Page 29 of Meant To Be

I contemplated my options here. Piper would probably skin me alive if I told Wade about us, but I needed to figure out what the hell was going on. Tonya had stopped by Stolen Hearts Lodge restaurant the other night unexpectedly, but absolutely nothing other than a brief conversation had happened.

I’d walked her out to her car, and that was it. My best guess was Wade might’ve assumed just because she stopped and chatted with me for a few minutes that something happened. Now, I didn’t know what the fuck to do.

Every time I thought about dropping it and letting Piper go, a sense of panic churned. I still couldn’t quite believe it, but I had fallen in love with Piper. No matter how loud my doubts were, I didn’t care. I was willing to pay the price of loss if that’s what happened in the long run, but I wasn’t ready to let her go without a fight.

“Dylan?” Wade prompted, tapping his fingertips on the table.

I lifted my gaze to his and cleared my throat. “So before I say this, you can punch me.”

My friend’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why the hell would I want to punch you?”

I decided to lead with the important part. “I love Piper.”

His brows flew up in confusion. “Piper? My sister?”

I cleared my throat again. “Yes, Piper, your sister. The only Piper I know. I love her.”

Wade was still not getting the memo. He cocked his head to the side, narrowing his eyes. “You love Piper? Like romantic love?”

My heart thudded against my ribs an answer. “Yes.”

I could see the tension in Wade’s shoulders. “What the fuck? So what the hell happened with Tonya the other night?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. We talked about the weather, and I asked how she was doing. I walked her out to her car, and that was it.” Wade rolled his eyes. “The only reason I’m saying anything to you—and Piper asked me not to, by the way—is because apparently, you told her something happened with Tonya and me. I don’t know what the fuck you told her, but now she won’t even talk to me.”

“How do I know nothing happened with you and Tonya?”

“I have no reason to lie to you about this,” I said flatly.

“Well, actually you do. You’re trying to get me to cover for you with Piper.”

“I’m not trying to get you to cover for anything. Nothing happened!” I exclaimed. “Hold on a sec. Ask Evie and Dawson. They saw me come back in by myself, and I sat down with them. I’m calling Dawson right now.” I slid my phone out of my pocket, pulling his number up, and calling him.

“Hey, what’s up?” Dawson asked by way of greeting

“You’re on speaker. Could you please tell Wade that after I walked Tonya to her car, I came right back into the restaurant the other night?”

“Sure. I know you did because you sat with us. I don’t know what this is about, but I can vouch for that,” Dawson said.

“Thank you. Catch you later.”

I tapped the screen to end the call and crossed my arms as I studied my best friend. Wade stretched his jaw in an effort to ease the tension. His expression was thunderous.

“I can’t believe you fucked my little sister. Oh my God, I can’t even believe I said that sentence.” He ran his hands through his hair, just as the door to the kitchen opened from the side entrance, and Dani came walking in.

Her gaze flicked back and forth between us. “What’s going on?”

Wade looked over at her. “He was with Piper that weekend.” He flung his hand in the air, gesturing toward me. “Says he loves her.”

Dani didn’t even flinch. She set her purse on the table by the door and hung her jacket on a hook before she walked over to Wade. Hands on her hips, she eyed him. “Calm down.” Her gaze lifted to me. “I knew something was up with you and Piper.”

“You did?!” Wade exclaimed.

Dani looked his way, her expression understanding. “I didn’t know what exactly. That’s why I didn’t say anything. It could’ve just been a vibe, a crush.”

Wade sighed heavily. “Great. Well, Dylan wants me to straighten things out with Piper because I mentioned he had a thing with Tonya the other night.”

“Yeah, why would you say that? Nothing even happened. He came back into the restaurant. Dylan’s your friend. Cut him some slack.”

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