Page 98 of Moonlit Colorado

I was less excited to see Ashford and Callum, just because I knew they’d be super intense about all this, but it was reassuring to know they were close.

“Do you feel like talking about what happened?”

Piper kept her arms around me as I explained it. I hadn’t told her much about Nina Jamison, but Piper caught up fast.

“So this Vincent guy keeps showing up at Knightly Global hotels,” she said.

“And the rehearsal dinner.”

“Clearly something very shady going on. Dane has no idea what this could be about?”

“None. He thinks his brother could know something, but Kip hates him and won’t tell him a thing.”

“I guess the rich aren’t immune to family drama,” she joked. “Are you sure you want to get involved in that? I noticed you didn’t object when I called Daneyour man.”

Her tone was teasing, but there was a kernel of sincerity to her question. And I felt my face heating in response. “You asked me yesterday what I really want. I’m pretty sure I wanthim.”

Piper bit her lip, eyes shining with excitement. “Yeah? He’s worth breaking your no-boyfriend vow?”

“It wasn’t a vow.” Okay, I’d been pretty dang serious about it. “But I think he’s worth it.”

She shrugged. “Don’t expect me to argue. The man flew me to New York on a private jet. I’d tell you how much free food I ate, but a lady needs to keep some things to herself.”

We both laughed. Then I grimaced. “Ow. My ribs. Don’t be funny.”

“Oops. Sorry. Tell me more about Mr. Hunky McHandsome instead.”

So I did. I told her all about the shopping trip on our first afternoon. Visiting Dane’s mom yesterday morning. Relaxing in Central Park. It was strange to think of how much had happened in such a short time.

Even with the terrible end to the evening last night, this was still the best trip I’d ever been on. Because of Dane.

Piper squeezed my hand. “He really does sound amazing. Good thing, because I wouldn’t give you up for any less of a guy.”

“Give me up? What do you mean?”

“Well, Dane’s not going to hang around Silver Ridge forever, right? He liveshere. His mom is here. So if you two really get serious…”

“Who knows what’ll happen,” I rushed to say, not wanting her to complete that thought. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

But could I see myself moving to New York? Living in Dane’s world instead of mine? Being away from Maisie and Piper and everyone else I considered family?

Dane had said he’d figure out the details of us dating, but what if his solution wasn’t something I could live with?

“No, you’re right,” Piper said. “Forget I said that. I’m just happy you found a guy you can trust, because I know how rare that is.”

“You don’t think I’m movingtoofast?”

Piper sighed, getting comfortable against the pillows as she considered my question. “I’m hardly the spokeswoman for falling in love. You know how I feel about that.”

I nodded. Her ex-husband deserved a long walk off a mountaintop for the way he’d treated her.

“I have my son to think about,” Piper went on, “and there are some things I can never risk again. I’m the founder of the Lonely Harts club for a reason.”

“So we can commiserate over our terrible love lives and disappointments.”

She laughed. “Exactly. But sweetheart, that doesn’t meanyoushould hold yourself back. Trust is scary. But if you’ve found the real thing with Dane, then go for it. I don’t want you to be lonely.”

I heard the echoes of what she’d left unsaid.

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