Page 19 of Forever and Other Lies

“You remind me of Ms. Brown, the second-grade teacher. Is she still teaching?”

“No, she retired last spring. I took over her class in the fall.”

“Did the position include her wardrobe?”

Piper glanced over her shoulder in confusion as she swiped her credit card. “No, why?”

“Because,” Jayna answered honestly. “You dress exactly like her.”

Piper frowned, looking down at the pink sweater set she wore. “I dress work appropriate,” she defended.

Jayna snorted. “Maybe it’s work appropriate, but it’s not age appropriate. And it certainly does not match that sexy new haircut.”

Vanessa shot an apologetic look Piper’s way, followed by another exasperated frown in Jayna’s direction.

Jayna shrugged. She wasn’t being mean to Piper. Not on purpose. She was trying to be helpful, but tact was not her strong suit. She softened her tone, grabbing Piper’s arm.

“Come on. Let’s finish this makeover.”

Jayna steered Piper through the door and toward her vehicle. She’d driven her red jeep today and hoped there was enough trunk space for the bags. Piper’s wardrobe was in serious need of an intervention.

“Buckle up, buttercup. We’re going to do some damage to that credit card.” And when Piper’s card was maxed out, Jayna would pull out her platinum card. This was a worthy charity.

They spent the afternoon at the nearby mall, visiting store after store. Standing in front of the changing room mirror in jeans and a zip-up magenta jersey knit shirt, Piper was gorgeous. Who knew underneath the loose-fitting clothes that the meek teacher was hiding curves and cleavage?

“Jessica sent a text. Everyone is at Patty’s. Let’s pay and head over there.”

“Everyone? Who is everyone?” Piper looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Everyone who counts,” Jayna chuckled. Nick Taylor was going to lose his mind when he caught a glimpse of his new, improved fiancée.

“Okay, I just need to change first.”

“Nope, not a chance. Those old clothes are getting burned.” Jayna steered Piper toward the checkout, ripping off the price tag from the back of the shirt.

Half-price wings and a hockey game always filled up Patty’s Pub. Jayna was happy to see that it also brought in Nick. He sat at a table with his cop friend, Burke Winston, and Derek. She held in a groan. Life was never perfect. The good always came with some bad. Tonight, that bad came in the form of Derek Brennan. The ape was everywhere.

Piper stiffened beside her. The woman looked so nervous and unsure. Jayna’s heart broke for her. Piper’s childhood had been so difficult. As a young girl, she’d been taken from the neglectful care of a drug-addicted mother and placed with a grandmother she’d never met. When she first moved to Blythe Landing, the kids at school had not been kind to her.

Jayna strung her arm through Piper’s. “You are going to knock his socks off. I mean, seriously, who could resist this? Piper, you look stunning. Nick won’t know what hit him,” she whispered as they walked towards the table. “Hey men, and Derek.”

Nick turned and his jaw dropped as his eyes landed on Piper. Mission accomplished. The man was in need of a wake-up call. Piper had mentioned that he seemed distant lately and non-committal about resetting the wedding date.

“Wow, Piper,” Nick blinked rapidly. “You look so good.”

“You do look fantastic, Piper.” Derek raised and lowered both eyebrows. “If you get tired of waiting for this guy, I’m available.”

“She’ll never get that tired.” Jayna snorted and took the only vacant chair beside the Neanderthal. She motioned to Jessica who was sitting at the bar. “Burke, can you grab another chair for Jessica?”

Derek was outright ogling Piper. Damn, men were so predictable. Her eyes moved to Piper. The transformation was incredible, but she was still the same woman underneath the new clothes and hairstyle.

As the night wore on, Piper looked increasingly uncomfortable, and Jayna began to feel guilty. She knew she could be pushy, often disregarding boundaries and pushing people out of their comfort zones. Had she done that with Piper today?

While Piper and Jessica went to the bathroom, Jayna shifted her focus to Nick. He was staring at the bathroom door. How did he feel about the new and improved Piper?

She snagged a few French fries off his plate.

“Here, take them all.” Nick shoved the plate toward her.

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