Page 76 of Playing Pretend

“He’s not coming,” I murmur. “I checked with reception this morning. Julian fled yesterday.”

“Are you sure?”

“Would I lie to you?” It’s not the best question to ask since I’ve lied about my feelings all her life, but the relief relaxing her expression makes the misleading question worthwhile.

“I appreciate you checking.”

I wink. “Anything for you.”

She rolls her eyes again as waitresses with shiny silver trays pass through the doors. We’re served stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta while Pete introduces a stand-up comedian who gains applause and cheers from everyone in the room with an opening joke about the rental market.

Piper barely touches her food. Apart from a tiny taste, all she does is poke the diced tomatoes around her plate, leaving most untouched.

“Eat.” I nudge her elbow as the comedian tells the punchline of a property developer story, sending the room into hysterics.

Piper doesn’t laugh. She must be concentrating. The toy is finally working.

“Eat,” I repeat. “Or I’ll have to give you a lesson on nutrition and physical well-being.”

She sighs, grabs a cloth napkin from the table to dab her mouth despite her lack of food intake, then pushes to her feet. “I’m going to use the ladies.”

Shit. “I’ll escort you.” I shove back in my chair.

“I’m more than capable on my own.”

The crowd laughs at another joke and Piper stiffens.

“I know, but that dress has me feeling things I don’t want any other man feeling while you’re without me.” I push to my feet while Cassidy and Max snicker at us.

“Just let him escort you,” Vanessa pleads. “It’s sweet.”

Piper hits me with an exaggerated scowl that states how unimpressed she is that I’ve fooled her friend. It’s fucking cute.

I step around my chair and close in on her. “Let me escort you and I’ll return the vibrations to the initial setting.”

She pulls back, scrutinizing me, questioning my sincerity. “Promise?”

“I’m a man of my word.”

“Fine.” She juts her chin. “Lead the way.”

I slide an arm around her waist and silently guide her from the room as her colleagues erupt in more laughter. My other hand dips into my pocket once we enter the hall, decreasing her torture via the remote as promised.

Piper doesn’t relax. There’s no thanks or appreciation. Not even a sigh of relief as I stop at the entry to the restroom.

“Do you need a hand?”

She walks past without acknowledging me, swinging the door open and disappearing inside.

She’s not as immune to my gift as she wanted to believe.

She’s unraveling. Surrendering.

I wait until the toilet flushes then invite myself inside, enjoying her widening eyes as she walks from the stall to the polished basin.

“You can’t be in here.” She gets soap from the dispenser and turns on the tap to wash her hands. “It’s unprofessional.”

“Nobody else is going to walk out on the entertainment this early.” I stroll forward, her spine stiffening as I approach. “We’ve got a few minutes of peace.”

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