by Toni Aleo
“A valet for a cupcakery?”
“I think it’s only for tonight.”
Erik laughed as he got out and handed over his keys. Piper thought maybe her husband would open the door for her, but no, he stood there waiting for her when the valet rushed over to open her door. He kindly extended his arm for her to balance as she shifted her extra weight to get out of the car.
Walking over to where he stood, Piper could not hold back a huff of annoyance.
Erik looked surprised at her reaction. “What’s your problem? My car did nothing to you.”
“No, it didn’t, but you did,” she said, and with one more glare began walking to the entrance of the building.
When his fingers wrapped around her arm, she turned back to glare at him some more.
“What did I do?”
“I have like twenty extra pounds on me, your car is low, and it’s hard for me to get out. The least you can do is help me, but no, thank God for the valet; at least he’s a gentleman, paid or not,” she spat out.
Erik looked confused as he shook his head.
“You’re mad because I didn’t help you out of the car, when there’s a valet here to do just that?”
“Yes, you should want to help me, regardless.”
He blinked twice and then shook his head.
“Okay, I’m going to let this one go and say sorry, okay? I didn’t know I had to be a mind reader and know when you need help.”
Piper’s eyes narrowed and she turned on her heel, making her way into the cupcakery despite Erik calling out her name. He infuriated her. Didn’t his dad teach him to open doors for women? Help them out of the car? She had seen Jakob do it for Harper countless times. Did Erik miss that growing up? Not only was it the gentlemanly thing to do, but she was pregnant! With his darn child! Open the damn door and help me out! she thought. Was that too much to ask for? Ah, she wanted to ring his neck.
Shaking her head, she entered the cupcakery and noticed that Erik was right behind her. When she felt his hand on her lower back, she had to fight the chills that wanted to rush down her spine. She would not let this man affect her. But when his fingers danced along her bare back, and rested under the strap that held the dress together, she felt like putty as she glanced up at him.
His eyes were soft and a small smile was on his lips.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
She blinked twice and felt her madness subside a little.
“I’ve never had to do this before. Usually girls don’t matter.”
Yup, she was a pushover because her anger fled right out the window. In so many words, he was saying she mattered, and that had her on cloud nine.
Trying to act like his words didn’t affect her, she muttered, “Okay, just please help me out next time. Your car is superlow.”
“No problem,” he said, his mouth curving in a sexy little smile. “You are a firecracker, you know that?” he added.
Piper smiled shyly.
“It’s gotten worse since I got pregnant. I’m usually such a levelheaded person.”
Trying to push her frustration away, Piper took a moment to scope out the store. OMG, this was so Audrey—the whole place was doused in glitter and bright colors. The shop’s name, Audrey Jane’s, was visible everywhere. Big pictures featuring different types of cupcakes were hung throughout the store, giving it an artsy look. Large chandeliers full of glitter hung from the ceiling over each of the tables; they were decorated with sparkly fringe, adding to the unique ambience. At the front of the store by the checkout counter was a large picture of Audrey and Tate, which hung right below the stores’ name. On each side of their picture were two other large photos, one of Audrey and her sister’s family, and the other a picture of Audrey and Piper, grinning like two kids.
Erik smiled and looked as though he was about to say something when someone screeched, “Piper!”
Piper knew it was Audrey even before she turned to see her best friend looking gorgeous and hugely pregnant. Audrey wore her curly hair up tonight along with a bright pink headband. Her makeup was colorful with bright pinks and blues. Her dress was the eye-catcher, though; it was a strapless, bright sparkly pink tutu style with blue swirls all over it. Looking nine months pregnant instead of just six, Audrey balanced herself on a pair of bright pink studded high heels. She matched her store, all bright and glittery.
Piper smiled brightly as she was wrapped into a tight hug from her friend. When their bellies pressed together, they both parted, laughing.
“Oh my God! It’s really there!” Audrey gushed, pressing her hands against Piper’s belly. Piper did the same to her, and they grinned up at each other.
“I know right?! Gosh, Audrey! Are you having twins?”
Audrey laughed as she shook her head.
“Nah, but I’m pretty sure I am competing for the biggest baby ever. I mean sheesh, look at my fiancé, he is a giant.”
Piper laughed as Tate smiled at her from behind Audrey, and she reached around to hug him tightly. She had always cared for Tate. He was a handsome guy with blond hair and bright blue eyes, and just shy of seven feet in height. Like Piper, he sported a gap between his front teeth as well, and that alone made her love him.
“You look stunning, Piper,” he said in a thick Swedish accent.
His English wasn’t perfect but it had improved since the first time Piper had met him. “Thank you, Tate. I think you’re having a mini giant,” Piper giggled, pointing to Audrey’s belly.
Audrey smiled up at him as he leaned down to kiss her softly.
“Yeah, we are really lucky.”
Piper had to fight back the tears because it was true. They almost lost their baby when Audrey was attacked by her ex. It was a blessing to see them so happy. Pushing away a tinge of jealousy, she was very happy that things worked out for them. She couldn’t help but envy Audrey, who would have the support of her husband, while Piper would rely solely on herself and maybe her family for help.
“Well, I think you are gorgeous, Audrey,” Erik said from behind Piper, before he leaned over to kiss Audrey’s cheek.
Audrey blushed as Tate’s arm tightened around her waist.
“Thank you, Erik.”
Audrey’s smile brightened as Erik did the same, wrapping Piper up in his arm. Piper glanced up at him and smiled softly before looking back at her best friend.
“I just can’t believe it!” Audrey gushed, looking between Piper and Erik.
“Believe what?”
“That y’all are married, having a baby, and happy. I mean it’s crazy! How long have you been dating?” Audrey asked quickly. “I mean I know I’ve been out of commission, but how did I miss this? I know you’ve loved him for, like, ever but I thought he didn’t feel the same. And maybe I shouldn’t have said that … pregnancy-brain, sorry!”
Piper bit her lip, hating that Audrey had let it slip that she had been in love with Erik for a long time. Erik did not need to know that, so rather than acknowledge that statement Piper said, “No, we haven’t been dating at all. I told him I was pregnant; he freaked, left, came back, and asked me to marry him. I said yes.”
“Wow, just like that?” Audrey asked, a little shocked.
Piper shrugged her shoulders. “When you know, you know.”
Audrey smiled sweetly up at Tate. “You’re right. I’m so happy for you! What are you having? You never told me.”
“We don’t know yet,” Piper said with a grin. “I made the appointment the other day. We’ll know in a couple of weeks.”
“Why haven’t you found out yet?” she asked. “I found out as soon as I could.”
Piper smiled sweetly. “I wanted to wait for Erik.”
She felt his fingers tighten on the spot below her armpit and she glanced up at him to see him looking at her with a weird look on his face. Was she not supposed to say that?
“Aw! That’s so freaking sweet! Hopefully it’s a girl so that she and Penelope can be best friends! Like we are!”
Piper giggled nervously, because having a girl would be a lot of work and there would probably be daddy issues, with not having a father around.
Sigh. “Yeah, that would be awesome.”
Out the corner of her eye, she noticed that Audrey’s sister, Fallon, and her husband, Lucas Brooks, were walking toward them. Fallon looked spectacular, pregnant and very happy. She was surprised when she found out Fallon was pregnant. The last time she saw her was when Audrey was in the hospital and she had apparently kept it a secret at the time. Fallon and Lucas had gone through a lot in their relationship, too. Time had healed old wounds and allowed each to mature, but seeing them together now there was no doubt theirs was a marriage meant to last.
And what a man to start and end with. If there was one man other than Erik who could make Piper trip over her own two feet, it was Lucas. He was beyond sexy, with tattoos covering every inch of him, dark hair, and those gray eyes that could make any girl swoon. He was sex on legs, but he had eyes only for Fallon, and even though it was a losing battle, Piper had eyes only for Erik.
Fallon stopped beside Audrey and gave her a big kiss on her cheek.
“The place is amazing; you did good, sis.”
Audrey’s smile grew as her cheeks reddened. “Thanks! It was a lot of work, but everyone has been great.”
“Aw, we all are always here for you,” Fallon gushed.
“Yup, don’t forget that,” Lucas said, kissing Audrey’s temple.
“Piper! Is the rumor true?” Fallon asked with a grin on her face.
Piper smiled, placing her hands on her belly.
“That I’m knocked up by this guy and that we are married? Yes, crazy kids, I know.”
Everyone laughed as Lucas shook his head.
“It is awesome knowing that there is a girl out there who could knock Erik Titov off his rocker. Congratulations, guys,” Lucas said, toasting his glass to them.
Everyone did the same as Erik laughed, bringing Piper closer to him.
“I don’t know about off my rocker, but she does rock my world.”
Everyone smiled as Piper rolled her eyes with a plastic grin on her face. A part of her wanted to run into the nearest bathroom and cry, because she hated to lie to the people she loved. They all seemed to be happy for them. Little did they know this relationship was one-sided and Piper needed to remember that. She needed to quit thinking of the possibility of Erik changing and falling in love with her; it wasn’t going to happen.
Looking down at where his hand rested on her waist, near their unborn child, she began to feel aggravated … this didn’t matter to him, none of it, and she wanted to swat his hand and walk away. This wasn’t fair, and when she glanced up at him, it must have been written all over her face, because he knew something was wrong. He moved a piece of hair that had gotten stuck on her lip gloss and smiled.
“You okay?”
She blinked and felt her eyes flood with tears. God, she hated her stupid emotions. One minute she was head over heels for him, another she wanted to kill him, but now she just wanted him to hold her, and tell her there was a chance he could love her. Why did she have to go through this while being pregnant? If she wasn’t pregnant, she would have a level head, her hormones wouldn’t be all out of whack, and she wouldn’t think with her heart so much.
“I think I need a drink and a Gummy Bear cupcake.”
“Okay,” he said, and was about to lead her away, when Fallon stopped him.
“Hold on, I want a picture of us three with our bellies!”
Piper watched as Fallon pulled her phone out and handed it to Lucas. Taking hold of Piper’s arm, she brought her close while Audrey hugged Fallon’s other side. Piper looked up at the camera and smiled brightly as the picture was taken. Fallon reached for the phone and Piper smiled as she looked at their photo, their bright faces and growing bellies.
“We are to-die-for cute!” Fallon gushed.
“We sure are.” Audrey laughed.
“I love it. Can you send it to me?” Piper asked.
“Sure!”
Piper waited until her phone dinged with the picture and was about to walk away when she noticed that Shea and Elli were making their way toward them. Turning to see if Erik saw them coming, she noticed that Jakob and Harper had arrived at the party, too.
Jeez, could she get a break?
Erik glanced over at her and took her hand in his, bringing her to him. He leaned down, his lips along her jawbone, his beard tickling her cheek as he whispered, “You want me to go get you a drink?”
She shook her head and said, “Elli is coming over here.”
She felt his face move and when she looked up at him, he was looking toward where Elli had stopped to talk to someone else. It was so weird not seeing Elli pregnant anymore. Piper had always thought Elli had a gorgeous figure pregnant or not. Even after four kids, she was still stunning in a long black dress that sparkled in the light. Her hair curled across her shoulders and she looked like a million bucks. Beside her was her handsome husband.
When Piper glanced back up at Erik, he was looking down at her and asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I can go get it.”
Erik shook his head. “Don’t leave me with all these people.”
She laughed as he gave her a small smile. “They are your friends.”
“Yeah, but it’s weird, they are looking at me like I’m an alien.”
Piper let out a snort as she shook her head. “It’s all in your head.”
“No, really, I feel weird.”
Piper rolled her eyes. “And I help you not feel weird?”
Erik paused and shrugged his shoulders. “I feel normal when you are around.”
Piper raised an eyebrow and said, “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not, but for your sake, I’m gonna take it as one.”
Erik’s eyes darkened, causing all kinds of butterflies to flutter in her belly as he whispered, “If you want a compliment, I’ll give you one. You are looking really hot tonight.”
Well, that stunned her, and with wide eyes she whispered, “Thank you.”
When Piper felt an arm go around her middle, it broke the intense gaze they were sharing, and Piper looked over to see Elli smiling at her.
“Well I must say, y’all are mighty cute together.”
Piper smiled up at Erik as he glanced down at her, causing her heart to skip a beat. He looked as if he was going to kiss her. A big lusty kiss on the lips, maybe a little tongue, and when he leaned down toward her, Piper’s eyes drifted shut just as his lips pressed against the spot between her nose and cheek.
“Aw! You two are so stinkin’ cute!” Audrey gushed.
Disappointment filled her as she opened her eyes to find that Erik’s lips still lingered by her nose. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. She wanted to be completely taken by him. But she needed to remember, this was strictly to protect his career. He was acting.
Blinking, she remembered that she had to act, too, so she muttered, “He is kinda cute, isn’t he?”
Erik’s face broke out in a grin.
“I was going to say the same thing about you.”
Everyone laughed, genuinely happy for them.
Only she knew Erik’s laugh was nothing but a lie.
* * *
Something was wrong.
Erik didn’t understand why he cared so much when something was wrong with Piper, but he did. He knew something had changed when they were surrounded by all their friends and family. It was after he kissed her nose, and then something happened. She went weird after that. When he touched her, it seemed like she wanted to pull away. When he would kiss her cheek or temple, he swore she would tense up. He knew it had nothing to do with the car thing. He had apologized and had every intention of correcting that problem, so what the hell did he do wrong?
This was all really beginning to confuse him. Right now he had no clue where his life was going to lead, and it was all because of Piper. Standing on
ly a few feet away from him, she was talking to Audrey about childbirth classes or something, and for some freaking reason, his eyes could not leave the little space between her armpit and rib cage. The dress she wore gave him a perfect view of the delectable little spot, and he loved how there was a bright red blossom on the branch that ran under her breast. He knew that the branch went that far because he had followed his tongue along that part of her tattoo. Why did he care about that spot? Why did he want to run his tongue along that branch again? Was it all sexual? Lust? Or what? He didn’t understand it at all, because sometimes it wasn’t about the sex.
Sometimes he wanted to ask her questions. He wanted to know if she wanted a boy or a girl. He wanted to know about her job. It blew his mind, and he didn’t understand his feelings, because even with the fact that he wanted to strip that dress off her and have his way with her, he also wanted to know if she had been dating anyone before him, and if she had ever loved them.
Why?
She would be gone sooner than later, and wasn’t he, not even an hour ago, wishing he was in bed with another woman? He wanted anything, anything that would get his mind off Piper. She was driving him insane and he didn’t know how to handle it. He didn’t know what that meant, and he didn’t know where that would lead. To top things off, he couldn’t go to his brother, or Cooper, the two people he confided in for help. He had to keep this to himself, deal with his fucked-up feelings all on his own.
He also wanted to know if what Audrey had said earlier was true.
I know you’ve loved him for, like, ever but I thought he didn’t feel the same.
What the hell was that about? Love him? Piper didn’t love him, she hated him. He was a dick. He had left her. Why would anyone love someone after that? Erik was the last person that Piper would ever love. Yes, he knew she cared about him. If she didn’t she wouldn’t be helping him like she was. But there was no way she loved him. People don’t love people for the hell of it; there has to be a reason, and there was no reason for her to love him. Not even a baby could make one of them love the other. That was insane, crazy talk.
“I hate cupcakes,” Phillip stated as he walked up to where Erik was standing.
