Page 48 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

“Yeah, but they weren’t like Blair. Blair’s aman.”

“No kidding. He’s got at least seven, eight years on you, doesn’t he?”

She frowns and shrugs. “Six. Besides, Billy’s five years older than you, so I don’t see the difference.”

I’m deadpan. “And you assume that we’re romantic?”

A wave and a scoff. “Please. You’d have to be blind not to see it, Piper. The looks, the closeness, it’s very evident. Plus, you’re living with him. I mean, come on.”

I go for offended. “I’m living with him because I haven’t got any place else to go!”

She gives me a look. Her tone is half amused, half argumentative. “Nowwho’s the shitty liar?”

With a huff, I try to hide my smile, as I go back to the books. “Whatever. Just wait and see what happens. See if I promote your business out here with that attitude.”

“Oh, stop being a big baby. So I figured you out. It’s no different than anyone else. It’s no secret that you two are sweet on each other.”

“And what are you going to do about Blair, huh? Is this just a fling or are you in it for the long haul with him?”

“I really don’t know. It’s too early to tell. We only met last night, Piper.” She tells me, like I’m an idiot.

“Has it only been a day?”

“Yes. Just like it’s only been days since you lived here with Mister Perfect.”

Now it’s my turn to give her a look. “You should get to work. Or I’ll tell your new boss that you’re slacking off.”

She’s not impressed. “I thoughtyouwere my new boss.”

“Keep it up and I’ll tell your mama and daddy what you’re up to with Blair.”

She guffaws as she pulls her keys out of her pocket. “Like they’d believe you. They think that I’m the perfect virgin daughter, just like my sister.”

“Where are you going?” I ask as she walks away from me.

“To get my stuff out of the car. How do you think I’m going to clean this place? With my bare hands?”

“Fine.” I huff. I don’t even really know why I’m irritated. I think it’s my hormones. I can’t wait to shove everyone out the door so that I can have Billy all to myself. I feel like a lovesick teenager, and I might as well be. Jade sure is. She returns a minute later with a bucket full of homemade cleaning products, and a backpack on her shoulder. After she sets down the backpack, she rifles through it and tosses me a large Ziploc bag full of what looks like hand labelled plastic bottles.

“Here. Try these.”

“What’s this?” I ask, taking a closer look.

“It’s what we were just talking about. It’s some products I’ve made.”

“You made them at home?”

“No, at the Playboy Mansion. What do you think?”

“And your daddy let you do that?”

“Why not? I made a couple of things for men, too.”

“Really? Are some in here, too?” I’m impressed.

“Sure. If you trust me, you can give a few to your man, put in a good word.”

I open one of the bottles of what looks like moisturizer. It smells like vanilla. Good enough to eat. “Say, it’s a good thing you’re taking business in school. You’re going to need some know-how for this.”

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