Page 85 of A Perfect Match
"Then what?Because it sure sounds like you think I'm incapable of managing my own project."
I can see Griffin's words echoing in her defensiveness, the way she's interpreting my concern as doubt in her abilities."Piper, that's not—"
"You know what?Forget it."She turns away from me, starting to gather her painting supplies."Thanks for the invitation, but I think I'll pass.I have work to do."
"Come on, don't be like this."
"Like what?Like someone who doesn't appreciate being told what to do?"She's shoving brushes into a bucket with more force than necessary."I'm fine, Kru.I can take care of myself."
"I know you can.I'm just saying—"
"You're just saying I should stop working and come hang out instead.Because apparently my priorities are wrong."
"That's not what I meant."
"Isn't it?"She spins around to face me, paint-streaked and exhausted but still blazing with determination."Everyone has an opinion about what I should be doing.My brothers think I'm taking on too much.You think I'm working too hard.Well, guess what?This is my project, my timeline, my decision."
I hold up my hands in surrender."Okay.You're right.I'm sorry."
Some of the fight goes out of her, but she's still tense."I just…I need to do this my way, at my pace.Can you understand that?"
"I can," I say, even though every instinct is telling me she needs to rest."But promise me you'll go home soon?It's late, and it's cold out here."
"I will," she says, which isn't quite a promise but is better than an argument."Go have fun with Maverick.Tell him I'm sorry I couldn't make it."
I want to argue more, to insist she come with me or at least let me drive her home.But I can see she's reached her limit for being managed today, and pushing further will only make things worse.
"Text me when you get home?"I ask.
"Yes, chef," she says with a tired smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.
I hesitate at the barn door, looking back at her as she climbs back up the ladder.Everything in me wants to stay, to make sure she's okay, but I force myself to leave.
The drive back to my place is short.Maverick's truck is already in my driveway when I pull up, and I can see him through the front window, making himself at home on my couch with a beer.I told him the code to get in so he wouldn’t have to wait in his car.
"There you are," he says when I walk in."I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me.Where's the girlfriend?I was looking forward to hanging with her."
"She had to work," I say, grabbing a beer from the fridge and joining him on the couch."Rain check."
Maverick takes one look at my face and whistles low."Damn, what happened to your eye?"
"I met Piper's brother," I say dryly.
His grin is immediate and wide."And I'm guessing he didn't approve of the relationship?"
"That's one way to put it."
"You're lucky it's just a black eye.I was expecting broken bones when you told me you were dating Griff Keegan’s little sister."
We settle into easy conversation, Maverick regaling me with stories from his latest food truck adventures while I try not to think about Piper alone in that barn.But my phone stays silent—no texts, no calls.
"You're distracted," Maverick observes after I miss the punchline of his story entirely.
"Sorry.Just thinking about work stuff."
"Work stuff or girlfriend stuff?"
I take a long pull of my beer."Both, maybe."
