Page 78 of Make You Mine

“You’re adorable,” Spencer shouted from his spot on the lawn where he and Lucy were currently sprawled on a blanket.

“Thanks, I feel so much better now.” He chuckled.

“Well, the last thing I am is cute,” Paige huffed, snapping back to reality. But I could tell it was all for show; her pink cheeks and sparkling eyes told the true story. She wanted Hunter here. They’d been circling each other ever since they were kids, but they had only ever been friends.

“Anyway,” Grandpa cleared his throat. “Who is ready for weenies?”

“Well, I for one am glad two weenies will not be coming here anymore,” Paige cracked as she referenced her ex and Richard. Like me, she made jokes to hide her feelings. “Even though one of them does have the perfect name for the occasion, just saying.”

“God, Paige,” I groaned.

“I know. I’m punning. I’m so ashamed.”

“Moving on,” Grandma said. “Let’s not roast her too much for making bad jokes.”

“Noooo,” I joined the collective groan.

“I forgot the skewers, dang it.” Grandpa moved to get up, but I held out a hand to stop him.

“I’ll go get them,” I offered. “Stay right here. Be right back,” I said to Ren.

I took a deep breath as I headed towards the garage to grab the skewers for the barbecue. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the driveway.

I stepped inside, the cool air greeting me, and wandered over to the workbench where the skewers were usually kept. As I reached out for the drawer, I felt a presence behind me. I turned to find Richard standing there.

"Richard," I breathed out, my heart pounding. "What are you doing here?"

He stood there, a look of determination in his eyes. The dim light from the overhead bulb cast eerie shadows on his face. I could see the tension in his posture, the way his hands clenched at his sides.

"I need to talk to you," he said, his voice low and steady.

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. The memories of our last encounter flooded back, mingling with the present. I had hoped to avoid him, to keep the peace for just a little longer. At least until Jake got everything settled.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” I managed to say, trying to keep my voice calm and composed. “You startled me.”

Richard took a step closer, his presence overwhelming in the confined space of the garage. I felt trapped, unable to escape the confrontation I had hoped would never have to happen.

“We need to sort this out,” he insisted. “We can't keep doing this.”

I nodded slowly, clutching the drawer handle for support. The skewers were forgotten now, overshadowed by the tension between us. This wasn’t the time or place, but I knew there was no avoiding it by the determined look in his eyes.

“I understand,” I whispered, meeting his gaze. “Let's talk.” I wasn’t afraid of him. He’d never hurt me before, plus with one loud yell, I’d have my entire family, and Ren, rushing into the garage to help.

“I don’t appreciate the stunt at the opening, Piper. You made Dana look like a fool. And me too, for that matter. We can’t go anywhere without hearing something.”

“I’m so sorry.” I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Wow. And how did I look? The two of you there, together, with my dog. She called him her baby, Richard.”

“She’s treated him like her baby. And meanwhile you’re here and you left him home. He was outside by himself, so I took him home to Dana, then came straight here?—”

“Wait? You took him? He has a doggy door, which you’re aware of. He can go to the garage whenever he wants. What the hell is going on? Explain. Now.”

“I stopped by your house to talk this through and try to come to an understanding, about the bakery opening and the lawsuit, then I got pissed that you left Cody outside and you weren’t there. I figured you’d be here. You’ve fucking sued me; I got the papers. I know everything, okay? What the hell, Piper?”

“Wait. Back up. Are you telling me you trespassed on my property and took Cody? How dare you?”

“You should have brought him with you.”

“You know how the pugs are. They’re puppies. They still have to get used to other dogs, which they would be by now if you hadn’t kept Cody away from me. A big party is not the time to get them accustomed to each other. Did you dognap him from my backyard?”

---