“She’s right.”
Cade frowned. “I know that. But I’m keeping a secret from her because it benefits you. See how that works?” He sipped his drink. “Is Piper avoiding you?”
“A little. And I still haven’t found a decent trainer in town.”
“Ask Mitch. He’d know.”
“Good idea. I need his number though.”
“Yeah? Ask Piper. She has it because she sold Mitch a house. Try to be charming when you ask her for it.”
“On that note, I need Alex tomorrow. I think showing how great I am with kids will soften her toward me.”
“No can do.” Cade sighed. “Some kind of school project for the kindergarteners. Ellie’s been helping at school with it. But next week for sure.”
“Okay. Put me down for at least two days.”
“Boy, you owe me at least three.” Cade whined, “She’s inviting Bea and Harry for a few days. You have thoroughly screwed me.”
Grant should have felt bad. He didn’t, his pursuit of Piper all-consuming.
“Hello. I’m going to be in hell for a week because of your love life. Sorry, lack of a love life.”
“Uh-huh. Look, I’m changing up the gameplan. Trying to finesse her behind her back was cheating. This way, it’s more honest. She knows I love her. Now there’s no sneaking around about it.”
“I know she’s on your list, dorko, but schmoozing Piper Mason isn’t going to be easy.” Cade lowered his voice. “She’s smart and beautiful. Not stupid and desperate.”
Grant frowned. “I don’t think I like what you’re saying about my past girlfriends.”
“What girlfriends? You had women friends you slept with. You never let anyone get closer because you’ve had Piper on the brain for nineteen freaking years.”
“Your point?”
“My point is the woman is smart and independent. She doesn’t need you.”
“She does, she just doesn’t know it yet.”
“She got left at the altar, Grant. You don’t just get over something like that. I don’t care if you’re a woman or a man, that shit eats at trust. Ellie and I talked about it for days after it happened, and Ellie kept telling me how destroyed she would have been if it had happened to her.”
“I know. I need to make Piper trust me. She deserves the whole experience.”
“Experience?”
“Of being courted, wooed.”
“I’m sorry, but what century are you living in?”
Grant shook his head. “How the hell did Ellie marry you? Where’s the romance in your soul?”
“Dead and gone.” Cade snorted. “Or at least, it has been for the past five years. Do you have any idea what kids do to your sex life? My little cockblocker is killing me. I mean, he’s adorable, but he’s hogging his mom lately.”
Grant choked on his coffee. “Nice way to talk about your kid.”
“Hey, you’re all about truth. It is what it is. I love him like crazy, but it’s hard to get to sexy town with those big blue eyes between me and his mom.”
“I see your point.” Grant had been nowhere near sex with Piper with Jenna in the house. And though it had only been a few days, he missed being that close to Piper like crazy. “Well, let me work my magic. I’m sure Piper will be seeing how much she loves me soon enough.”
Except a week later, he was stuck. Piper continued to be pleasant but guarded. Any time he tried to talk to her about feelings, she disappeared. He’d never seen a real estate agent work so damn hard in his life.
