Page 140 of Hat Trick

Me

Nope. You can be patient, right?

Riley

Do I get something if I am?

Me

The rest of the day with me. And the night, if you want it.

Riley

I definitely want.

Me

Good answer. See you later ;)

* * *

“Okay.This place is way too nice for the jeans I’m wearing.” Piper opens her menu and scans the wine list. “I didn’t think we’d be going to an upscale restaurant when I packed yesterday. There is a hole in the denim right above my knee.”

“I don’t think we’re the most underdressed people here. Those tourists are wearing Statue of Liberty crowns on their heads.”

Piper giggles. “Okay, fine. We don’t lookthatout of place.”

“Evening, ladies.” Our server stops at our table and smiles at us. He’s young, probably in his late twenties with tan skin and dark eyes. “Can I get you all started with something to drink?”

“I’ll have your sauvignon blanc please,” Piper says.

“Gin and tonic for me,” I add, and the server nods.

“I’ll be right back,’’ he says, flashing me another smile.

“Okay.” Piper puts her menu down and kicks my shin under the table. “He iscute. And flirting with you.”

“What are you talking about?” I laugh and roll my eyes. “He asked if we wanted something to drink. That’s hisjob, Piper.”

“The extra smile he tacked on at the end probably isn’t included in his job description.”

“Maybe not. But who doesn’t love some extra hospitality?”

“Are you going to give him your number?” she asks.

“Why would I give him my number? I’m here with you, and he’s clearly busy with work.”

“Wait a second.” She drops her chin in her palm and narrows her eyes. “You’re hiding something.”

“I’m not hiding anything!” I exclaim.

“You so are and—” Piper gasps and moves my hair away from my neck. “Is that a hickey?”

“You are so nosy.” I touch the mark Riley left on my skin two nights ago when he came over to watch a movie. We lasted thirty minutes on opposite ends of the couch before I was in his lap and his mouth was on my throat. A rough growl rumbled out of him when I said if he wasn’t careful, he was going to make me bruise, and he sucked on my skin even harder. “It’s not a hickey.”

“It is so a hickey. Who are you sleeping with?”

“A guy I’ve seen a few times.” I shrug, the lie easily rolling off me. “It’s not serious.”

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