“You do?” He smiled. “Good. Because you’re mine. My very own Christmas present. And I haven’t forgotten that I owe you one. You did beat me last night.” His eyes heated. “I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d think your middle name was Hoover.”
“Aw, such a compliment.”
“Piper, I nearly passed out. Take the compliment as it was intended. You’re a goddess.”
She grinned, feeling like one. “Thanks, handsome. Now go run around training while I try to sell more houses.”
“But not the cat one. I think I’m in love with Bast.”
“Ha ha. You put an offer on that and I’ll shoot you.”
He laughed.
“Seriously, though, I’m sorry about the mountain view house. That would have been a keeper.”
“Ah, about that. I—”
Her phone rang. “Shoot, Grant. I’m sorry, I have to get this. I’m supposed to show him and his wife a listing later.” She paused. “Hello? Bruno? Hi. No, it’s not too early for a call.”
She waved to Grant, who kissed her on the cheek then left. Piper had her work cut out for her, but she really liked the family who’d been keen to move into Hope’s Turn, opening up a music store downtown.
Her first big surprise of the day came in the form of a new bouquet of flowers sent from one of “Santa’s Elves.” Or as she knew him, Grant. They were beautiful. Everyone in the office went gaga over them, and when her assistant told everyone that the West Wind had a thing for the boss, Piper felt strangely excited over their congratulations.
For once, instead of playing off his crush as harmless or unimportant to herself, she allowed herself to savor Grant’s interest. Because he was right. She did deserve to be happy, and Grant liked her. Hell, if she believed him, he loved her.
That warmth continued to grow throughout the day, especially every time she inhaled the rich scent of roses on her desk.
Then a lunch arrived from her favorite deli, courtesy of Santa’s Elf again.
“Okay, now I’m officially jealous,” her assistant said as she passed by and groaned. “A BLT from Edie’s? Oh man.”
The rest of Piper’s day passed in a blur, from meeting Bruno and his wife to showing them several properties she’d planned out. By the time she made it home, she was spent.
With Jenna spending time studying for finals with a study group, she had Grant all to herself. Except he wasn’t alone.
“Hello there.” She smiled at an adorable little boy who looked just like Cade but had Ellie’s eyes.
“Hi.” The cherub smiled back. “I’m Alex.”
“I know. I met you a long time ago, but you probably don’t remember me.”
“I do too. You’re Pied Piper. Uncle Grant is going to marry you but only if he’s not a dumbass.”
She blinked, not sure what to say to that, and watched Grant come back into the living room rubbing his wet hair with a towel, dressed in jeans and a long sleeved Henley that lovingly clung to his biceps and chest.
“Oh, hey, Piper. You’re home early.”
“Yeah.” Had Grant told Cade he wanted to marry Piper? Or had Alex overheard his dad talking about Grant and marriage? For all that Grant had said he loved her, he hadn’t proposed.
Which was a good thing.
A great thing. Yep, surely a good—great—thing.
Flustered, she forced a smile and saw Grant frown. “Is it the three of us for dinner tonight?”
“Yeah. I told Cade I’d help watch Alex for him so he could have a date night.”
“I’m telling Mom!”
