Page 192 of Dangerous Encore

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She's turned away from me. Facing the other direction. But it's all over herposture.

Her shoulders are slumped. Her legs are shaky. Her grip is tootight.

Fuck, I'm hurting heragain.

And I can't do shitaboutit.

Not if I want to behonest.

She sets up the cilantro in a bowl. Slices two limes into quarters. Brings one to her lips and sucksitdry.

"This recipe is turning out well." She tosses the peel into thetrash.

I nod. "Itis."

"It took forever. But it was worth it." She turns to me. Her eyes bore into mine. "I can be patient. I can wait for things. But I need to know that it's what youwanttoo."

"Piper—"

"We don't need to get married this summer. But I need to know it's whatyouwant."

"It is." It should be. I love Piper with every fiber of my being. I was fucking giddy when she said yes to my proposal. I do want foreverwithher.

"Then let's set a date. At least anapproximateone."

"Thisminute?"

"Whynot?"

"Okay." It's fair enough. "I'll pull up our schedule." I find my phone on the coffee table and open up the band's calendar. "We have two weekends in August. Most of September. All of December, save thatChristmasshow."

"Okay."

"You still want to do thebeach?"

Her smile is bright. Her voice too. "Youremember?"

"You look at Lacey and Mal's wedding pictureseveryday."

"They'regorgeous."

"We could do it at that same spot onMalibu."

"We need to do our ownthing."

"You still want to doHawaii?"

Her eyes go wide. "Would I like to marry you in paradise? Is that really yourquestion?"

Inod.

"That's a stupidquestion."

"It would be easier here. Friends are here.Family."

She sticks out her tongue. "I hope you mean Mal andEthan."

"Yourdad."

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