Page 37 of Make You Mine

I could handle this, and I would be okay.

Chapter11

Ren

She didn’t know I’d heard almost everything.

I’d been sitting at a table beneath an awning at Coffee Cabin, indulging in my iced mocha addiction, when I saw her talking to Richard and Dana—I didn’t hear that part. Still, I knew they’d upset her because of the way Paige rushed her to the back of the building with her sisters. But I was just close enough to hear what was said through the open back door. Somehow, I knew she wouldn’t want me to see her that way; we weren’t there yet. So, I’d stayed out of sight until they left and then went home.

Jake had insisted I take some time off before starting work at the office, so I was stuck here fighting the urge to text her or bring her some coffee or do something to cheer her up.

Instead of doing any of that, I changed into my running clothes and took off on a jog. The fresh air and the rhythm of my feet on the pavement cleared my head—until I reached the park and spotted Richard and what could only be Cody.

Fighting the temptation to knock his ass out and take Cody to Piper, I slowed my pace to watch them. The dog park was alive with activity as usual. Cody was the picture of canine exuberance, his fluffy golden coat gleaming in the sunlight. He was adorable, all tail wagging and infectious energy; he darted from one end of the park to the other, chasing after a ball and greeting every dog he encountered. He was clearly happy and well-loved, even with Richard, which was a relief to see.

“Hey! Ren!” I turned to see a pretty butterscotch blond walking a llama heading my way and had to do a double take. A llama?

“Hi.” I stopped and waited for her to catch up.

“I’m Lucy,” she greeted me. “This is Larry. I’m Piper’s sister.” Once we were up close, I recognized her from the Coffee Cabin earlier.

I held out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Lucy. Ren.”

She tipped her head, gesturing to Larry, and gave me a look.

“Nice to meet you, Larry,” I quickly added.

He tipped his head to match Lucy and whined. Okay then. My curiosity was more than piqued; I waited for her to speak.

“I know who you are. And I saw you the other day.”

“Oh yeah?” I hedged, not wanting to give myself away.

“Yeah, the day Piper lost her shit with Dana—that day. You were listening to us talk in the back of Coffee Cabin, weren’t you?”

Embarrassed, I let my eyes drift closed. “I was and I’m sorry. I’m not proud of it.”

“Why not? I watched you. I could see you care about her. That’s a good thing. Obviously, I know all about you from Paige, and I approve.”

Approve?Of what? I decided to let that slide and address her implied question.

“I do care. I like Piper a lot. But it was rude of me to listen in like I did.”

“Screw that. Piper needs people like us on her side. She’s too sweet for this world. I was surprised when I heard her screaming her head off at Dana. She finally stood up for herself a little bit, you know?”

I nodded, mulling over her words. “Yeah, I noticed that. Like she has a backbone but doesn’t always show it?”

“Exactly. She has a temper. But it takes her an eternity to lose it, like way too long.” Lucy confirmed. “She’s all about peace and harmony but screw that. Some people need a swift kick in the butt, or a drink tossed in their face.”

“You aren’t wrong…”

Just as I was about to ask Lucy for more insights about Piper, Richard sauntered up, a smirk playing on his lips as he approached us with Cody trotting happily alongside him. Cody was eager to reach Lucy; his tail wagged furiously, and his eyes sparked joy when he saw her.

“Watch out for this one,” Richard said to me instead of a polite greeting. “I assume you’re still dating Piper. Lucy is a protective little viper. They all are when it comes to her.”

“Nice to see you too, Richard.” She drawled and handed me Larry’s leash. She bent to pet Cody, who was immediately all over her, wiggling like mad as he licked her face and whined. “I know, boy. I love you, too.”

“Watch your mouth,” I snapped. “That’s my woman and her sisters you’re talking about.”

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