Page 35 of A Perfect Match
His eyebrows shoot up."Why?"
"They think it's going to make me look bad.That it's bad for business."I wrap my arms around myself."That I'm being manipulated."
"By me?"He looks genuinely surprised.
I don’t want to confirm that, so I say, "By the situation."
He shakes his head."That's ridiculous.Pat and the crew are not out to start drama.Did they watch the food truck show?Because this is a totally different vibe and you know it.Besides, you're one of the smartest businesswomen I've ever met.Why would they doubt you?"
I blink at him."You've known me for less than a month.If you can say that, you haven’t met many businesswomen."
"I don't need long to recognize talent."His voice is sincere, his eyes locked on mine."Look at what you've built.Cloud Nine is a marketing masterpiece.Your product is unique, your branding is on point.You know exactly what you're doing."
Something warm unfurls in my chest at his words."You noticed all that?"
"Of course I did.You've got a line out the door most mornings.People taking pictures with your products, tagging you on social media.The show is lucky to have you, not the other way around."
I swallow hard, oddly touched by his assessment."I've seen your show too, you know.The food truck one."
"Yeah?"A smile tugs at his lips.
"You were good."I shrug, trying to play it casual."Ok, you were great.I was really happy when you came back to help Maverick at the end.”
He's about to say something else when Griffin's voice carries from the back door of his house.
"Piper?You out here?"
Shit.
"I have to go," I whisper, already backing toward the house.
"Meet me at the fence tomorrow night?"Kru calls softly after me.
I don't answer.I'm too busy hurrying toward the house, pretending I was just getting some air.
But as I slip through the back door, I can't stop thinking about Kru's words, about the way he sees me—not as the baby sister who needs guidance from brothers who know better, but as a capable businesswoman who knows her worth.
It's dangerously addictive, that kind of recognition.
Almost as addictive as his kisses.
But I'm not going to be some backyard railbird with my rival.Kisses are temporary—what I’m building with my business?That lasts a lifetime.I need to stay focused, so that was the last time with Kru.It has to be.
Even if every cell in my body is already anticipating tomorrow night.
CHAPTER TEN
KRU
The next two days are intense.Early mornings, grueling days, and by the time I get home, I’m looking forward to only one thing.
The marshmallow maven…who was a no-show both nights.
I’m not proud to admit that I hung around my backyard like a hungry dog waiting for a scrap of food.
I’m trying not to let her absence bother me.And I’m sure as hell not sniffing around her marshmallow shop like I want to.I’ve already confronted her once in the daylight about the chemistry she clearly knows we have.I know she’s resistant, and I’ve got a good idea of thewhy.But that chemistry should overrule everything else.Right?
Maybe I’m just thinking with my cock.No, scratch that.I’m absolutely thinking with my cock.Because my cock knows how juicy Piper is, inside and out.
