Page 44 of Tangled Kisses
Chapter Eleven
Reese
We’ve only been at the Rocking Horse bar for thirty minutes, and Piper has already hit me with three bombs.
One: Mom told her I’m dodging her calls.
Two: She’s right.
Three: Apparently, I need to get over it.
And bonus number four—my sister is hellbent on a mission to get drunk. Two beers down, ordering shots like it’s a competitive sport, and swearing she’sabsolutely fine.
“Iamavoiding Mom,” I mutter, stabbing at a fry. “Not ready to sit through the Vander diatribe. Why would you leave him, Reese? He’s so handsome. So wealthy. So powerful.”
“Newsflash,” Piper says around a sip of her beer. “Mom never liked Vander. Neither did Dad.”
Well, that’s news to me.
I shake my head and down another swallow of beer. “But then it’ll segue into, what are you doing with your life? You’re not getting any younger, Reese. We expected more from you.”
Piper giggles and squeezes my arm. “Trust me, you’re the easy kid. I’m the one they have to worry about.”
“Let’s not forget,” I add, holding up a third finger, “that I have zero idea how to answer Mom if she asks about whatyou’redoing.”
“She knows.”
My chewing stops mid-bite. I stare at my sister, jaw slack. “You told her you’re working as an escort?”
Piper shrugs, all casual mischief. “I didn’t say it inso manywords. I told her I was working in hospitality, which I am. That I’m doing very well, which I am. And that my bank account has more zeros than it ever has before—which it does. She’s happy. I’m happy. Case closed.”
I just gape at her.
“What?” she asks, smirking. “I know you don’t approve.”
I set my burger down and shake my head. “Piper, I’m in awe of you. Honestly. You live life on your own terms, by the seat of your pants, and it’s fucking amazing.”
Her grin falters, turning almost shy. “Thanks, sis. But it’s not like the ranch is just raucous playtime. There are rules.”
I set my burger down, brushing the crumbs from my hands. Then I lean forward, elbows braced on the table like I’m about to negotiate a UN treaty. “Okay. Hit me with them. What are the rules?”
Piper rolls her eyes, lips quirking. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Absolutely. Now spill.”
She pops a fry into her mouth, smirking as she chews. “Fine. First rule—you can’t date a client.”
“Okay, yeah. That makes sense.” I nod, sipping my beer. “I can see where those lines would get pretty blurry. Has it ever happened?”
“If it does, you’re done,” she says flatly. “Capri doesn’t mess around with that. It’s the fastest way to get tossed.”
“And for you?”
Piper shakes her head. “Nope. It’s just business for me. Most of my work is straight escorting—being the sweet girlfriend on someone’s arm, laughing at their jokes, making them feel like they’re the most fascinating man alive.”
I groan. “You getpaidfor that? Damn. I’ve been giving it away for free.”
She winks. “Stick with me, sis.”
