Dangerous Fling (Dangerous Noise 4)

"Two weeks, ideally," I say.

"You keeping her around that long?" Ethan's voice is tinged with concern.

"Ethan! He likes her. Don't say shit like that. They're cute. And Mal never likes anyone. I don't remember him ever liking anyone," Piper says.

"When he was in high school," Ethan says. "There was one girl he really liked who wouldn't give him the time of day."

"I don't remember that," Piper says.

"You still thought boys had cooties," Ethan says.

"I haven't thought that since I was eight," she says.

"That might be right. How old are you again?" He teases.

"I'm flipping you off right now," she says.

Okay, I can see this isn't going to end.

This is where I feel home, with my family.

But I need to say this shit about Mom and Dad. I need to convince them while they're in good moods.

"Mom and Dad are moving their trip up," I say.

"Okay…" Piper clears her throat. "That's nice."

"I talked to Mom. She's excited you're engaged, Ethan," I say.

"Yeah, I bet she remembers Violet's name and everything." Piper huffs. "I don't want to fight about this again."

"One dinner. Saturday night. The five of us, or you can bring Kit and Violet," I say.

"No," Piper says.

Ethan makes that hrmm noise.

"They have news." I don't have a clue what it is, but I doubt it's bullshit. They don't try hard enough to bullshit.

"Sure they do," Piper says.

"You want to bring Kit and Violet or not?" I ask.

"Violet will want to come," Ethan says. "You should bring Lacey. Will that get you to come, Piper?"

"Are you really that serious about her?" Piper asks.

"I'll bring her if it gets you there," I say.

"Hmm." Piper sighs. "Okay, fine. But I'm not staying for dessert and coffee."

"I'm making the reservation for eight at that place by the harbor," I say.

"Sure." There's a smile in Piper's voice. "Mal and Lacey sitting in a tree—"

Ethan chimes in. "F-U-C-K-I-N-G."

"Gross." Piper groans.