What, no date tonight?
Women flocked to Josh in droves. With his long lean build, square jaw, lionlike green-gold eyes and thick hair the color of rich chocolate, he was easily the best-looking man in the apartment complex. Maybe the zip code. Or the state.
Dating can be exhausting. He leaned casually against the doorjamb, his posture matching his informal attire of a faded Astros shirt and jeans going threadbare at the knees. Sometimes a guy just needs a little peace and quiet.
So why not enjoy dinner alone in your apartment? Piper asked.
It was what shed planned to do. If she had any groceries. Shed been working so many late nights that shed once again neglected shopping. Other women in her family were prizewinning cooks; Piper barely remembered to keep her fridge stocked.
Being with you is even better, Josh said. I dont have to be by myself, but I dont have to be on, either. Besides, he added sheepishly, I burned the nice dinner I was supposed to be having alone in my apartment right now.
She laughed. Let me grab my purse and put my shoes back on. As she turned, she patted her French braid to make sure it was still presentable. A few strands fell around her face, but all in all, the braid had survived the day intact.
Good thing she hadnt yet changed from her tailored blue pantsuit into her comfy sweats. Josh probably wouldnt think anything of going out in public wearing a sweatsuit, but the casual look worked for him. For instance, Joshs hair always looked as though it had just outgrown that popular short and gelled style that was slightly spiky on top. Though it was still short, his hair was pleasantly rumpled with no trace of gel. Undeniably handsome when he dressed up for work or an occasionally formal date, he was somehow even more appealing in the rugged laid-back uniform of worn jeans and T-shirts.
The injustice of life. Piper in her oldest jeans was grunge personified, whereas Josh effortlessly resembled a females fantasy come to life in any clothes. Probably looks even more like a walking fantasy in no clothes at all.
She blinked. Thoughts like that were trouble she didnt need, she reminded herself, sliding her feet into a pair of high-heeled navy slingbacks. The shoes were arguably the most feminine part of her wardrobe, but at barely five foot three, shed take all the help she could get. Especially next to Joshs six foot one.
Grabbing her apartment keys off the coffee table, she stole a look at her tall, platonic friend. Emphasis on the platonic. She was perfectly happy without a guy in her life, and shed watched Josh back away from enough relationships to know he didnt want a woman in his life. Not long-term, anyway.
And short-terms out of the question. Maybe hot flings with no future worked for some people, but the one impulsive time Piper had flung, shed found the experience to be more embarrassing than pleasurable. She couldnt begin to fathom how awkward it would be if she constantly saw the flingee at the office.
Shoes on her feet, purse in her hand and lustful thoughts relegated to the dark mental cellar where they belonged, she strolled back to where Josh was waiting. All set.
Once theyd reached the apartments parking garage, she turned to ask, Whos driving? But she didnt know why she bothered.
Hed already pulled out his keys and was striding toward his two-door sports car.
Its just as well, she admitted. I got another ticket today.
Speeding again? He shook his head. I dont know how you manage to even get up to the speed limit with traffic as bad as it is, much less exceed it. Do the other cars just magically part for you?
She climbed into the passenger side. Hey, youre supposed to be sympathetic about my bad day.
Thats right. You said it was horrible. His low voice was full of teasing mischief as he turned the key in the ignition. There are ways I could help take your mind off your troubles, sweetheart. You just say the word.
Pipers breath caught, a quiver of expectation in her abdomen. Joshs flirting was nothing newit was his default modebut tonight, after her earlier wayward thoughts, there was a split second where she forgot that he meant nothing by it.
Then he spoke again, his tone genuinely sympathetic. Kagle being a chauvinistic creep?
Although Stanley Kagle was too business-savvy to do or say anything overt she could formally complain about, his attitude was a constant reminder that she was the youngest and shortest on the drafting team. And the only one with ovaries, which he apparently viewed as some sort of handicap. Thank God for Callahan and Munroe to counter his presence, or she might actually have to brave the job market.
Piper sighed. No, its not one of our bosses making me crazy, its one of our colleagues. If Smith doesnt get me those dimensions for the Fuqua building, my blueprints will be late, and you know who Kagle will blame. Then, of course, the traffic ticket on my way home today. And on top of everything, my mother called and
Shed been about to say that her mother was driving her nuts, but it seemed insensitive to complain. At least she had a mom. Joshs mother and father had both been killed in a car accident when he was very young. He didnt discuss his past much, but Piper knew it involved a lot of foster homes and very little stability.
Grazzios okay with you? Joshs rhetorical question was an unnecessary formality. Even as he asked, he was steering his car into the parking lot of their favorite pizzeria.
They ate here an average of five times a month. On nice days, it was close enough to walk the few blocks between Grazzios and their apartment complex, but on this rainy October night, she was glad for the warm shelter of the car. They hurried through the falling rain to the restaurant, where Josh held the door open for her.
Inside, the leggy brunette hostess greeted them by name, with a special smile for Josh. Hey, handsome, when are we going out again?
Josh winked at the woman hed taken on a couple of dates back in August. Ah, Nancy, Id like nothing more than to sweep you off your feet here and now. But you know George from the sports bar is crazy in love with you. I just cant break the poor guys heart like that.
The hostess shook her head, laughing. Well, if you change your mind about being noble, you have my number.
Piper thought Nancy would be wise to give up on Josh and give George, the bartender at Touchdown, a call. All over Houston, from the corner sports bar to the Astros stadium, Piper and Josh ran into women who had briefly been part of his life and wanted to repeat the experience. Piper had been on the receiving end of more than a few envious glares from women, who, unlike Nancy, didnt know Piper had no interest in dating.
Her last relationship, the only one worth counting since Charlie, had ended when her boyfriend gently complained that her work was more of a priority than he was. She suspected that his intent had been for her to change that, but shed encouraged him to find someone who would focus on him the way he deserved.
Piper and Josh were shown to an elevated booth with blue padded seats, and she stepped up to slide in across from him. An olive-skinned waiter with a mustache and faint accent took their drink orders and left them with a basket of warm bread. The buttery smell reminded her of her mothers kitchen, where something was always baking, and the upcoming weekend. Piper should be thinking of a way to get out of her impulsive lie, but the more she considered it, the more she liked the idea of a human buffer between her and Charlie. Piper knew from her sister that Charlie had most recently dated the town librarian, but hed broken things off a few months ago, apparently deciding he wanted a more outspoken woman. Specifically Piper, the outspoken woman he hadnt valued enough when hed been with her.
On her last birthday, hed sent her jewelry that was too expensive to be justified by their growing up together. Shed returned the gift, but hed still called her a few weeks later to let her know he was going to be in Houston. Shed told him truthfully that she was too busy trying to meet a project deadline to meet him for dinner and had hoped the reminder of her nontraditional priorities would dissuade him. If it hadnt, she could be in for a very long weekend.
Josh grabbed a roll. Im starving.
Lost in her own troubles, she barely heard him. She needed to be ready for her family, and she could think of only one way to do that. Josh, I need a man.
2
PIPERS DECLARATION was met with immediate choking on Joshs part. It wasnt often she had the satisfaction of catching him so off guard. Quite the contrary, he normally delighted in shocking her.
He recovered quickly, his grin suggestive. Why didnt you say so back at your place? Forget the pizza, we
She laughed. Thats not what I was talking about.
Having decided that balancing the irritation of dating with her more important career wasnt worth the time and effort, Piper was pretty much living a life of celibacy. Joshs full knowledge of that was probably why he felt safe enough to flirt with her in the first place. No way would he ever actually go out with her. From what shed observed, he liked to keep women at a certain distance, and he and Piper had passed that point already.
Though she admired plenty of things about Josh, his love life tended toward thewell, shallow seemed unkind, but the truth was some of his relationships made mud puddles look deep by comparison. Interestingly few of his dates complained, so Piper supposed it was none of her business. Josh didnt lecture her on her non-dating habits, and she didnt lecture him on the fact that he had the staying power of aActually, from the way ex-lovers swooned when they saw him, Piper suspected he had very impressive staying power.
She gulped down some water. You know Im going out of town for a few days, right?
Yeah. A family reunion. He smiled. See? I listen.
Well, I need a guy to go with me. She exhaled a gusty sigh that ruffled her bangs. I sort of let my mother think I was dating someone, and shes expecting me to bring him home.
His expression turned blank, his mind obviously blown at trying to imagine Piper with a man in her life. But you arent seeing anyone.
Thank you, Columbo. Nothing gets by you, does it?
Hey, watch the sarcasm, he said as the waiter returned. Youll give me indigestion.
Ready to order? the waiter asked.
Piper and Josh exchanged guilty glances. Her need a man statement had distracted both of them from even opening their menus. As the waiter stood by, they debated what kind of pizza to get.
We can split it, Josh proposed. Get half of the pizza made one way and something different on the other half.
No deal, Weber. Last time we did that, you tried the Jamaican chicken pizza, didnt like it and ate all of my half. Besides, I might just get pasta.
Pasta? Josh echoed. Come on, this is the best pizzeria in Houston. Youre going to come here and not get pizza? That makes as much sense asyou having a love life.
The impatient waiter clearing his throat stopped her from snapping a comeback.
Perhaps I return in a few minutes? the man offered.
Glancing from his menu to Piper, Josh said, I know how much you like the Sicilian specialty. Want to just get that?
Piper nodded, and the waiter shuffled off, appeased.
Josh immediately returned to the subject of her faux love life. I dont get it. What made you lie to your mom? You never lie. Having witnessed you turn away persistent men at Touchdown, I would even say that youre sometimes painfully honest.
Lowering her gaze to the red-and-white checkered tablecloth, she mumbled, I didnt set out to lie, exactly. I just exaggerated.
Piper, when was the last time you had a date?
Okay, fine, I lied. I had to get off the phone! She called to remind me that Im the unmarried shame of the family, and I cracked. I told her I had to run because I was meeting someone for dinner.
And based on a supposed dinner date, shes now booking a church and auditioning caterers.
For a guy whos never met my mother, you have a very clear understanding of her.
You paint a vivid picture.
Piper bit her lower lip. I have a real problem here.
Nah, this isnt serious. A problem was Michelle. I cant believe she honestly expected me to remember her cats birthday. And stalking me for two weeks like that after the breakup
Maybe if you took the time to get to know some of these women before you went out with them, youd pick up on little things like personality disorders. Piper hadnt meant to sound so snippy, but it annoyed her sometimes to watch Josh waste himself on a string of superficial relationships. Didnt he realize he had more to offer than that?
Piper, people go out in order to get to know each other, and Im not sure I want dating advice from a girl who hasnt been on one since the Nixon administration.
Ha-ha. As if my family encouraged me to date as an infant. Though they probably would have if theyd known then how difficult it would be to marry her off.
What I was saying, he continued, is that I dont see why this is a serious problem. Let your mom think whatever she wants. Tell them he couldnt make it this weekend. Or that you broke up with the guy. Problem solved.
If only it were that easy. I would, but Mom said it would really benefit Nana to see me with she groaned inwardly, a good man.
His gaze locked with hers. How is your grandmother?
Hanging in there, butapparently not doing so well. She swallowed. Last time we spoke, I argued with her. She was giving me more well-meaning advice on how to live my life, and I told her I was an adult and didnt need or want her interference. I shouldnt have said that.
Josh reached his hand across the table, and it hovered over hers. At the last minute he grabbed the bread basket as though that had been his intention all along.
She wasnt surprised that he shied away. Typical Josh. Weird that he dated and kissed and she-didnt-want-to-know-what-else with so many women, yet simple touches made him uncomfortable. Piper had grown up in a hug-oriented family herself, but she tried to respect the personal perimeter he maintained.
Though she had no trouble telling Josh about the familial reasons for needing a stand-in date, Piper didnt mention Charlie. Josh knew that shed once dated Rebeccas current mayor, but Piper had downplayed the seriousness of the relationship. She was embarrassed that she, a modern independent woman, had been slowly altering everything from her work schedule to the way she wore her hair. It wasnt something she liked to think about, let alone discuss.
So. Josh cleared his throat. Youre really going to take some guy home with you?
If I can find one, she said as the waiter approached. He set their pizza on the table, and Josh distributed the first cheesy slices. They ate in silence, mulling over her situation. At least, she was mulling. For all she knew, Josh was checking out a cute waitress.