Page 227 of Dangerous Encore
And someone yellssurprise.
Everyone yellssurprise.
It's a packed room. Everyone is here. Lacey, Mal, Joel, Bella, Violet, Ethan, a dozen otherfriends.
Violet is standing at the door, her short hair in a perfect straight line, her makeup that perfect mix ofgorgeousanddon't fuckwithme.
She wraps her arms around me and leans in to whisper. "He lookshappy."
"He is. Iam.It's…"
"You two belong together. It's that simple." She pulls back with a smile and motions to the crowd gathered around the coffee table. "First things first." She smiles. "We havecoffee."
"Yes." I press my palms together. It's been hours since my last cup. Too manyhours.
"And cake," Ethanchimesin.
"Cake?" My voice is much too loud andbouncy.
I have a problem, a sugar and caffeine problem, but Idon'tcare.
"It's chocolate with mocha frosting." Ethan nudges Violet. "And a few matchacupcakes."
Kit squeezes my hand. "Go, baby. I understand your true love issugar."
I flip him off as I bounce intotheroom.
Cake and coffee and all myfriends.
It's a perfectparty.
I follow Violet to the kitchen. She cuts an enormous slice of cake while I fix coffee. Extra sugar. Lots ofalmondmilk.
She sets the slice on a plate and offers ittome.
"Someone else should take the first one." I do havemanners.
Violet's smile lights up her green eyes. "Really?"
I nod. "I'm an honorable party, um, what would youcallthis?"
"Eat the cake, baby." Kit winksatme.
"Come on, Piper. You're looking at that thing the way I look at Bella's tits,"Joelsays.
Bellahipcheckshim.
"What?" He feigns offense. His eyes go to his wife's chest. "You demand moreappreciation?"
"It never hurts." She brushes a dark hair behind her ear and adjusts her thick frames. "You do have that look in your eyes,Piper."
"It can be better to delay gratification." He winks at her. Then at Mal andLacey.
My oldest brotherchuckles.
Lacey blushes. No. It's more of ayes, no, pleaseflush.
Gross.
