Page 41 of Wicked Dares
This girl has only been in my life a few days, but something about her is already settling in deeper than it should.
And now there’s this.
I keep my gaze on Piper and Arthur, reading his reaction to her.
The old goat approves.
“The pleasure’s all mine, Miss Piper Andrews, and might I add, you’re prettier than a summer peach.” Arthur taps her knuckles before releasing her hand. “Levi certainly did well.”
God, he really,reallyapproves.
Arthur’s practically glowing at her like she’s the answer to every concern he’s had about me.
“Oh, good Lord, thank you.” Piper blushes, bringing a hand to her heart. “You are too kind, sir.”
Arthur’s brows narrow, and I know exactly what he’s picked up on—her accent.
I may not know much about her, but I picked up back at the club that it comes out more in certain words when she’s nervous.
Arthur glances at me. “Is that a hint of the South I catch?”
“Oh, yes.” Piper’s cheeks warm. “Tennessee.”
“I’ll bet you get asked that a lot.”
“Yes. I left when I was twelve, so my accent is quite watered down. My aunt, though, is always and ever the Southern belle right down to her accent.”
“And so she should be.” Arthur grins, proud. “My Ellie Mae is the same. We’ve lived in New York for almost twenty years, but she’s still got that Southern polish. Hair set, dress pressed, not a crease out of place.”
“My mama was like that, even though we lived on a farm. My daddy would always get annoyed with her saying she had to get her hair good and ready just to milk the cows.”
Arthur beams at her. God, he’s eating this up.
And sweet Piper has no idea how disastrous that is for me.
How am I going to get around this?
“Your family sound precious. Treasure them.” He nods, then looks at me. “I’m gonna leave you two lovebirds to enjoy the rest of your evening. We’ll talk real soon, son.”
The confident look in his eyes and his words spark hope in my chest.
This is it. This is the damn opening I’ve been waiting for to close the deal.
But it’s tied to something I can’t control.
How the hell am I supposed to explain this misunderstanding?
“I look forward to your call.” I keep my usual calm.
“All the best.”
“You too,” Piper and I both answer.
He tips his head and leaves us.
The restaurant noise slowly rushes back in, but the space suddenly feels too small for the problem sitting between us.
We wait for him to walk through the arch and until we can’t see him anymore before we speak.
