His dark eyes are like obsidian, my free hand moving up to trace the hard line of his chiseled jaw.
My tongue darts out wetting my lips as they zero in on his, as he—
“Well! That’s one thing taken care of,” My mom announces loudly, making me jump back a good three feet from Reeve, knocking over the coffees I’ve just poured for us both.
“Jesus, Piper. What is it with you today?” Mom shrieks. “And did you really need to use so much perfume? I can smell you all the way from the other side of the house,” she says even louder.
Reeve is quick to make sure I’m not hurt and has the mess half cleaned up before I can even blink.
“We were just talking about the change in plans, and Piper was wondering about her hair,” he rumbles, shooting me a look that tells me he’s far from finished what he just started between us both.
“Oh, you’ll look fine, sweetie,” Mom says disinterestedly. “Just don’t drench yourself in that… fragrance… Please!”
I’d normally want the ground to open up and swallow me, but with his back to my mom, Reeve makes the funniest face, perfectly imitating her causing my lips to quiver.
I have to clench my jaw so as not to laugh once we’re both facing her again, hearing her progress on rescuing the wedding and about the next rehearsal.
The next rehearsal, we’re both shocked to hear, is arranged for tonight.
Mom groans aloud, rolling her eyes. “It’s stupid, right? I mean we just had one last night, but it’s the only time we have in the church before the actual wedding day… You’ll be able to make it, won’t you Reeve?” she asks.
“You’ll need to pick up your suit though, and we all have to pretend it’s the real thing. Except for the ‘I do’ parts, which we’ll leave until the actual ceremony,” she explains.
Reeve pretends to look doubtful for a minute, sucking some air in between his teeth before letting her off the hook.
“I’ll make sure I’m there, Clara. I wouldn’t wanna miss any part of Rhys’s big day.”
Mom’s mood changes in a flash. “That some Marine thing, huh?” she asks, almost angrily but Reeve stays silent.
Only saying something once it’s clear he won’t bite. No matter how much bait mom lays out for him.
“I’m just here to help,” he says, forcing a smile, but sounding so sincere my mom can’t do anything except say sorry.
“It’s just been a helluva day so far, Reeve.” She finally sighs. “I am glad you’re here. We both are,” she admits, giving me a quick glance as I nod in agreement.
“Rhys is gonna meet me in town for lunch,” she tells us both, glancing at the clock on the wall and giving a little gasp.
“I gotta run. We’ll see you both at seven,” Mom says, glancing from Reeve to me again. “Also, I thought you might be able to drive Piper down again, like yesterday if you’re not too busy,” she adds, telling, rather than asking.
“May as well get used to each other. You’ll be roomies for a week in a few days,” she snorts, enjoying her own joke as she grabs her bag and prepares to leave.
But Reeve only makes a low sound, nodding.
I steady myself with both hands behind me against the sink.
It’s no joke.
I know I’m about to be alone with Reeve for the next few hours.
Somehow just knowing he’s put everything on hold to be here, and not only for his best friend’s wedding plan changes either.
All my confidence. All the knowledge I have in my fantasy with Reeve vanishes the minute I hear mom calling out goodbye and pulling the door shut.
More than just nerves taking hold of me once I hear her car pull away.
But Reeve is a gentleman, he’s not just some sleazoid friend of Rhys.
I guess he does want more than just friendship between us, but he’s not gonna force himself on me, I can just tell.
But damn. If there isn’t just the slightest part of me that wishes he would.
It would save me a whole lot of guesswork, and a man that takes the lead and looks like Reeve?
Well, that’s my ultimate fantasy right there.
I’m half expecting him to grab a hold of me again, growling something like ‘where were we?’
But for now, Reeve seems content to re-make us both some coffee, and once he’s sure we’re alone, just sits at the kitchen table and talks.
Getting to know me some but also letting me know he wasn’t kidding just now.
“I want to kiss you, Piper,” he finally says roughly. Suddenly and without warning after I’ve been babbling on about my bridesmaid dress and how it’ll never fit just right because I fluctuate with my weight so much.
About how I should probably go clean off all this stupid makeup and shower off this ten-dollar perfume.