Page 67 of Wild About You
Heather’s lips twist into a smile. “Well, that’s the last time I’m ever going to the restroom. What did he want?”
“Piper,” Steve continues to answer for me. “That was a hell of a speech. I wish I’d written it down in case I ever screw things up and need to win you back.”
“I am so sorry.” My face is on fire as I glimpse back at Tyler. He’s gone, but I still feel the impact of his presence and words. “I need to go.”
“Go,” Heather says, smiling. I start to get up and then remember we’ve already ordered. I reach to open my purse, but she waves me off. “We’ve got it. Go.”
“Thank you.” I smile at both of them, but it’s all I can spare before I jump up to go after Tyler.
And I thought a night out would help keep my mind off him. I’m almost to the front of the restaurant when a server carrying a tray of drinks steps in front of me. She doesn’t see me and I’m moving too fast to stop before we collide.
I gasp as the cold liquid and ice spill down the front of me. I glance out the window in time to see Tyler’s car pulling out of the parking lot.
By the time I get to the house, the ice has melted in my bra and water has pooled in my shoes. And whatever it was the server spilled on me, it’s sticky. In short, I’m a mess. But I don’t stop upstairs to change before I circle around the party to find Tyler.
I find him in the game room. He’s standing in a small group of guys and girls. A beer bottle hangs from his fingertips. Everyone else is smiling and laughing. Tyler wears a smile that I can tell is fake even from across the room.
The girl standing next to him puts a hand on his arm. He doesn’t even look at her, but I still feel an all-consuming rage to claim him. I already knew what I wanted, but it pushes me to act.
My strides are long and sure as I start for him. I don’t take my eyes off him, but I notice the group around him goes quiet as I approach.
When Tyler’s green eyes finally lock on mine, I summon every bit of courage in my body, close the remaining distance between us, and kiss him.
He’s shocked and slow to respond. His teammates and friends are cheering, but as soon as his arms wrap around me, I couldn’t care less. He picks me up and squeezes me to him.
And it feels like no time has passed at all.
21
CALMLY WALKED, OBVIOUSLY
TYLER
I setPiper down but keep her pressed tight against me. Ash claps me on the shoulder. “Well, all right. Now this is a party. Let’s play some pong.”
“Maybe later,” I say, my voice a rough scrape as I keep my gaze locked on Piper’s lips. Goosebumps dot her arms and she’s wet and cold in my arms.
“You’re soaked.”
Declan spits out his beer and starts coughing.
“Not like that,” I mutter to him, then stare down at Piper’s wet dress. “Is it raining outside?”
“Uh, no. I had an unfortunate incident with a server as I ran out of the restaurant. She was carrying a tray of drinks. Long Island iced tea, I think.”
“You ran?”
She scrunches up her face. “Did I say ran? I meant calmly walked, obviously.”
“No shame in rushing to your man.” I smirk. “Let’s get you in some warm clothes.”
I walk her through the party, holding on to her hand—clutching on to it is more like it. I can’t believe this is finally happening.
My chill demeanor doesn’t last long. I scoop her legs out from underneath her and take off running.
Laughing, she grabs my shirt to hold on.
“This what you looked like, Pipes?”
