Page 11 of Definitely (Maybe) Dating
“Give her time,” Josh joked. “Beneath the ballerina slippers is an Easton waiting to break free.”
“Is this where we’re having the pictures taken?” Margo asked innocently as if she hadn’t vetoed all Piper’s other ideas—or picked out her blouse—for such a backdrop. “I love the colors in here.”
“It’s as though the flowers bloomed just for you,” Piper said, and Margo eyed her as if trying to figure out if she were being sweet or saucy. For anyone who really knew Piper, there wouldn’t be all that much to figure out.
Piper smiled innocently, and Margo’s eyes narrowed into two irritated slits of censure. “Shouldn’t you be taking pictures instead of flapping your lips?”
Ah, there was the Margo Piper knew and avoided.
“I’m almost done,” Piper explained. “Just testing the lighting, and then we’ll be ready for the whole family to join.”
“Which is remarkable since she had car trouble and was still able to get this set up so quickly,” Josh said, and Piper glared at him. Then, he surprised her for the third time that day, because instead of disappearing or placating his mom, he said, “Actually, we’re lucky she agreed to shoot the party on such short notice. Think of how incredible the engagement pictures will turn out.”
And just like that, Margo was back to looking more like a mom than a mafia boss. “You’re right.” Then to Piper, she said, “Thank you, dear. Give a ring when you’re ready.” And with a smile—an actual smile—the older woman disappeared.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile,” Piper whispered.
“What can I say? I have a way with women.”
Piper laughed. “Is that what you want me to put on your Yelp review? He has a way with women? I think your career as a driver for hire will come to an abrupt end.”
“My muddy seats and floorboards thank you.”
“Also, if you call saying my photos are incredible as “having a way with women”, you need to up your game.”
He grinned. “Until a few minutes ago, I didn’t even know your name, yet I already know what color lace you prefer. I think my game is pretty solid.” He leaned down and whispered, “But if you want to know about my dating status, you only have to ask.”
She snorted. “Don’t need to. Not interested.”
“If you change your mind—”
“I won’t.”
His grin said he didn’t believe her. But then he spoke and that oh-so-sure-of-himself vibe vanished into something more sincere that made her heart goboom-boom. “About the pictures—it wasn’t a line.”
“I’ve got to get back to work,” she said and, becauseboom-booms—no matter how small—over a guy who left out something as simple as his relation to her boss, she devoted her attention to the task at hand—turning her day around.
“Aren’t you curious about how I know they’ll be incredible?” he asked.
Yes. It irritated her almost as much as the way her skin tingled where he’d touched it earlier. She’d learned early on that other people’s opinions of her were none of her business. People saw what they chose to see, and when it came to her, it was rarely flattering or easy on the ego. But for some reason, maybe it was the sound of the rain tapping against the windows or that he’d taken on his mom for her, Piper wanted to know.
Only, she was feeling too vulnerable to ask, so she shrugged.
“You would rather be honest than amiable,” he said gently. “And in my experience, people who approach the world that way see the real moments others often overlook.”
4
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“You are so full of shit,”Rhett said, leaning over the bar to fill his mug from the beer spigot.
All four of Josh’s brothers were in The Cave, one of the last remaining speakeasys left from probation, which was located behind a secret panel at Belle Mont House. It had an underlit, dark mahogany bar top, with floor to ceiling Marlborough brick backwall, and three columns of sunken shelves. It was easily the biggest draw for corporate suits looking to impress out of town clients.
So far tonight it was just the Eastons, huddled around the original 1920s bar, watching the parting proceedings from a safe distance.
“Just because I didn’t come with a date doesn’t mean I won’t leave with one,” Owen bragged. Then again, when it came to Owen, he wasn’t bragging.
“That was more directed at Josh.”
