Read Online Loving Piper by Charlotte Lockheart - Free Book Online Page A

were great at taunting the stalwart environmentalists; their presence guaranteed impassioned and wild arguments.
    Blackberry lingered on his palate from the last round of tasting and he thought about the next gathering. Piper had seemed interested in expanding her “wine IQ.” She might agree to go with him. “No, I blew it,” he muttered aloud. “She’s probably afraid I’ll attack her.”
    He hadn’t seen much of Piper in this week after the spontaneous kiss. He wondered if she was avoiding him, and he didn’t blame her. What had he been thinking, what had gripped him so severely to behave so inappropriately? He didn’t go around grabbing women he barely knew. Sandra would be horrified, on his behalf. She would say, if he was going to kiss a woman, he should make it count or not attempt it at all. And now he was analyzing his error in judgment through his wife’s eyes. Just stay in the present moment, he reminded himself.
    Still his thoughts returned to Piper. He wanted to make amends. The wine tasting could be carefree, fun, but it would take some courage to ask her to the tasting. Was he asking her as a friend, something he’d already decided he couldn’t be? Or hinting that a relationship was possible…again, something that couldn’t be. There didn’t seem to be much else. His thinking felt messy. He grunted, his previous light mood now completely dissipated. He’d sleep on it.
     
    “Has he asked you out?”
    “Oh, Deirdre, he’s renting an apartment to me, not trolling through eHarmony. And he’s still in love with his wife—if you met him, you’d pick up on that right away. And he has Jennie to consider, and most of all he’s not look—”
    “You’re protesting too much, Piper.”
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake, I’m being realistic. Really, Dee, you don’t understand.”
    “I know when I hear a spark in your voice, and since you’ve been living there, you sound happier, your tone is different. And that’s with a house nearly in ruins and the issue of your prodigal daughter. But wait, before we go there, is little Jennie still knocking on your door?”
    “Yes, she’s my tiny faithful visitor, brings me presents, like some of the fluffy chicks she adores, a couple of storybooks. I love that kid.” Piper did love Jennie but wondered at all the attention the little girl paid her. She must be missing her mother.
    “Sounds like she loves you, too. What does Rob think about all this?”
    “That’s a good question. I have no idea. It’s usually the babysitter upstairs when Jennie visits, after I get back from school. I don’t think Rob gets home till about a quarter to six… usually.”
    “You seem quite knowledgeable about his schedule,” Deirdre teased.
    “You’re incorrigible. There is nothing going on. Even if he was interested—which he’s not—he’s not ready for a girlfriend. Plus, he’s got a pot belly.” Piper crossed her fingers behind her back as she visualized Rob’s fit, flat stomach. “And a hairline that’s receded to almost invisible…” In her mind now, Rob’s very full head of golden brown hair was predominant. “Let’s see, and did I mention the nasty overbite.” She tightened her fingers and grimaced, Rob’s wide smile that featured white and even teeth mocking her. She carried on quickly, not wanting to dwell on the lie. “And even if I was interested—which I’m not, because he’s nice but on the pedantic side of boring—”
    “Those things aren’t necessarily deal breakers, Piper.”
    “As I was saying, even if I was interested—which I’m not…well, I don’t know. I don’t think I’m good relationship material,” Piper said. There, surely Deirdre wouldn’t persist in the face of all those negatives.
    “Of course you are, darling, it’s just a matter of finding the right man, your version of Sam.”
    Piper sighed out loud. “I’m afraid you might have got the last good man, Dee. Anyhow, that’s not why I called you. I know