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“That also explains the growl,” Liz put in.

“Growl?” I asked.

“Yeah, he stopped in the middle of what he was saying, growled, and was already on the move when he told us to have a good evening. He jumped right off the front of the stage, not even bothering with the steps.”

“You’re kidding.”

Jake’s voice came through the speakers as he let everyone know that there was a half hour before the end of the silent auction.

When he returned to our table, he bent down and kissed the spot behind my ear. “Gotta make the rounds some more.”

“Okay. It was great meeting you both,” I said, standing.

“You, too. Stop into the restaurant soon,” Sammi told me.

“I will.”

Jake put his hand on my back, his thumb rubbing across my spine as he brought me over to another group of people.

As everyone chatted, he leaned close to my ear. “Havin’ fun?”

“A ton.”

Moving in front of me, his hands went to my neck and he ran his thumbs along my jaw. “I love you. I’ve been tryin’ to think of when to tell you, but it just came out earlier. I know I’ve fucked up, and I get it if you don’t feel the same way, I just—”

“I love you, too, Jacoby.”

I barely finished saying his name when he kissed me, soft and sweet.

Jacoby Hyde loves me.

Keep it together, Piper.

Don’t squeal. Don’t even do Jet’s thrusting ‘in your face’ victory dance.

“Jake?”

Jake tensed at the interruption, pulling up but wrapping his arms around me so tight that I almost couldn’t breathe.

I turned towards the voice and saw a tall, slender woman. Her blonde hair was cut in a fringed, shoulder length bob that highlighted her pretty features. She was wearing a black cocktail dress that showed off her porcelain skin and long legs.

“Chloe,” Jake replied.

Chloe? As in the heretofore unknown ex-girlfriend?

And she’s the exact opposite of me.

Awesome.

“I’m here with Frederick, he just went to get drinks. I thought I’d stop and say hello.” She turned to me, her eyes critical as she looked at me. “Hi, I’m Chloe. You must be the Piper I’ve heard so much about.”

“Chloe, go find your man. We’re in the middle of somethin’ here.”

“Sorry, Jake, I didn’t mean to interrupt you acting like a teenager.”

“Well, you did. And I’d kinda like to get back to it.”

“Baby, don’t be rude,” I laughed playfully up at him. “I’m sorry, Chloe. He can just besogreedy when it comes to his time with me.” I rubbed my fingertips across his jaw, forgetting for a second that I was supposed to be returning some bitchiness. “Anyway, it was nice to meet you. I’m gonna go get my man a drink.” I turned, dismissing Chloe altogether. “Beer, baby?”