Page 13 of Never and Always
“Thanks, Evy.”
I jiggled her and breathed in her little girl scent of strawberry shampoo.
“How’s work?” Chris asked.
“Good. Busy since the acquisition.”
“I bet. The Windward is getting fancy.”
“Doesn’t come any fancier than a Langston Hotel.” Bess wriggled to get down and I set her on her feet.
“I can’t believe Tessa snagged herself a billionaire,” Steph said with a dreamy smile.
“Ro’s a good guy. They’re happy.”
“But still, you have a bunch of city executives running around.” Chris waggled his eyebrows. “I’ve seen the one that wears the skirts and the heels.”
“Hey.” Steph slapped her husband’s arm. “No eyeballing sexy city girls.”
“I’m just stating a fact. I don’t want a city girl.” He shuddered.
“That would be Piper Ellis.” I sipped my beer. “The COO of Langston Hotels.”
“Big career woman, then,” Steph said. “That could have been me, if I’d ever wanted to leave the paradise that is Windward.”
“And if you hadn’t fallen in love with the most handsome man in the world,” Chris added.
Steph frowned. “I fell in love with Everett?”
I smiled, and watched Chris snag his wife for a kiss.
Bess appeared again, shoving a mucky looking plushie of a…rabbit at me. Maybe it was a cow? I wasn’t sure. I hauled her up again and she snuggled against my chest.
I couldn’t imagine Piper here. I bet she’d shudder at the idea of kids and mucky toys.
Although, she’d dealt with marble boy in the lobby just fine. I’d been shocked as hell when she’d gotten down on his level to talk to him, hadn’t lost her temper, and helped him picked up his marbles.
Still, I couldn’t see her making a home-cooked meal, snuggling on the couch, or just…being.
No, the woman was always on the move. Always with more work to do.
I wanted this. I looked around Chris’ messy living room. I wanted a woman I loved, kids, a home.
I’d learned that life wasn’t all about work.
I just hadn’t found the right woman yet. But I would.
Piper Ellis was definitely not her.
So why couldn’t I stop thinking about her?
Chapter 5
Piper
Taking a sip of my oat milk latte Kate had brought me, I studied the plans spread over the conference room table.
Damn Ro for having such good ideas.
