my arm playfully. “You got it.”

We did a lap around the gazebo before saying our goodbyes; then I headed home to finish out the rest of this craptastic day alone.

Party, schmarty. I decided to pick up some balloons and grocery store flowers on the day of the event and call it a day.

No, screw that. For now, I was done, and that was okay. I was not about to let that witch steal my dreams away from me.

Chapter8

Ren

This was not a real date.

Those words were hard to believe when I stood outside Piper’s door wearing my best suit and tie, about to pick her up for dinner.

Three knocks and one doorbell ring later, I heard the click of her footsteps approach the door, and my heart surged in my chest.

Fake?Yeah right. Nothing about the way my body reacted to her was fake.

The door swung open, revealing Piper in a stunning blue dress that hugged her curves.

Her hair cascaded in loose waves down her shoulders, framing her beautiful face with an elegance that took my breath away. Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and adorable nervous energy, and her lips curled into a soft, welcoming smile as she met my eyes.

“Wow,” I breathed as, unable to help myself, my eyes roved over her. “You look stunning.”

“Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”

I offered her my arm, and she slipped her hand through the crook of my elbow. As we made our way to my car parked in my driveway, the crisp evening air filled with a subtle tension that neither of us wanted to acknowledge.

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