“I know, Buddy,” I tell him quickly. Reminding him where I am. That we’re on the same page.
Almost.
I explain to him how I was in the area and dropped by Piper’s place, getting everything first hand from Clara, who’s just left.
Even though she told him I was already here, I find myself giving him the same information twice.
Not normal for me, or for Rhys.
Not normal for any Marine to repeat things over and over.
Once is enough. It proves you understand what needs doing.
Rhys goes quiet again.
“Piper’s place, huh?” he asks. Picking up on my choice of words.
I could have said ‘Clara’s place’ and I can feel his mind reaching out to mine.
Already sensing I’m not telling my best friend everything like I usually do.
I don’t like how today’s turning out. But Rhys and I, we’ve both been trained to expect the unexpected.
I just didn’t think I’d be hearing this from his mouth as I scan the hall with my eyes and the whole house with my ears.
Searching for Piper already.
“I just think maybe Clara and I should hold off on the wedding… Maybe leave it for another six months,” he says.
I feel my jaw tighten and my eyes narrow to slits, like I’m in a sudden sandstorm of bad news.
First Piper’s running hot then cold. Now Rhys is telling me he wants to postpone his wedding.
Postpone the one good chance I have to spend a whole week with Piper alone.
I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose and pressing my fingers hard into my eyes.
“It’d be the end of you two if you did that,” I tell him point-blank.
Those two have been off and on again for so long. It was Clara’s idea to get married. To put an end to their ups and downs for good.
To nail him for keeps the best way she knows how.
“I know,” Rhys says coldly. Already aware of every possibility in his own mind.
Except for the part where I’m claiming his fiancé’s daughter.
“Go to lunch, tell her how you feel. But don’t mention postponing. If you really need that, make it her idea, not yours,” I advise my oldest friend.
Even though I know I might be shooting myself in the foot.
There’s more than one way to get Piper alone. I tell myself
I know she wants me deep down, and if I don’t watch over her the coming week, so be it.
I’ll think of something else.
That’s what Marines do. They solve problems before they’ve become bigger problems.
I remind Rhys of that too, making him grunt with understanding. His mood shifting back to a more stable one.
“See? One minute with a Marine, with my best buddy and I’m back on track,” he says, sounding happier already.
“I’ll do the lunch thing, and I guess I’ll see you tonight at the rehearsal,” he laughs. Already sounding as though his little crisis never happened.
I hang up and stand quietly for a moment, weighing my own options.
Piecing together every contingency plan I can think of that involves Piper and me.
Knowing that although Rhys says he’s good, he is liable to do anything at the drop of a hat.
Worst, or even best case scenario?
I can just take Piper with me and we both disappear for a while. Maybe across the border, maybe just on a cross-country road trip. A cruise or something.
Something nice.
Just the two of us.
As if just by thinking of her I summon her, she comes back into the kitchen, asking if everything’s okay.
“Is it?” I ask her without thinking, not meaning to sound so harsh, but I know where my feelings are.
I just need to know she really does want the same things I do.
Getting hot and heavy, then pulling back like she did?
Something is on her mind and I’d prefer she shared it with me then keep it to herself.
Give her some damned time, man. It’s only been one day.
Chapter Ten
Piper
I dodged a bullet when Reeve got his call from Rhys, but apart from it killing our moment, I realize now I was doing a fine job of that myself.
I just couldn’t tell him.
Couldn’t find the words.
He’s so amazing and I’m just so…ordinary.
Rhys isn’t mad, just concerned and he tells me as much when I ask if everything’s okay once he hangs up.
“Let’s just start over,” he suggests. “I can be a little blinkered when I see what I want,” he tells me, relaxing once he gives me a smile.
Letting me huddle up to him as he squeezes me close.
“We don’t have to do everything in one day either,” he says aloud. Like he’s reminding himself more than telling me that.
But I do want to do everything in one day. I do.
It’s just…
Oh, crud.
Whatever moment Reeve and I just had. It’s gone for now.
Fizzled out into a hug as he strokes my hair, which isn’t a bad thing either I might add.