Page 34 of Definitely (Maybe) Dating
“Kent and I go way back to our days at Stanford,” Loafers said, his chest so puffed, he looked like the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man. “I even represented him a few times over the years.”
Of course, he had. Josh had faced Heinz enough times in court to know exactly the type of clients he took on. Heinz went into all the projects he and Spring had worked on over the years and Josh went back listening for his phone to vibrate.
“It would be great to catch up.” Heinz sent Josh a Cheshire-like grin. “If you don’t mind me crashing the party.”
“The more the merrier,” Caldwell said.
“Great.”
Josh felt a headache blooming behind his right eye. He was starting to regret stalking the mayor instead of heading home when a pair of scuffed looking boots appeared in his line of sight.
It was the exact person he needed to see in that moment.
Piper.
She looked softer than usual. Her long, dark, blue-streaked hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail with little pieces sticking up in the back, looking a little ruffled and a whole lot tempting. Her incredible face was all natural, and her top was black, off-the-shoulder, exposing a tiny little strap that was made to mess with a man’s mind. The strap was too little to conceal a bra, which meant she was either going strapless or braless—both options gave him a hard on.
And—would you look at that?—she had on bright red knee-high boots. Not suede, not leather and no straps or eyehooks. Oh no, Piper had on rain boots. Red ladybug rain boots.
“Hi,” she said to the table, her voice sounding shy, and he decided shy looked good on her. Sure, she was dressed like she’d been shooting wildlife in the park, and she had her usual collection of bags slung over her chest, but just looking at her made his stress drop ten decibels.
“Hey.” He stood, unsure if he should hug her or shake her hand. She looked one wrong move away from bolting. So he went with professional. “What are you doing here?”
“You said you had news and when you mentioned loafers and whiskey, I put two and two together.”
He wasn’t sure how he felt about the comparison, but her assessment had been pretty damn accurate. In a five square mile city, she’d located him in under ten minutes. “Only that it’s in progress and—”
The mayor cleared his throat.
“Excuse me, Mayor Caldwell,” Josh said. “This is Piper Campagna.”
Looking both embarrassed and uncertain, she took in the mayor, the overall snooty ambiance, then studied her boots. When she met his gaze, it was resigned. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I saw you through the window and thought that . . .” She waved a dismissive hand, sending her million-and-one bags clattering together. She put a firm hand on them. “I should go.”
“Don’t,” he said, and everyone looked at him.
“But you’re in a meeting.” She lowered her voice. “We can talk later.”
“Nonsense,” the mayor said. “We’re finishing up with the business half and are about to enjoy a bite to eat. Join us.”
“Yes, please,” Heinz said. “Have a seat and tell us how you and Josh know each other.”
She looked from Heinz, to the mayor, and back to Josh, a vulnerable plea for help to define their very undefinable relationship. “Piper is an up-and-coming Portland photographer who has generously offered to take some portraits for my campaign as well as shoot Bid for the Cause.”
“Nice to meet you both,” she said.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Piper. Maybe I should give you my card. I might be in the market for some new headshots myself.” Heinz didn’t stand, didn’t look her in the eyes, just held out his card and did a slow, insulting once over. “Russell Heinz, candidate for District Attorney.”
He watched as every single wall locked into place, making a fortress around her. She went chin up and shoulders back—and,damn, she was pretty when she was riled. “Actually, I’m an urban landscape photographer by training and portrait photographer by circumstance. And as circumstance would have it, my schedule is pretty full, Russell.”
That was the most personal information she’d ever offered up about herself, and Josh wanted to know more. All he knew about photography was that he liked it or he didn’t. But he did know about how circumstances could define the direction of someone’s life.
“But really, Assistant District Attorney Easton, we can catch up later.” She looked at her watch. “Actually, I’m late for a meeting.” She scratched her wrist, something she did when nervous.
Or lying.
“It was nice to meet you,” she said, and Josh noticed she only addressed the mayor.
Caldwell stood and shook her hand, and Josh realized that he hadn’t sat back down. He was so enamored with Piper he’d been standing the entire time. Or maybe it was because he didn’t want to sit back down. Maybe he wanted to be in that meeting she so clearly lied about having.
