“Wow, yes. I understand that more than you know. Partying is fun once in a while, but after once or twice, I’m over it. I’d rather hang out and spend quality time with someone,” she says, and then they sit in silence.
By the time I was twenty-five, I had felt like I’d already lived a lifetime and had traveled all over the world. So, I really can’t relate to either of them. I’m sixteen years older than Piper and was practically an adult when she was born. After graduation, I signed my life over to the military, hoping after serving for twenty years, I’d retire and settle down. Except that didn’t quite work out the way I planned.
As the conversation comes to a lull, I interrupt them. “Dinner is almost ready.”
I pull out plates from the cabinet, and they come over. The whole house smells amazing, and I can’t wait to dig into my food.
Once we sit at the open end of the table, Easton finally spots the puzzle. “No way.”
It puts a smile on my face. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah. It really has.”
Easton scoots a little closer to the pieces and starts placing them together, building on what Piper and I have already completed.
“Hey! Don’t do too much. That thing has to last me God knows how long,” she scolds, and he chuckles.
“I could literally sit here all night and work on it.” He turns the box around to view the picture.
“Shoulda told me to pick one up. There’s a souvenir shop a few blocks away that sells the really hard ones.”
“Next time,” Piper says, taking a big bite of chicken.
I meet her big blue eyes. “Wait, you like doing puzzles now?”
“I don’t mind it. Might have to take my new hobby back to New York with me. What’s the biggest one you’ve done?”
I have to think about it. “Might’ve been seventy-five hundred pieces. The largest puzzle you can buy is fifty-thousand pieces, I think.”
Piper’s eyes widen. “Seriously? I can’t imagine how long that’d take to put together. Where could you even put something that big?”
“Months. Hell, maybe years,” Easton says, then adds. “You’d need a big penthouse or something…”
“Ha! Consider yourself officially invited to come build a fifty-thousand-piece puzzle with me. Even you, Tristan.”
I scoff. “Thanks.”
Piper takes a few more bites as if she hasn’t eaten all day and releases a throaty moan that echoes through the room. “This is so delicious.”
“Glad you approve this time,” I say, trying to ignore how my body reacts to her.
After we’ve finished our dinner, Easton offers to clean the kitchen. Piper tells us she’s going to take a shower, and I sit at the breakfast bar.
“Thanks for staying for dinner. It was good to see you for more than a few minutes,” I say.
“No problem. Glad I could. Don’t get to see you nearly enough.”
“I know. Might need to change that as soon as things settle down,” I admit.
“I’d like that. Maybe go and catch some waves.”
A small smile hits my lips. “You know, I haven’t done that in over a decade.”
I think back to the last time I was on a board. It was before I left for basic training. Things were much different back then, though. I was more carefree and less jaded.
“You just tell me when, and I’ll clear my schedule,” he tells me, wiping the plates dry before placing them in the cabinet. “Piper isn’t as snobby as I imagined she’d be.”
I smile. “She’s humble and down to earth. Only snarky when she’s miserable.”
“Bet this is actually pretty hard for her.”
“Yeah, but I think she’s finally adjusting. It’s only temporary, and soon, she’ll be back in her New York penthouse.” I shrug.
“Do you know how much longer you guys have to stay here?”
I shake my head. “No idea. Playing it all by ear right now.”
He dries his hands and faces me. “Well, I’ll bring you shit for as long as you need. Don’t hesitate to call or text me, okay?”
“Sure. Thanks again for helping out.”
“Yeah, anytime. Guess I should probably go before the traffic gets too crazy.”
I stand and give him a hug. “We should do this again.”
He pulls away and smirks. “We absolutely should. Tell Piper I said thanks for a good time.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Easton heads toward the door, and I follow him, then wave as he backs out of the driveway.
After I lock up, I sit on the couch and turn on the TV. Twenty minutes later, Piper comes back downstairs with her hair wrapped in a towel. She plops down next to me.
“Your brother is nice.”
“He can be.”
“He seems to bring out the good side in you.”
I glance over at her. “He does. He’s my baby brother and knows how to make me smile, even while getting on my nerves.”
She reaches for the remote. “Makes me miss my sister.”