One Perfect Day

by Jennifer Youngblood

  “Maybe you should go to Piper’s house and demand that she talk to you.”

  “She’s not there, remember? She’s in San Francisco.” He couldn’t believe Piper would just up and leave without telling him.

  “According to Deidre.”

  Noah didn’t know what to think. Yesterday, everything clicked. He’d been on top of the world, and then everything imploded. At this point, he just wanted to get through the reception and hightail it back to Colorado. “If Piper doesn’t have the courtesy to even return my calls or texts then I can only assume that she wants nothing more to do with me.”

  “What did you say on the calls and texts?”

  “I told her that we need to talk and asked her to contact me.”

  Zoe nodded. “Okay, that was good. Maybe you should give her time.”

  “Time for what?” he asked dully.

  Zoe looked thoughtful. “Let’s say that Piper is engaged. The two of you met spontaneously. Maybe it threw her for a loop, and she’s trying to figure out what to do.”

  Noah wanted to laugh to keep from crying. “While I appreciate your optimism, I don’t think that’s the case.”

  Zoe frowned. “Was Piper wearing a ring?”

  “No, she wasn’t.”

  “Don’t you find that odd?”

  He threw up his hands. “I dunno. Maybe.”

  Zoe drummed her fingers on the countertop. “I can tell from the way Piper looked at you that she’s crazy about you.” She pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry, bro.” Her eyes filled with a deep sadness. “Maybe there is no such thing as happily ever after.”

  Noah knew she was talking about her relationship with Carl. He wished there were some comforting words to give her, but he was too low right now to do so. He stood, the heavy weight of the situation settling in his gut like concrete. “I’m turning in for the night. Where are the kids?”

  “In the basement, watching a movie.”

  He offered a smile. “Thanks for talking to me.”

  “You bet.” She searched his face. “Don’t give up hope. Hold to the certainty you felt yesterday. I have to believe that things will work out for the best.”

  He appreciated Zoe’s intentions, but her words had a hollow ring. “Thanks, sis,” he said glumly as he stood and left the room.

  8

  The next morning, as Piper stepped into the gallery, she was surprised to find Deidre waiting for her.

  “We need to have a long talk,” Deidre said.

  Piper was sure Deidre was going to rake her over the coals for showing the customers her photos, and then leaving work without an explanation. “Okay,” she said tonelessly, following Deidre to her office.

  Deidre sat down behind her desk. Before Piper could sit down, Deidre motioned. “Close the door.”

  Piper did as instructed, her mind going a hundred miles a minute. Would Deidre fire her? That would be par for the course. She clasped her hands together in her lap, waiting to see how this would play out.

  Deidre’s hands formed a steeple as she assessed Piper. “I know about you and Nolan.”

  Piper’s eyes bugged, her breath coming faster. “You do? H—how?” she sputtered.

  “He told me.”

  Piper’s mind reeled. “I don’t understand.” The wings of her heart flapped like a caged bird.

  Deidre let out a long sigh, pity coating her features. “The day I went to the airport to pick up Nolan. Well … the two of us had been fighting. Unbeknownst to me, he took an earlier flight.” She spread her hands. “I’m sorry to say this, but you were a distraction.”

  Piper’s chest squeezed. She went hot all over then stone cold. In that moment she hated Deidre Landin and Noah Romeo. “Is there a point to this?”

  Deidre sat back in her seat, a benign smile curving her lips. “Of course. You’re a good employee.”

  For a second, Piper thought she hadn’t heard Deidre correctly. “I beg your pardon.”

  “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I appreciate everything you do. You work hard, and it shows.”

  Piper was at a loss for words.

  “It’s about time you get the recognition you deserve.” She sat up and used her index finger to slide a paper across the desk.

  “What’s that?” Piper asked suspiciously.

  “An exclusive for The Landin Gallery to represent your work, starting in January and running for an entire year.”

  A startled laugh rattled Piper’s throat. “Are you serious?”

  “Yep.” Deidre gave Piper an appraising look. “Your photographs are good, and a promise is a promise. You’ll notice that I already signed it.”

  Piper reached for the paper and glanced over it. She turned it over to see Deidre’s signature.

  “After you sign it, we’ll go to the bank and get it notarized,” Deidre said.

  Piper’s brow furrowed. “What’s the catch?”

  “There’s no catch,” Deidre responded lightly. “I’ve been planning to do this for some time. After the thing with Nolan, I decided that now would be a good time. Do you need a few minutes to read over the contract before signing?”

  Piper raised an eyebrow. “I’ll need more than a few minutes.” She’d wanted this for so long and now? Now, it felt like some sort of twisted bribe. Piper was in no state to make any hard-fast decisions right now. Everything was happening too fast. “I can give you my answer by Monday.”

  Amusement flashed over Deidre’s features. She paused, studying Piper. “Okay, I’ll allow that, but if you wait longer than Monday, the deal is off.”

  Piper looked Deidre in the eye. “Why’re you being so understanding about Noah … err, Nolan? Doesn’t it bother you that I spent the day with your boyfriend … kissed him?”

  Fury flashed in Deidre’s eyes before a smile spread over her lips. “You had no idea who Nolan was. You’re the victim here.” Her voice hardened. “While I don’t excuse Nolan, I understand that he was just using you to get back at me.”

  Piper’s mind scrambled to keep up. “Are you saying that Nolan knew who I was?”

  Deidre laughed. “Of course. Why do you think he asked you to spend the day with him? He was trying to make me jealous.”

  Piper could feel an inferno of heat gathering in her face. Her upper lip curled. “If I were you, I’d think twice about being with a man who was so vindictive.” Noah was nothing like Piper thought. The entire day with him was a sham.

  “You’re right,” Deidre admitted. There was a slight tremble in her voice as she continued. “The problem is that I love him.”

  Piper wanted to vomit. “I hope it works out for you,” she said stiffly.

  “Thank you,” Deidre said with a gracious smile as she dabbed her eyes.

  Sensing the conversation was coming to a close, Piper stood.

  Deidre held up a finger. “One more thing.”

  Piper braced herself for whatever was coming.

  “I’m giving you today and tomorrow off with pay.” She smiled contritely. “It’s the least I can do for all the angst you’ve been through.”

  An incredulous laugh worked its way up Piper’s throat as she swallowed it back down. This whole thing was whacked! “What about the reception?”

  “No worries. I’ll get Gail Finley to fill your slot. You just enjoy your days off. You deserve it.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Her voice dribbled off as she paused. “I guess I’ll see you on Monday.”

  Deidre stood and held out her hand. “Here’s to the start of a great business relationship.”

  Piper paused a fraction of a second before reaching for Deidre’s hand. “I’ll let you know my decision on Monday,” she reiterated.

  “Sounds great. Merry Christmas,” Deidre called out as Piper left the office. Piper had just been handed her life’s dream on a silver platter. She should be overjoyed right now. Why did she get the feeling she’d just been played?

  Cori’s eyes bulged. “She offered you an exclusive?”
<
br />   “Yep, sure did.”

  Cori’s head swiveled back and forth. “And two days off?”

  “With pay,” Piper inserted.

  The two of them were sitting at the kitchen table in their house. Piper had been anxiously waiting all day for Cori to get off work and come home so she could deliver her news. Cori’s shocked expression came as no surprise. Piper was still flabbergasted about the whole thing too. She kept rolling it around in her head and ending up at the same place she started.

  A couple hours ago, Piper finally mustered up the courage to listen to the message Noah had left the evening before. It was short and to the point. All he said was, “We need to talk. Call me.” Hearing his voice had brought tears to her eyes and an ache to her heart. It was hard to believe that the same man speaking was the jerk face who’d used her. Her mind just couldn’t merge the two.

  She looked at Cori. “What’s your opinion about all of this?” Piper had finally come to the conclusion that this was too much for her to handle on her own. She needed Cori’s perspective.

  Cori’s mouth worked as she tipped her head thoughtfully. “Well, the first thought that comes to mind is that Deidre’s paying you off.”

  An invisible string laced Piper’s insides up tight. “Yeah, I got that feeling too.” She made a face. “But paying me off for what?”

  Cori gave her an astute look. “So that you’ll stay out of her way.”

  Piper nibbled at her lower lip. “I’ve thought about that, but Noah obviously told her that he spent the day with me. Otherwise, how would Deidre know?”

  “Maybe Noah broke up with her because he met you.”

  It was crazy how fast hope sprouted in Piper’s breast. She squashed it flat before it could take root. “But I saw them kissing. He brought her flowers.” Hurt washed over her.

  Cori spread her hands. “From what Scotty described, the two of you were in the back, watching from a distance. Is it possible that you could’ve misread the situation?”

  Piper ran the scenario through her mind. She’d been so shocked, so stunned. At this point, it was hard to say which sections of the puzzle Piper actually saw and which sections her beleaguered brain had filled in. “I don’t know,” she lamented, pulling her fingers through her hair. Earlier, after Piper’s tears had run dry, she’d found herself on her knees praying for clarity and direction, and she was still as confused as ever.

  “This is Deidre Landin we’re talking about.” Cori leaned forward. “You’ve been concerned that Deidre would cheat you out of the reception she promised, and now she’s giving you an exclusive? The whole thing’s fishy. Deidre doesn’t want you to go to that reception, because she doesn’t want you to talk to Noah.”

  “I have no desire to talk to Noah Romeo,” Piper spouted.

  Cori arched an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”

  “Of course, I’m sure,” she said hotly. “He’s a cheating jerk. He and Deidre deserve each other.” She balled her fist. “I should be thanking him. Because of his antics, Deidre’s giving me an exclusive. Once my work gets out to the masses, I can write my own ticket.” Her voice trembled with intensity. “I’ve worked so hard for this. We should be celebrating right now,” she finished irritably.

  “And yet, we’re not,” Cori said sagely. She searched Piper’s face. “You’re crazy about Noah.”

  A lump formed in Piper’s throat. “I hate his rotten guts,” she said vehemently.

  Cori chuckled. “I rest my case.”

  Tears gathered in Piper’s eyes. “Regardless of Deidre’s motivation. She’s giving me a chance to make something out of my career!” She clenched her teeth. “If I turn the deal down, I won’t get another opportunity like this. My career’s important to me. Is that so wrong?” She glared at Cori, daring her to disagree.

  Cori didn’t flinch. “If you let Noah Romeo walk out of your life without a fight, you’ll end up alone and miserable like my father.” She blew out a breath. “He put his life blood into his business, neglecting my mother and us kids.” Her voice hitched. “Do you know what he told me on his birthday last month?”

  Piper shook her head no.

  Cori’s eyes misted. “He said that he would give anything to be able to go back and do things differently.” Regret shadowed her features. “Unfortunately, it’s too late. Mom has moved on and remarried.” Her expression grew pleading. “Don’t let that happen to you.”

  Piper huffed out a humorless laugh. “Noah and I had one perfect day together.” Anger kneaded her insides. “And surprise, surprise, it turns out it wasn’t so perfect after all.” She swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat.

  “You owe it to yourself and to Noah to go to that reception and confront him.”

  Piper’s eyebrows shot up. “Why? So I can call him a lowdown, cheating slime ball to his face? No, thank you,” she said tartly. “I think I’ll take door number two—sign my exclusive and ride off into the sunset.”

  Cori sat back and folded her arms over her chest. “Okay, if that’s your decision.” She paused, eyeing Piper. “I just hope you can live with that.”

  “Yep, I can.” She could tell from the doubtful look on Cori’s face that she didn’t believe a word. Heck, Piper didn’t even believe it. She groaned. “I’m a disaster!” Piper had been absolutely miserable all day. Didn’t that speak volumes? It had come as a revelation to her that as much as she wanted her career, there was one thing she wanted more.

  “If I were a betting girl, I’d say that Deidre is lying. Think about it. She offers you an exclusive and two days’ pay to get you out of the picture. If she weren’t threatened by you, she wouldn’t do that. If she and Noah were truly an item, Deidre would be fighting mad that he cheated on her with another woman.” Cori’s eyebrow shot up. “And, considering that woman is you …” she tsked her tongue “… well, you would be Public Enemy Number One, and Deidre would have shown you the door faster than you can blink.”

  The words came at Piper like a shaft of sunlight splitting leaden clouds. “You’re right!” Why hadn’t she thought of it that way? Her heart pumped faster. Piper had known something was off today during the meeting. She was just too distraught to figure out what. Cori was right. Deidre was not an understanding person by any stretch of the imagination. Something else came to her mind. “Scotty overheard Deidre on the phone talking to one of her friends. Deidre said she’d fight for Nolan to the bitter end.”

  “Sounds like that’s exactly what Deidre’s doing.” Cori’s lips pressed into taut lines.

  Piper’s brows bunched. “It ticks me off how people like Deidre can do so many terrible things and come out unscathed.”

  “It’s called life,” Cori said dryly.

  Piper squared her jaw. “It’s still not fair.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Cori agreed, a glum silence settling between them. Cori stroked her chin. “What if there was a way to expose Deidre for what she is?”

  Piper’s insides perked with interest. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not exactly sure yet. Let me think about it a little more, maybe get some input from Scotty. We’ll see what we can come up with. In the meantime, you need to focus on getting your man back.” Cori reached across the table and placed her hand over Piper’s, squeezing it.

  Piper cleared the frog in her throat. “Do you really think Noah cares about me?”

  Cori smiled, removing her hand. “Yeah, I do. That’s how this whole thing looks to me.”

  Piper’s heart seesawed up. Oh, how she wanted to believe that! She frowned, misgivings tugging at her stomach. “What if you’re wrong? I could lose the deal of a lifetime.”

  “What if I’m right? You could lose the potential love of a lifetime.”

  The air stilled as Piper contemplated the question. “You think I should go to the reception and confront Noah.”

  “Yes.”

  Piper’s fingers tapped a fast beat against the table. Even as she contemplated what she would do, her heart alr
eady knew that her path was set. She had to go and see this through. She had to see Noah again, talk to him face to face. That was the only way she was going to get any peace. “Okay, I’ll go.” The minute the words left her mouth, Piper felt a swell of relief as the darkness inside her dissipated a fraction.

  “Woohoo!” Cori shouted, springing from her chair. She did a victory dance around the kitchen. “We are going to the reception tomorrow night,” she sang. A couple seconds later, she touched her finger to her lips, giving Piper a calculated look. “The first order of business is to find you something spectacular to wear.”

  Piper frowned. “How about my black dress?” It was her standby … the one she wore to all of the receptions.

  “Oh, no.” Cori’s head swiveled back and forth. “That won’t do.” She pursed her lips, studying Piper as if she were a statue … or mannequin that Cori was about to dress up. “I’ll take off work tomorrow. We’ll go to Salt Lake City. You remember my friend Lois Myers? She works at a formalwear boutique. I’m sure she can find us something.” Her eyes sparkled. “By the time I’m finished with you, Noah won’t be able to resist you.”

  Excitement simmered through Piper’s veins. “Let’s do it!” A warm feeling of peace flooded through her, bringing with it a feeling of resolve. She’d made her decision. For better or worse, there was no turning back.

  9

  Piper sucked in a breath trying to calm her nerves, which were jarring her insides like an earthquake.

  Cori caught her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You’ve got this!” A sassy smirk twitched her lips. “Remember to stand up straight, hold your stomach in, and show ‘em that Piper Kell is a force to be reckoned with.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Piper said tartly as she grinned a little. She knew what Cori was doing—teasing to put her at ease. It was working … somewhat. Ever since they’d left the house, Piper kept repeating the same prayer over and over. Please, help me to be bold and say everything that needs to be said. And, please help me find a way back to Noah! Piper had felt it today—the calm stirring in her soul that she was doing the right thing. Her brain argued that it was madness to throw away the deal of a lifetime on the gamble that a man she’d spent a single day with felt the same way about her as she did him. However, her gut feelings argued otherwise.