Page 12 of Worth the Risk

“Is this a therapy session? Anyways, Drew is sorry he isn’t here, but it was just too much with his own wedding coming up next week.”

Catherine places a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, I understand, especially as it is a bit of a drive from Bluetop.”

We both stand there in a moment of silence as we watch the room and people enjoying themselves. I don’t see Piper, which has me slightly concerned she took off, but she must be here somewhere.

“How is Lake Spark?” Catherine asks.

My lake house is where I hide when the training schedule allows or in the off-season. I much prefer small-town life. In the city, I have no peace, and although I’m appreciative of the fans, it’s nice to get away.

“I’m going to head there after Drew’s wedding and stay up there through summer training.” Quickly my eyes dart to the flash of peach fabric on a fine body. I spot Piper, and she sets an empty martini glass down on the bar before she walks in the direction of the ladies’ rooms. “April explained my responsibilities at the wedding then introduced me to some of the bridal party, including Ginger who she sometimes mentioned, yet her actual name is Piper.” I play it completely casual in hopes my sister doesn’t question it.

“Oh yeah.” She smiles. “Piper is such a good friend to her. She’s a fashion designer, and they met a few years ago at some workshop. A bright girl. I’m not quite sure why she doesn’t have a boyfriend, except she seems to be a bit of a workaholic. That reminds me, I need to talk to her about arranging a bridal shower.”

“Right.” I swipe a hand over my chin. Can’t exactly ask more without Catherine becoming suspicious.

It also registers in my head that I’ll be seeing more of Piper, whether she likes it or not. I’ve seen it with Drew, that weddings involve a lot of small events prior to the big day.

Lucky me.

“Sorry, I need to go chat with Jeff’s parents,” my sister mentions.

“Not a problem in the slightest.”

It gives me an opportunity to find Piper.

* * *

I feellike a hunter as I walk out of the room. An almost animalistic sense hits me in relation to Piper, and I feel like I may know where to find her.

The moment that I reach the hall, my eyes scan for the ladies’ room, and I head straight there. There is a joint lounge area between the men’s and women’s rooms, and I open the door. As I walk in, another man is leaving.

“Arrows!” he calls out. My guess is he’s a friend of my niece’s fiancé. “That was some playoff series. Maybe next year we’ll use a little more offense.” The young man smiles in good jest, but still, my return smile is tight.

“Thanks for the tip,” I say, hiding my annoyance, and don’t look over my shoulder as he leaves.

I take in my surroundings, and I’m thankful that it’s quiet except for a member of staff in her forties standing by, ready to offer fresh towels or mints.

Clearing my throat, I throw on a look that is persuasive as much as it is charming as I catch the woman’s glance.

Her face turns to surprise. “I know nothing about defense or offense, but my husband is a fan.”

“Is that so?” Perfect. I reach out to grab a pack of matches sitting in a bowl on the counter. “By any chance is there a woman in there wearing a peach-colored dress with her hair soft around her face?”

“There is,” she answers, intrigued.

I reach into my blazer, and I’m thankful that I have a pen. Pulling it out, I sign my name on the pack of matches then flip the box between my fingers to offer it to the lady. “For your husband.”

Her mouth stretches into a wide grin as she slowly takes them. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” I hold my smile a little longer. “What would be the chances I could go in there?” I motion behind her to the women’s room. “And let’s say… nobody interrupts while I talk to that woman?” Her eyes bug out, and I realize what that must have sounded like. I’m quick to hold up my hand to calm her. “Relax. She’s the maid of honor, and we need to plan a surprise for the future bride, and I wanted to hash out those details real quick.”

The woman looks at me still skeptical, but after a few moments, she tips her nose up. “Okay. You have five minutes max, otherwise my boss may kill me.”

I bring my hands together. “You are an angel. Thank you.”

Without delay, I beeline it to the women’s room, and as soon as I open the door, I close it and lock it.

In the mirror our eyes meet, and Piper’s breath hitches, as she’s startled. She must have been fixing her lipstick which may be useless if I have anything to say about it.

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