Page 38 of A Little Luck
“What are you getting repaired?” Alex enters the kitchen, and we straighten.
Britt jumps off her stool, and my heart leaps to my throat when Adam appears behind his brother, looking like the sunrise over the ocean.Gorgeous.
“Adam! You’re a week early!” Britt squeals, running to hug him. “Piper, did you know Adam was home?”
“Ahh, well… I’ll be darned.” My heart beats so fast, I’m having trouble breathing. “Hey, you!”
His blue eyes land on mine, and I blink away fast, subtly shaking my head in ano—not yetway. In the darkness of his bedroom with the pain of missing him overriding any fear, I could forget everything and hold him.
Here in broad daylight, all I feel is nerves.
“Look at you, Mamma.” Adam’s voice by contrast is relaxed and confident. “You’re really showing.”
“And not barfing… oh no, Piper!” Britt rushes to where I’m standing. “Your face is all red. That serum must be irritating your skin. Vitamin C can cause irritation, you know.”
I put my hands on my cheeks, turning to the sink. “I’m sure you’re right. I should’ve done a patch test.”
“Here, get some cool water.” She takes a towel from the counter and switches on the tap.
“What’s this about?” Alex laughs, stepping up to where I’m pressing a damp cloth to my face and pretending to be allergic to a serum I don’t even own.
Britt slides her hand into the crook of his arm. “We’re working on your wedding plans, and you should see what Piper has done. It’s going to be so beautiful.”
“You know, I can afford a wedding planner to help with this.” Alex leans in, giving me a little nudge with his elbow. “You’re a busy lady.”
“No!” Britt cries. “Nobody knows Cass as well as we do. We’ll have all the things she loves. Just let us handle it.”
Alex holds up both hands. “I’m just trying to make your life easier.”
Adam hangs back watching me, knowing full well I’m not having an allergic reaction. I’m blushing because I’m remembering every way he touched me last night, and my whole body is on fire. I’m buzzing with satisfaction and magnetism and hunger.
He looks so good standing there in faded jeans and a long-sleeved henley. His dark hair brushes the top of his collar, and the dark fabric stretches over his broad shoulders. His blue eyes are full of promise, and I wantmore.
Everything that happened last night was so good. Even if I was guarded, not letting him see all of me, carefully taking the pleasure we both wanted while hiding my pain. We were like two puzzle pieces finally snapping together, and I don’t regret a moment of it.
Only one thing remains, and standing here in the light of day looking at him, all the old questions echo in my mind. What will he say? What will I do if he doesn’t say what I hope he’ll say?
Drew says my past wasn’t my fault, and nothing I could’ve done would’ve changed Rex’s behavior. She says I’m not a failure because I couldn’t fix him.
My fingers tighten around my phone, and I wish I could text her. But it’s Saturday, and I don’t have another meeting with her for a week.
What would she tell me?I’ve never given them a chance to be my friends completely…I don’t give them enough credit for wanting to be there for me…
But this is too soon. I’m not prepared, and how would I even bring it up? Would I blurt it out on a Saturday morning at the distillery when Adam has just arrived back in town and we’re supposed to be working on wedding plans?
Read the room, Piper.
“Speaking of life, where are we going to put you now?” Britt turns to me, then Adam. “Piper had a plumbing disaster, so we stowed her at your house last night. You two must’ve just missed each other this morning.”
I feel like I’m going to be sick, but I smile through it. “I’m sure I can sleep at my place tonight.”
“With no water?” Britt’s eyes widen in horror.
“She can stay at my place. I don’t mind.” The smile in Adam’s voice tickles my stomach.
“But you only have one bed.” My friend’s brow furrows. “I hate to say it, but Drake Redford has a point about accommodations in Eureka.”
“Don’t even go there.” A growl is in Alex’s tone. “He’s running a dog against your grandmother for mayor.”