Page 16 of Definitely (Maybe) Dating
“I not only hired you because you’re the best photographer I interviewed, I also hired you because you’re a friend,” Darcy said, and Piper scratched her wrist. “I don’t just let anyone around my family.”
Not sure how to handle the comment or the feeling it created in her chest, Piper made another littleshoomotion.
She hadn’t had many girlfriends growing up, and the ones she did have would run screaming from a party like this. Given the choice, Piper would have been at the front of the pack.
It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate Darcy and Jillian’s generosity. Five minutes around them, and it was clear that their warm and welcoming ways were genuine. They seemed to be the kind of friends who could weather any storm—past and present. It made Piper wonder if it would be so bad to open herself up, take a chance on making new connections.
Then again, not many people had a past like Piper. Even fewer knew what to do with it. As a young girl, Piper knew her family was different. The alcohol, the drugs, the revolving door of “daddies”. The idea of giving her classmates an up close and personal show of the crazy was a nonstarter. Except for Faith, who’d emphasized with Piper’s situation and had foolishly trusted Piper.
In the end, it had been Piper who failed her.
“You better go dance. Your mother-in-law is shooting me the evil eye.”
“Bite your tongue. I still have six months before that title is a reality. And she’s going to have to earn every precious thing that comes with it.”
Piper hoped so because Darcy was quite possibly the most genuine person Piper had ever met. And her little girl was as sweet as they came. It would be a shame if Margo took advantage of their giving nature. Piper had seen it happen before, and the results were heartbreaking.
“Can you make her start by forgiving the photographer for being late on account of Fate being a raging asshole?” Piper grimaced.
“My fiancé represents athletes. I’ve heard worse,” she said. “And speaking of Gage, he’s waving me over. I promised him a stealth exit before his great-aunts cornered him about babies. When Aunt Alberta gets sauced, she tends to explain, in great detail, the best methods for ensuring fertilization.”
They both looked at Gage, who was barricaded by a bunch of old biddies, with Aunt Alberta leading the force.
“I better go rescue my man.
Darcy went to leave, and Piper gently touched the other woman’s shoulder. “Thanks again for giving me a shot as your photographer.”
“You’ve more than earned everything that comes with the title.”
Piper wasn’t sure about that, but she’d take the win. She’d also take the charity job.
Darcy headed back into the party, and Piper took the opportunity to slip away into the crowd. But it wasn’t enough. The conversation had rattled her. Even more, the whole night had left her off balance. She worked hard to blend in. Her safe place was behind the camera, where observing was all that was expected.
She was a ninja people watcher. It was what made her such a great photographer. Dark corners and hard-to-find nooks were where she felt the most comfortable. Over the years, she’d learned that most people want to be seen.
Not Piper. She worked hard to be invisible. But the Eastons kept pulling her out of her hidey-hole and into the light.
The only person in Piper’s life who’d ever come close to what was happening inside the house was Faith, Piper’s best friend, who’d run away with her to Portland. They’d been fifteen, and neither of them had a stable home, a family who cared, or a safe way out. But they had each other. And most of the time, that had been enough.
Piper noticed Margo glaring at her, so when the older woman started Piper’s way, Piper put the cover on her lens and slipped out onto the terrace.
She moved deeper into the shadows, praying her black clothes would help her blend into the night. The night was working against her with a full moon, a bazillion-and-one stars, and drizzle. Lots of drizzle.
Then there was the cold evening breeze, which cut through her fashion-over-function blazer. With a shiver, she considered heading back in. Until she saw Margo, still scanning the room. There was no way she was going in now. She’d rather turn into a popsicle than accidentally say the wrong thing to Margo and cost her the auction gig.
“Raging assholes unite,” she grumbled.
“Raging assholes, huh?” someone said from behind her. “And who would that other asshole be?”
Piper slowly spun around, ready to add him to her list of raging assholes, when she stopped. One look at Josh, and everything inside her went warm and gooey.
He was leaning back against the railing, under a twinkle-lit awning that had been set up for the event. One arm was resting leisurely on the railing, the other holding a glass of champagne, looking sophisticated and safe and like a million bucks. He wore a dark suit, grey button up with a bold silver tie, and that sexy grin which she was coming to realize made her stomach do these silly little flips. The man looked so at home in his own skin, it ticked her off even more.
Sexy with an edge, she decided. She’d long given up on sexy with an edge as they never seemed to come with an expiration date set to “not looking for anything serious” the morning after assuring her they were looking for something serious.
No, sexy with an edge was most definitely not on her list of amiable traits.
Lifting her camera, she laughed when Josh gave one of those zero teeth, zero expression, and zero interest in being filmed smiles.
