Page 8 of Never and Always
“The one who wears the heels?”
“That’s the one. She’s going to break an ankle one day.”
Dad got a faraway look in his eyes. “Still, there is something about a woman’s legs when she’s wearing high heels.”
I was not thinking about Piper’s very long, very slim legs. I grunted.
“I’ve got chili on, if you’re hungry,” Dad said.
I sipped my beer, already smelling his world-famous chili. “I won’t say no.”
He smiled. “Then take a load off.”
I sank into an armchair, thinking Piper Ellis and her designer heels wouldn’t be interested in homemade chili and a beer.
But this was exactly where I wanted to be.
Chapter 3
Piper
So many phone calls.
Frowning, I tapped a nail on the table, staring at my calendar. I’d had a call with Paris. A call with the Maldives. A call with New York.
My cellphone pinged. Idly, I grabbed it, spinning in my chair.
Then I froze. It was a text from my brother.
Hey, sis. Mom said you’re in Colorado. I’ve been in Vegas, and might come say hi to my favorite sister.
My chest squeezed. One, I was his only sister. Two, a visit usually involved asking me for money.
A light pounding started behind my left eye.
Chance was three years younger than me. He was twenty-eight going on eighteen. He’d tried college, but had only lasted a year. I would have been fine with that, if he’d actually found something he enjoyed and was gainfully supporting himself.
Instead, he was a dreamer. Always going to hit it big without doing a lick of work. Always one amazing deal away from a huge win. I sighed. What Chance was, was a gambling addict. And as such, he lost more than he ever made.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I’d done everything I could to shield Mom and Gram from the worst of his troubles.Whenever he visited them, I knew it made them sad and unhappy. He mooched off them and asked for money.
I dragged in a deep breath, then texted back.
Hi Chance. I hope you’re well. I’m good and really busy with work.
The rap of knuckles on the door had me looking up. It was Jazz, Tessa’s assistant. She’d poured her generous curves into a plum-colored dress that looked fabulous on her dark skin. Her black curls spilled around her face.
“Hi, Jazz.”
“Sorry, I know you’re busy, but Ro wants you for a quick meeting.”
I nodded. “I’ll be right there.”
I didn’t encourage Chance to visit. I didn’t have time to deal with his dysfunction right now.
The last time I’d seen him, I’d suggested rehab for his gambling—again. He’d gotten mad and thrown things, insisting he didn’t have a problem—again.
I pushed it out of my mind as best I could and headed for Ro’s office.
