Page 59 of Rules of Engagement
But it was Piper's expression when Carter returned with her in tow that opened the last of Eliza's guarded heart. Piper spotted her friends and the mermaid decorations and balloon arch and burst into tears from sheer joy. There wasn't a dry adult eye among the group as they witnessed the pure pleasure on Piper's face as her birthday dream came true.
Watching Carter comfort his thankful daughter broke the last of Eliza's reservations. Selfish men didn't work as hard as he did—or raise a child so sweet.
Eliza stood at the food station trying to get a handle on her thoughts when she felt Carter nearby and turned to find him watching her.
"You are a rock star," he said. "Eliza—"
She held up a hand, still recovering from Piper's teariness and way too on edge where her feelings for him were concerned. "Her response was all the thanks I need. That was too precious for words."
He moved closer and casually draped an arm around her shoulder, pretending to merely stand beside her to look at the food.
"It was—but I still intend to show you how thankful I am later," he murmured, grabbing one of the crabby croissant sandwiches from the stack and sliding her a wink before moving away.
The party lasted several hours, and while Eliza and Kellie kept things moving food and game wise, she noted Carter making a point to introduce himself to the parents who lingered on the sidelines, watching and taking photographs of the fun. Most of the kids had arrived with moms only, but a few couples were in attendance. Still, seeing the moms' reactions to Carter's looks meant tamping down more than a bit of unease at her jealousy. Carter's looks weren't his fault, but with every feminine smile shot in his direction, Eliza reminded herself that his looks were somethingshewould have to get used to.
Finally the party drew to a close, and all the mermaids and pirates left for home except for the birthday girl. Piper was now curled up on one of the many lounges surrounding the pool, playing with one of her new toys.
Carter had taken an armload of bags and toys back to the house, and with the adults otherwise occupied elsewhere, Eliza made her way over to Piper. "Hey, birthday girl. You have one more present," she said, bringing the nylon bag with a mermaid on it from behind her back. "This is from me," she said. "Happy birthday."
Piper sat up and thanked her before reaching for the gift. She pulled the tissue paper out and gasped at the water globe complete with mermaid, seashells, sand, and a pearl. "It's a nightlight and music box, too. I thought you could put it on the table beside your bed."
"I love it," Piper said, awestruck as she held the gift to her chest. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome."
The girl hugged the globe as she surged toward Eliza and gave her the biggest, bestest hug. Eliza returned the embrace with more than a bit of feeling, unable to imagine anyone, much less her mother, walking away from the precious little girl.
"Daddy, look!"
Piper's hug ended as quickly as it had begun, and Eliza turned to find Carter watching them from a ways away.
"What do you have there?" he asked, his long stride closing the distance between them.
Eliza watched as Piper showed her father the gift.
"Wow. That's really pretty, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes! I'm going to go put it in my room right now so it's there for bedtime."
"Hey, wait a sec. Let's wrap it up so you don't break it on the way," he said, helping Piper place the globe back into the bubble wrap and tissue and back in the bag for easy carrying. "There you go. Breanne's over there. She's going to stay with you tonight for a birthday sleepover before she goes back to school tomorrow."
"Yay! Sleepover!"
Piper took off, her little feet flying and fish-tail costume swiveling with every step, not slowing her down a bit.
"You didn't have to do that, you know. This party was way more than I ever… It was amazing, Eliza."
She smiled and shrugged. "I saw the globe this week after I met with new clients and knew it was perfect. I had to get it."
He glanced around them before taking her hand and tugging her out of sight of anyone inside.
"Yeah, well, I have to dothis," he said, lowering his head.
Carter took her mouth in a kiss that left her head reeling and her hands clinging to his biceps by the time he lifted his head.
"Lincoln and Amelia mentioned all of us going to Masonboro Island tomorrow on the boats. Will you come with us?"
With them? Like a couple? On a date?
