Page 108 of He's The Reason Why

She looked down at the shirt she’d borrowed. “Is this basketball or baseball? I get them confused.”

“Baseball,” both men said in unison.

Marshall’s face twisted into a combination of lust and disappointment. “I knew I should have stayed home. You would have picked me if I’d been here. Admit it.”

“Sorry, Marshall. You’re a good friend, but you’re too much of a flirt for me.” She gave him a fond smile. “I have a plane to catch.”

“Here.” Blake handed her the go bag. “Lee’s waiting to take you home.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a grateful smile and put the bag down to hunt for pants. They were sitting on top where Blake must have put them. She dug out a spare pair of underwear from the bottom of the bag and turned her back to pull them on.

“Is she…” Marshall sounded shocked and excited at the same time.

Piper turned around to pick up the pants. “What? Does this bother you?”

“Hell no,” Marshall said.

“Yes,” Blake said.

She laughed. “I get dressed backstage all the time. You get used to quick changing in front of people. It’s no big deal.”

She winked at him and pulled on her jeans.

Marshall glanced at Blake, then turned his back. “Let me know when she’s done.”

Blake watched her wiggle into her pants with an expression that said he’d rather watch her take them off.

“Sorry, y’all, but I have to get going. You can debate my dressing habits after I leave.”

“You can’t leave,” Marshall protested. “I want details!”

“You’re not getting a play-by-play,” Blake said. “Forget it.”

“Not fair,” Marshall grumbled. “You owe me. You broke the deal, you have to pay the penalty. Don’t think I’m letting you welch, either. I’m going to enjoy watching you squirm.”

“Speaking of,” Blake said, “Rachel might be off the table. We had a thing while you were gone, not sure she’d agree to work with me. We might need to think up a different penalty.”

“What thing?” Marshall frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“She was in diva mode,” Piper explained. “Blake stood up for me. It was actually really sweet.”

Marshall looked from Piper to Blake and back. “Does Rachel know you two bumped uglies?”

“Hope not,” Blake said.

“Probably,” Piper said over him.

Both men looked at her.

“Come on, she’s not stupid. We were obviously friendly. Why do you think she had the mean-girl moment in the first place? She saw us chatting it up, being all cozy. I’m sure she suspects.”

“Oh, that’s not good,” Marshall said.

“Like I said, we might need option B on the penalty,” Blake said.

“We didn’t stipulate an option B. There’s only option A.” Marshall shook his head. “Was it worth it?”

“Yes,” Piper and Blake said at the same time.

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