Page 19 of The Wrong Date Deal

Piper’s phone lit up with a message from Claire, checking she was on the way, and she couldn’t help but feel like they’d summoned the woman by talking about her. However, Claire was getting her whole evening, so she knew she was going to reply to August first.Ahh, dangerous threats. Now you know all of my secrets about how much I hate her matchmaking attempts, I guess I’ll have to work hard to ensure she doesn’t find out.

While she waited for August to reply, she switched to Claire’s message and sent a quick confirmation of where she was and when she’d be arriving.

She also decided to share her location with August.

Indeed,August replied.All part of my evil plan. And now I have your location, it’s all coming together.

Piper breathed another laugh at her phone.I’d be a lot more worried if that had come from someone else.

You’re telling me I’m not giving off ‘evil genius’ vibes?

That’s exactly what I’m telling you.

Rats. I was so sure I’d nailed it that time.

Piper felt the car slowing as they got closer to Claire’s home, but she found herself too engrossed in her messages to want to arrive too quickly. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d wanted to spendmoretime in a random driver’s car.Maybe next time.

Clearly, I need to practice.

Eh. I kind of like you as you are.

Oh, just ‘kind of’, huh?

Haha. You got me. I think you’re great as you are.

Thank goodness. Otherwise, I’d really have to start trying that whole superhero or evil genius thing and I don’t think I’d be great at either.

Piper’s car stopped and she looked up to see Claire’s driveway bursting with cars, the lights of the home all on.

From outside, it looked warm, welcoming, and lovely. If she hadn’t known what awaited her inside, she might have been excited.

I think you’d be great at either,she sent back to August. Then, after getting out of the car, she added,Just arrived, so I guess I’ll see you on the other side.

I can see that,August replied quickly, clearly having kept an eye on Piper’s location.Let me know if you need an escape. I can’t promise a superhero crew, but I can drive to come get you.

Piper shivered in the cold night, but she smiled at the message, her heart feeling warmer.Thanks, August. Have a great evening!

You too! And seriously, keep me posted if you need an out.

Piper smiled softly at her phone.Will do.

She turned the screen off and slipped it into her pocket right as she reached Claire’s door.

It whipped open before she could knock, and Claire beamed at her in a way that suggested she’d been waiting behind it, watching through the peephole. Piper doubted that, though. The woman had guests she was supposed to be entertaining. She did, however, glance quickly around to see if there were cameras that could have alerted Claire to her approach.

“I’m so glad youfinallymade it,” Claire said, ushering her inside.

Piper attempted to stifle a frown. It was seven o’clock. She’d been told to arrive at seven. “You said seven, right?”

“Well, yes, but it’s polite to arrive early.”

“Is it?” Piper looked around the entryway wildly. She could hear the sound of others already here, but she’d always believed it was rude to arrive early. If anything, you shot for a little late, just to ensure the host had everything set up without feeling pressured.

Claire shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Young people today.”

It was honestly odd that Claire worked in music distribution. Well, maybe it wasn’t, but it was odd she worked for the same company Piper did, given that most of the music they workedwith was aimed at those very same young people she seemed to have such disdain for.

“Marco is already here,” Claire said, practically yanking Piper’s coat from her body.

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