Page 71 of Worth the Risk

“Partly, but not enough that it’s an issue. Look, I know she hasn’t had the best of romantic endeavors lately, but even more reason why she could use her friend, and I need Piper happy too, especially now that she’s losing me to the football season schedule. I’d feel better knowing she has her best friend back.”

“For selfish reasons, you call, but luckily I love you, and you did promise that I could have a spa day at the Dizzy Duck Inn on your account—”

My body sits up in reaction. “That’s it. You’re a genius. See, I knew phoning you would be a good idea. Thanks!”

“Wait, what? What just happened? I’m confused.”

“Gotta go, need to call April.” I hang up and quickly dial April’s number, even adding video.

I wait and wait, but eventually April answers.

“Yes?” I hear attitude which only makes me smile.

“You can’t stay mad at me. We’re family, and my son is connected to the best winery around and I coach your favorite team, so you need me.”

She holds her hand up. “Oh, don’t worry. Drew isn’t getting my silent treatment since he didn’t sleep with my best friend. Why did you, my cool uncle, have to become a cliché?”

“I’m not a cliché. I found a beautiful woman who I want to spend my life with, and she just so happens to be your age and your friend. I can’t apologize—”

“I know. You have no problem staying firm on your stances. It’s why you’re a coach.”

I smile at her thought. “I know somewhere in your smart head that if you look at it more, then you would understand. Anyways, it happened and here we are, and I just wanted to invite you to Lake Spark sometime soon for a spa day. I promised your mom it would be on me and thought I would extend the invitation.”

April looks at me, intrigued yet doubtful.

“Will Piper be there?”

“No. Would it matter, though? I know you miss her. I mean, she misses you. Just the other day she was in a mood because she saw a dog and said it reminded her of you.”

“Was it a beagle?” April nearly smiles.

I nod and see we are approaching our destination on all counts.

“Listen, I’ve got to run, but will you make it happen? Visiting Lake Spark?”

“I mean, I guess I can cram it into my busy schedule of ice cream, ripping up photos of my ex, and wondering where I went wrong in life.”

I cringe at that thought. “How are you doing with that?”

“Swell,” she says, sarcastic.

“You deserve so much better, and you will find someone.”

“If I had a penny every time someone told me that, then, well, I would be swimming in coins.”

I unbuckle my belt as the car comes to a standstill. “All the more reason to have a nice escape. Just send me your available dates.”

“Fine.”

“We’ll be in touch,” I say as the car door opens.

“Bye.”

“Bye, kiddo.”

Satisfaction spreads on my face because I have every intention of trapping April and Piper together, and I know they will thank me later. After that, we can just all move forward, because surely we’ve crossed every possible blip off the list.

22

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