Page 157 of Power Play

“Clutterbuck. I’m going to be Alana fucking Clutterbuck.”

I try to hold back my laugher, but it’s impossible. I cackle until my sides hurt and tears prick my eyes. When I get myself under control, I look at her unimpressed face and lose it again.

“That is really unfortunate,” I wheeze. “You must love him very much.”

“I do. I can’t wait to go to the DMV and get called Clusterfuck or Flutterfuck.”

“Maybe Buttercuck? That’s kind of cute.”

“I like your optimism.” She pats my hand and points up the road. “Want to head back? They’re probably going to look for me soon.”

“I guess we should. This is your party and all,” I say, and we start our walk back to the hotel. “Do you get to DC a lot? If you’re ever in town, you’ll have to grab dinner with me and my friends.”

“We’re opening an office on the East Coast later this year, so I planned to make a stop up to see Liam. I’d much rather hang out with you.”

“Please. I’d love that. I’ll give you my number so you can text me and we can set something up.”

“I learned a long time ago to not meddle in my brother’s personal life, and I really don’t want to piss him off. But I’m going to say this: you’re good for him, Piper. As a friend. As a fake girlfriend. As a… whatever else you all are doing. Because Iknowthere’s something else. Just don’t give up on him, okay?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” I smile at the sunshine on my face and the warmth in my heart. “He’s good for me, too."

FORTY-TWO

PIPER

“Alana replacedyou as my favorite Sullivan sibling.” I lean against the railing of the balcony attached to our room and stare out at the ocean. A hint of salt lingers in the air, and I smile at the scent. “You’re in second place now.”

“I take it you had a good time together?” Liam rests his back against the ledge and glances at me. “You were gone all morning.”

“Did you miss me?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“I’m going to pretend like you’re lying. We had a great time. She reminds me of Lexi a little bit, with her vivacious energy and not giving a hoot what people might think of her.”

“I can see that. I’d be afraid if the two of them were in the same room together.”

“You and me both.” I smile as a faint breeze picks up pieces of my hair and blows them across my face. “It’s a bummer we have to leave the day after tomorrow. I’m having so much fun. Can you tell Coach you’ve become a citizen and we’re staying? Technically, since we’re married, I have to go where you go.”

“Tempting, but think of Pico. He’d miss you too much if we stayed.”

“We could find a way to bring him over. You did rent a private plane to fly us here.” I wink at him, and he scoffs. “Who’s watching him while we’re gone?”

“Hudson. For as much as Pico hates people, he loves dogs. He fits in great at Hud’s place.”

“It’s probably utter chaos, isn’t it?”

“I got a voice memo this morning that said everyone was alive, but Hudson needed two stitches above his eyebrow because of a claw incident. I reminded him this washisidea, and I got back a nice picture of his middle finger.”

“Sounds like the photo I got of your middle finger.” I spin so our sides press together and tip my chin up at him. “By the way, I, um, took off my ring for the rehearsal dinner tonight. I thought it would be noticeable with my dress, and I wanted to avoid questions.”

I’ve touched my collarbone no less than ten times in the last hour while getting ready, and a part of me feels naked without the cool band resting on my skin.

It’s funny to care about something so small and insignificant—especially when it doesn’t represent something real—but I’m incomplete without it.

“Is that your subtle way of telling me you want a divorce, Piper? You get your medicine and go?” Liam smirks. “I knew you had ulterior motives.”

“Trying to avoid a conversation with your mother about why I’m wearing a wedding band so close to my heart.” I lift an eyebrow at him. “Was I supposed to want to stay in this marriage for other reasons?”

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