Page 29

“Of course, I’m happy,” she said with a smile. “How could you ever doubt that?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe because you’re kicking me out like a bad one night stand.”

“I’m not…” she began, clearly frustrated. “I’m not kicking you out. I just don’t want to have to explain things to my parents. You can understand that, can’t you?”

“I can,” I said with a nod “But that doesn’t mean I want to leave you.”

“And I don’t want you to,” she said. “Trust me, I wish we could stay in here forever. That would be amazing. To just hide out here with you all day.”

“Let’s do it,” I said with a grin. I pulled her to me and kissed her cheek playfully. “I’m serious.”

“What?” she laughed.

“Let’s do it. Let’s lock the door and just hide out. No one will ever know we’re here. You can call your parents and tell them you’re out for the day. They’ll think you’re wandering around town or something. They’ll be none the wiser.”

“You know that won’t work,” Piper argued.

“Then, what about my place?” I begged. “Come on, let’s just sneak out of here and go to my place. There’s no one there to interrogate us. It would be blissful alone time. For hours. All day. And all night.”

Piper groaned and buried her face in my chest. I stroked her hair gently and waited for her answer. I knew she wouldn’t agree to it, but I couldn’t help but hope.

“I can’t,” she finally said. She pulled away and looked at me sadly. “I have to be here today. My family hasn’t seen me in a long time and…”

“Neither have I,” I pointed out.

“Don’t do that,” she warned. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”

“I know,” I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’ll drop it.”

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“But what about tonight?” I asked quickly.

“Yes?” she raised her eyebrows.

“Can we go out again?” I asked.

“I should really have dinner with my family,” she said evasively.

“Then drinks. After.”

“Okay,” she answered quickly. She grinned widely. “Drinks at Kellan’s. Ten o’clock?”

“I’ll be there.”

I grabbed her hand and we left the guest house quietly. The sun was just beginning to rise as we snuck down the steps and across the backyard. We reached the end of the driveway and I pulled her in for one last kiss before she disappeared inside. When she pushed the door closed behind her, I stayed on the driveway for a few minutes just staring at the front door. My smile stayed plastered across my face for the rest of the day.

Piper Prewitt was mine once again.

Mission accomplished.

Nineteen

Piper

“That was delicious,” I said. My mom smiled at me in thanks and began clearing the table. I moved to help her, but she waved me away.

“Sit with your father,” she said. “The two of you have barely talked since you’ve been here.”