Page 100 of A Perfect Match
A sarcastic laugh escapes me.“Absolutely.”
He props his hands on his hips, gaze dropping to the floor.“She hasn’t said a word to me since game night.”
“You might have a lot more of that to look forward to if you guys don’t start getting on her level.She’s brilliant.She’s built something incredible with the shop.And now she’s going to make something equally as amazing with the barn.She needs support and recognition.Not well-meaning criticism.”
Griffin nods slowly, and I can see him processing what I've said.I head to the door.I’m probably out of face-punching danger, but one can never be too sure.
"You and your brothers can do what you want,” I tell him, my hand on the doorknob.“But I think you all want a big happy family.And Piper hasn’t been happy.She’s been telling you all along, but none of you have been listening.”
“Oh, come on,” Griff says, following me.“You’re in her life for like five minutes and think you have something to say?”
I turn to face him.“I didn’t even need five minutes.I saw it after ten seconds.And yeah, I do have something to say, especially when it comes to making sure Piper feels supported and heard.”
Griff scowls at me.“Gonna be hard to see and hear her from Columbus, buddy.”
I take issue with the way he calls mebuddy.But now’s not the time to invite a fistfight with this brute of a brother.“Good thing I’ll be right here in Bayshore then.”
“Oh.You backing out of the deal already?”
I laugh, but there’s no humor in it.“Man.You just can’t pass up a chance to make somebody second guess their plans, huh?Sometimes, I can’t tell if you’re her brother or her bully.”
His scowl deepens.“It’s time for you leave before I make you leave.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice.I let myself out of the house, my mind churning with thoughts.Maybe I went too far.Maybe I didn’t go far enough.Maybe Piper’s going to flip her shit when she finds out I talked about any of it with her brother.
As I walk back to my truck, something settles into place inside me.
Columbus is a non-option.
Not because it’s too much, too soon.Not because of what Griffin said.
But because I’m all in with Piper.With Bayshore.With the business I chose and built and am loving, right next to the woman I found and fell for and am crazier about every day.
This is not the time to walk away.
This is the time to dive deeper into my dream…and hers.
Because I’m not going to lose myself in it.I’m going to grow right alongside her.
Columbus can wait.Because Iamexpanding, just in a different way than I expected.
I was drawn to Bayshore for a reason.And now I’m staying for a reason.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
PIPER
I wake up to sunlight streaming through my bedroom window.I jolt upright.What time is it?Why is it daytime and I’m still in bed?How late am I to open the shop?
Then I realize it’s Sunday.I’m off today.And hell, I feel rested.A sigh of relief escapes me just as the events of last night come flooding back.The barn.Collapsing.Kru carrying me home like I was made of spun glass.
Let me show you how much I love you.
The words echo in my head as warmth coats my limbs.He loves me.I can’t fight the smile.He actually spoke the words that I’d been feeling inside me too.
And then there was the conversation I'd overheard after he tucked me into bed.I'd been almost back to sleep when I heard the sharp undertones of Griff and Kru’s conversation.Their voices had been clear through the thin walls and my curiosity—and shock—kept me awake long enough to eavesdrop before I finally passed out for good.
She's going to kill herself trying to prove she doesn't need anybody.
