“Wonderful,” Gary said. “Thanks for letting us know.”
She swallowed. “Thanks for being so understanding. You two will never know what this job—and your kindness—has meant to me.”
They smiled at her and she ducked her head, determined to leave before her emotions took over again. She stepped toward the door but Iris put a hand on her arm.
“How are your parents, dear?”
Piper looked up and met her eyes. “I haven’t talked to them in a while. But last I heard, my dad was out of jail.”
Iris bobbed her head. “That’s nice.” There was an awkward pause as she seemed to grasp for something else to say, but they both knew there wasn’t, so she dropped her hand and smiled. “You take care of yourself, honey.”
Piper smiled and left the office to go change. She pulled her phone from her pocket. It was always on silent mode when she worked, and she’d missed calls from both Savannah and Jade, as well as several texts. She snorted as she read them.
Savannah: DRESSING ROOM GUY?? Details. Now.
Jade: Yes! Why have I not heard about him? The title alone is intriguing.
Savannah: Pick UP! Where are you?
Jade: Savannah, don’t you have a wedding today?
Savannah: I have a minute. Piper, are you still out with him? Why aren’t you answering?
Leah: Guys, breathe. She’s probably still on her date.
Savannah: Calling you, Leah.
That last text had been sent twenty minutes ago. Piper was about to tap out a reply when her phone rang. She blinked at the number—it was her mom. She held the phone out as if it would bite her. Her mom never called . . . unless she needed money. Piper stared at the screen, finally letting it go to voicemail. She rolled out her shoulders and released the breath she’d been holding, brushing aside the guilt as she replied to her friends’ texts.
Her mom had ignored her for most of the past twenty-five years. She could wait to call her back.
Chapter Nine
Piper couldn’t remember the last time the Silvermine was so busy. Her first break didn’t come until almost nine o’clock, when the late diners had been served and her shift was winding down. She sat at the chess board in the corner of the kitchen, ready to make a move with her knight when Laura, another server, came bustling in wearing a big smile.
“I’ll give you twenty bucks to let me take the guy who just sat in your section.”
Piper arched a brow. “Twenty bucks? He must be hot.”
Laura fanned herself, half closing her dark eyes. “Girl, you have no idea.”
Piper’s heartrate sped up. Could it be? She stood from the table, knight in hand, and walked to the swinging doors.
“Okay, make it twenty-five!” Laura called desperately.
Piper giggled and peeked through the circular window. Her heart hammered as she saw Drew sitting at a table for one, his head bent over a menu. She spun back around, eyes wide.
Laura smirked. “Told you. Now how much is it gonna take?” She tilted a hip.
Piper slowly shook her head. “Sorry. I know him.”
Laura arched an eyebrow, her full lips drawing into a smile. “That’s nothin’ to be sorry about. I heard he asked to be put in your section, but you can’t blame a girl for tryin.’” She stood next to Piper and looked out the other window. “Mm-mm! I would have given you fifty for him.” She winked and went back into the dining room.
Piper stood gaping for another ten seconds before realizing she needed to get out there. She rushed back to the chess board and set the knight down, taking Romero’s queen in the process.
“What? No!” he protested as he watched from the stove.
She turned with a smug smile, laughing when she saw the look of shock on his face. “Sorry, Romero. I had to do it.”
He put his hands on his chef hat. “How did I not see that?”
She shrugged. “It’s your move.”
He was still groaning when she left the kitchen, straightening her shoulders as she made her way to Drew. He’d placed the menu on the table and was drumming it with his fingers.
“Good evening, sir,” she said.
Drew turned, meeting her eyes and holding them. “Good evening, miss.”
Piper’s pulse stuttered as something electric passed between them. One corner of her mouth lifted. “My name is Piper and I’ll be your server this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?” She whisked the notepad out of her waist apron and held her pen ready.
His lip twitched. “What do you recommend?”
“We have an assortment of Coke products, as well as some excellent fresh lemonades.”
“That sounds good. I’ll take one of those.”
“A lemonade?”
“Sure.”
She nodded. “I recommend the raspberry. It’s amazing.”
“Sounds good.” He leaned forward as she jotted down the order. “How is work going so far?”
She glanced up from her notepad. “Better now.” His eyes sparked and her cheeks heated. “I mean, it was really busy before, but now things are winding down.” The words came out in a jumbled rush.
A slow smile spread across his face. “That’s good. I hope you don’t mind my coming. When dinnertime rolled around I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try out this place you raved about.”
“I don’t mind at all.” She shifted, feeling like an idiot. “This place is great. You won’t be disappointed.” She gestured to the menu. “Have you had a minute to look things over?”
“Yes. I know exactly what I want.” His eyes flicked to hers.
Piper’s heart stopped. Warmth spread from her chest all the way down to her toes at the flirtatious look in his eyes. She forced her hand not to tremble as she lifted her pen. “What can I get you?”
His smile turned cajoling at the question, but he cleared his throat and opened the menu. “I’ll have the salmon, please.”
She made the note, trying not to read into the fact that he’d chosen the most expensive item on the menu. “Excellent choice. What sides would you like?”
“I’ll take the steamed vegetables and rice.” He glanced up at her. “Have you eaten?”
She paused. “Yes.” Romero had served her a plate of wings with a side of vegetables, which she’d eaten two hours ago.
He frowned. “Too bad. I was hoping you could join me.”
She laughed. “Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to eat with the customers.”
“Customer?” He looked offended but there was a teasing glint in his eyes. “I thought we were friends.”
She answered with a coy smile. “Let me get this order going and I’ll be right back with your lemonade.” She could feel his eyes on her back as she made her way to the kitchen, pausing at one of the few remaining tables to take the check.
Piper hurried in and gave Romero the order, filled Drew’s glass with lemonade and brought it out to him, hesitating only a moment when she saw him texting someone. He noticed her and slid the phone into his pocket.
She set the glass on the table, hating how curious she was about that text. It was none of her business. “Your order will be ready in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” He smiled. “Olivia says to tell you hi.”
Piper’s shoulders relaxed. “Tell her hi from me too. She should have come with you—is she alone tonight?”
He shrugged. “She was tired and wanted to relax and watch TV. I promised I’d bring her some dessert.”
Piper nodded. “You’ll have to take her the Mother Lode. It’s a chocolate lava cake that’s to die for.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Piper remembered the check at the nearby table. “I’ve got something to take care of, and then I’ll be back with your order.”
Drew was taking a sip of his drink, but he nodded.
She paused, hoping she’d made a good recommendation. “Do you like it?”
He swallowed and then swished his straw in t
he fresh raspberries. “It’s delicious.”
Piper smiled and hurried off to process the check, her tired feet growing lighter with each step.
Chapter Ten
Drew watched Piper interact with the couple a few tables over. She was a natural. He loved seeing her in her element and admired the fact that she was a hard worker. She looked sexy in her waitress uniform, her gorgeous hair pulled up in some kind of twist.
He’d wanted to broach the topic of her childhood, but there didn’t seem to be a good time to bring it up. Besides that, after being around her he was convinced she didn’t have a drug problem. If she did, she hid it better than any druggie he’d ever known.
She finished helping the couple and turned, giving him a quick smile before heading to the kitchen. Drew would never get tired of that smile. Piper seemed to light up a room wherever she went. A huge contrast to Lindsay.
He leaned back in his chair, the very thought of his college girlfriend bringing a bitter taste to his mouth. Lindsay had wanted Drew all to herself—something he’d found flattering at first—until it became annoying. She’d tried to isolate him from his family and friends, always coming up with excuses for why she wanted to be alone. She would constantly check his phone whenever he got a text, jealous and overbearing to the point that Drew finally broke up with her. Only after the breakup, when he talked to his friends, did he discover that Lindsay had deleted several of his texts; any invite that might not include her. He’d confronted her about it, and she’d lied to his face until he showed her the texts from his friends’ phones.
He had trusted Lindsay—even loved her at one point—but from then on, he’d decided to be more careful about whom he chose to date. There had been some college flings after her, but no one to make him think seriously about a relationship . . . until he met Piper.
His phone buzzed and he read the text from Olivia.
Don’t give her a huge tip. You’re supposed to be average, remember?
His mouth pulled down. He had planned on tipping Piper well. She deserved it, and he still owed her for the lunch date. He glanced at the kitchen to make sure she wasn’t coming before checking his wallet. Four one hundred-dollar bills and a couple of fifties. He didn’t want to pay with the credit card which had his real name on it. He’d deleted his social profiles before going incognito, but there was always the chance she could Google him and find out who he really was.
“You ordered the salmon, sir?”
Drew jumped and looked up at the young man holding a steaming plate on his shoulder.
“Yes. Thanks.” He watched eagerly as his salmon was placed in front of him. It looked amazing.
“Can I get you anything else?” the server asked.
“Maybe. Can you cover my server’s shift so she can join me?” Drew teased.
The server winked. “I wish I could. She’s one of the best. We’re really going to miss her around here.”
Drew nodded, his gut twisting at the thought of Piper working with Josh Graydon every day. He hadn’t met Josh personally—Tom, the family broker, had handled the Briarwood purchase. But he’d seen Josh’s picture on real estate signs in town. Even Drew could recognize that Josh wasn’t ugly. A quick internet search had proven he was single too. Both factors played against Drew. It wasn’t like him to be jealous, but Piper seemed to bring out emotions he didn’t realize he had. He glanced up and noticed the server was still waiting to see if he needed anything. “This looks great. Thanks.”
The server nodded and walked away. Drew squirted lemon on his fish and took a bite. It practically melted in his mouth. He normally didn’t eat dinner this late but had purposefully come when he thought Piper’s shift might be ending. If he was lucky, he might even get to walk her to her car. And maybe be the recipient of another one of her mind-blowing hugs.
“How is it?”
He turned to see Piper with her hands behind her back, waiting expectantly for his answer.
He swallowed. “It’s excellent. I’m surprised you can bring yourself to leave a place that makes such amazing food.”
A crease formed between her eyes and he realized it was a tender subject. He mentally kicked himself and hurried on, “A good move though. The new position will offer more opportunity for you.”
The crease disappeared, replaced by a smile. “I hope so. The Silvermine has been like a second home to me.”
Here was the opening Drew had been looking for. He set his fork down. “Speaking of family—you haven’t told me much about yours, other than the fact that you’re an only child. Do you have family here?”
Piper’s smile stiffened and she glanced over her shoulder. “I wish I could chat, but I’d better get back to the kitchen. Enjoy your food, okay?”
He frowned, looking around the dining area. “It doesn’t look like you have any more customers right now. Can’t you stay for a minute?”
She shook her head. “Sorry. They need me in there.” Without another word, she turned and hurried toward the kitchen.
Drew sat back in his seat, frustrated that he’d scared her away. He shook his head. As much as he hated gossip, he was beginning to wonder if some of what Heather had said was true. It seemed Piper didn’t have a happy childhood. The thought hit him in the gut like a sledgehammer. He knew all too well what that was like. His parents had been apart more than together while he was growing up—his dad a total workaholic and his mom off spending money on lavish vacations, neglecting Drew and Olivia. If it hadn’t been for Gran stepping in to raise them, he would have been completely lost.
He finished his dinner quickly, anxious for Piper to come out again so he could lighten the mood. He’d botched the conversation with sensitive subjects and wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. He would let her talk about her past in her own time, when she was ready.
After taking the last bite, he set his fork on his plate and placed his napkin on the table to show that he was done. He kept one eye on the kitchen doors and smiled when Piper emerged. Her face was impassive as she walked toward him, and he was determined to get that bright smile to reappear.
“Have you saved room for dessert?” she asked, clearing his plate.
“Always.” He patted his stomach. “But I’ll take it to go.” He could see that the restaurant was closing and didn’t want to take any more time.
She nodded. “What would you like?”
Drew’s eyes drifted to her lips before he caught himself. A dusty pink touched her cheeks and he smiled, liking the fact that he could make her blush. “I’ll take three of those lava cakes you mentioned.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Three?”
He leaned forward. “I’m told they’re ‘to die for.’”
She grinned and his heart warmed. There was the smile he’d been missing. The one that lit up those captivating green eyes.
“I’ll get that going for you right away. Would you like anything else?”
He forced his gaze to keep from wandering to her mouth again. “Just the check, please.”
She nodded. “You bet.”
When she walked away he read a text he’d missed from Olivia.
Spencer just called me.
Drew set his jaw. Did you answer?
No. But it was hard. Sometimes I miss him.
He relaxed, grateful she hadn’t taken the bait. I should have brought you with me tonight.
And ruined your chance for quality time with Piper? No way.
He frowned, hating that his sister was alone in the small apartment they shared, hurting. He was super protective of her, wanting to shield her from pain. It had been his role ever since she was born.
I’ll be home soon, and I’m bringing dessert.
Okay.
He paused and then typed again. You deserve someone who will treat you like a princess, Liv. Spencer is not that guy. The right one will come along and he’ll love you for who you are . . . not for your bank account.
Piper approached and he turned the screen over, n
ot wanting her to see that last line. He could tell by her expression that she’d noticed. It totally looked like he was hiding something.
She forced a smile and handed him the leather check folder. “Here you go. Your dessert should be ready in a minute.”
He took the folder from her. “Thanks. I was just telling Olivia how good this place is.”
She tipped her head to the side. “You two must be really close.”
He nodded. “Yeah. She needs a little extra support right now. When she was dating Spencer,” his mouth twisted on the name, “we didn’t text nearly as much.”
“It’s nice that she has you.”
He shrugged, searching her eyes. Did she have anyone like that? He bit back the desire to ask about her family again.
“I have friends who are like that,” she said. “We’re there for each other—no matter what.”
He straightened. It was as if she’d read his mind. “Really? That’s awesome. Do they live in Pine Ridge?”
She nodded. “Jade used to live in New York, but she moved back last fall, so now we’re all together again.”
Drew wanted to meet these friends. He wanted to talk to Piper for hours, learning anything and everything there was to know about her.
She glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll go see if your dessert is ready.”
He nodded, disappointment sinking through him as he realized the conversation would have to wait. He needed to get home to Liv. He reached for his wallet again, pulling out a hundred-dollar bill. Maybe it was a tiny bit overgenerous, but no way was he about to leave her with less. In truth, even leaving only this much pained him. He found himself wanting to shower Piper with gifts. To impress her with his wealth, the way he had his past girlfriends, so she couldn’t resist wanting to be with him. He was drawn to her in a way that he hadn’t been with anyone else. It was unnerving. Exciting. There was something about her he couldn’t seem to get his fill of—and he hadn’t even kissed her yet.
Lucky You (Pine Ridge Romance Book 1) Page 5