Page 28 of Tyler

Then his phone began to ring in his pocket.

He stilled, and several oaths shot through his head as well as the thought to ignore it and let it ring. But responsibility and discipline were ingrained in him. He couldn’t ignore the call.

With a deep inhale then exhale, he sent her an apologetic look before digging out his phone, sitting up, and answering the call.

“Ty, sorry to bother you,” Mac said, his tone serious. “Hunter’s with his son in the ER.”

Shit. “What happened?”

“Dillan fell off his play gym and landed on his arm. They’re not sure if it’s broken,” Mac replied. “I know it’s short notice.”

He knew where this was going and understood. “You need me to fill in for Hunter in Houston.”

It was a three-night job, starting tonight.

“Yes,” Mac replied. “We’re leaving in an hour.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Roger that and thanks,” Mac said, before ending the call.

Piper had already fixed her sweater and was pulling leaves out of her hair when he met her gaze, barely visible under the rapidly darkening sky.

“Sorry,” he said. “Mac—”

“I heard.” She cut him off and set a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. And I hope poor Dillan will be all right. I’m sure Christa is beside herself.”

Nodding, he grasped her elbow and brought them to their feet. “Can I take a raincheck on this…stargazing?”

She smiled. “Absolutely.”

The urge to kiss her again was strong, which could easily get out of hand, so instead, he grabbed his camera and slid his arm around her shoulders. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

Light from inside spilled into the courtyard through several large windows as they made their way to the building’s back door. He’d feel better once he outfitted the place with one of ESI’s security systems, but that was a conversation for another day.

Ty released Piper’s shoulder to take her hand as they walked through the building toward the front door—which was wide open again.

Son-of-a-bitch.

“When is Brandi getting this door fixed?” he asked, glancing in every room along the way.

“First thing tomorrow,” Piper replied, shutting off the lights before they walked outside. “She’s taking it to a restorer and putting in a temporary one in the meantime.”

“Good,” he said, shutting it hard behind them.

Then he pushed on it to make sure the damn thing stayed closed. It did, but he was glad it wouldn’t be an issue after tonight. He was also glad she wasn’t staying, because he didn’t relish the thought of being in Houston and worrying about her alone in an unsecured building.

He had enough misgivings about her cottage, and now, he wouldn’t be next door for the next three nights.

Chapter Seven

When Tuesday rolled around again, Piper was more than excited about the evening. Ty was coming over in less than a half hour for the dinner thatsheoffered to cook.

This was a big step for her.

She’d never had a guy over or cooked for one at her place since Zane. Not in France and not in the Poconos. But this felt right. And she was ready. Heck, she’d already opened her heart to her handsome neighbor, and that had been without trying.

Granted, she’d definitely attempted to hold back, but her heart had vetoed her usual “don’t let him all the way in” order right from the start. It didn’t work with Ty. He not only charmed her, but he also charmed her heart, too.

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