Page 70 of Black Roses

But as I run through the busy streets, frantic to find her, one thought slows me down.

Even if she can get past this and allow herself to love me, could she ever accept Hailey? Because my daughter and I—we’re a package deal.

There has to be some way to have them both.

Not able to locate Piper, I get out my phone and tap the screen. “Just one more favor. Please, Charlie?”

~ ~ ~

I spot her immediately. Well, me and all the other red-blooded males at the café. Her picture doesn’t do her justice. She’s stunning. Taller than average, her long dark-red hair bounces in carefree waves around her shoulders. She tucks it behind her ears, scanning the crowd until she spots me.

Her hazel eyes don’t give much away as she studies me. We spoke on Monday of course, when I called her from Bruce and Jan’s house. But I can tell she might be skeptical. My ears still hurt from the verbal lashing she gave me over the phone. Apparently, she had already seen Piper and had to step out of their hotel room to wring my neck, cussing me out not only in English, but in several foreign languages. Impressive.

I couldn’t get a word in edgewise, not until Jan took the phone from me, explaining the gist of the situation to Charlie. Then upon my arrival, mere hours ago, she told me where I could most likely find Piper. She was dead on. I only had to wait for thirty minutes before she showed up seeking her daily vice. Charlie refused to give me the name of the hotel. I think she was afraid it wouldn’t go well. Unfortunately, she was right.

She makes her way to my table, men parting like the Red Sea to let her pass as their tongues go wagging. She really is the spitting image of her once-famous mother. I wonder if she gets recognized for it over here. For me anyway, the anonymity here is refreshing, even for a lowly backup quarterback.

I stand and greet her. “Charlie. Thank you for meeting me.” I hold out a welcoming hand, torn between offering her a drink out of politeness and getting right down to business.

I err on the side of chivalry. She does have a lot of clout with Piper, after all. “What can I get you?”

She shakes my hand, a strong confident handshake delivered with eye contact. Such a difference from the shrinking flower I’m in love with. It makes me happy to think maybe Piper has a protector in Charlie.

She takes the seat next to mine. “Nothing, thanks.”

As I return to my seat, she assesses me. Not in a sexual way. Not in a confrontational way. Almost in the way you’d look at a stray dog from the pound when deciding whether to take him home or not.

“So,you’rethe one.” She leans back in her chair, folding her arms under her breasts.

My frustrated hand runs through my hair. “I didn’t do it, Charlie. I swear I wasn’t one of them—”

She holds a curt hand up to stop my words. She’s tall, but she’s not a large woman, her petite, swan-like frame commanding far more respect than I gave her credit for. “That’s not what I meant,” she says. “I meant you’rethe one. Her chance at happiness. Normalcy. The one who is going to finally take her from me.”

“What? No.” I’m appalled she would think I’m trying to do that. But before I can defend my actions, I realize that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. “Well, shit. Yeah, I guess that is pretty much what I want. But I only want to take her back to New York. I don’t want to take her from her best friend.”

She laughs. It’s a throaty, sultry noise that causes heads to turn. “It’s okay, Mason. It’s great, in fact. I’ve been waiting for this day.”

I look around. I’ve obviously missed something. “I’m confused.”

“She thinks she’s here for me. She’s always thought that and I’ve let her. But it couldn’t be further from the truth.”

I draw my eyebrows at her, begging for clarification.

“I know Piper told you about me. Knowing her, it was probably to deflect questions you had about her behavior. Am I wrong?”

“No, you’re not wrong. She really freaked out when she saw your—” My mouth clamps shut into a thin, regretful line. I’m not sure she knows about their confrontation.

“My father,” she says. “It’s okay. Piper and I tell each other everything.”

I look at her out of the top of my lashes.

She nods. “Everything.”

I roll my eyes at the insinuation. But I’m glad to know she has a friend like that.

Griffin. He’s my Charlie. We’ve gotten each other through some tough times.

“If you know everything there is to know about her then maybe you can help me understand why she’s running away from me. From this. Is it really because I was there that night, or is it because of my daughter, Hailey?”

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