Caution

by Tara Mills

  “Piper.” He spoke softly, barely a whisper yet it stilled her shaking hands.

  The last thing she wanted to do at that moment was look at him, knowing how he pulled at her, but she couldn’t help it.

  He gave her a long, penetrating look. “Do you honestly believe you don’t want me?”

  Why did he have to ask that? For an instant she could have sworn she saw a flash of vulnerability in his eyes, an echo of her own. Then it was gone.

  Piper was never comfortable lying so she chose to be evasive instead. “Whether I do or I don’t isn’t the issue. I don’t want to complicate things between us.”

  Chad pressed on. “Why?”

  She scowled and picked up another napkin. “You know why. I’ve already told you that I don’t want to get serious about anyone right now. You’re a gor — ” The word gorgeous almost slipped out. “Good-looking man. There must be a lot of women who would kill to have you pursue them.”

  “What if I’d rather chase you?”

  Piper expelled a deep, exasperated breath. “Chad, I like you. I really like you and the last thing I want to do is hurt you or your kids. Can’t you see that? I’m not ready for more and I can’t say when I will be.” She threw back her head and squeezed her eyes shut tight. “Maybe I’m expecting too much from you. You’re in a different place than I am and it isn’t fair to you. I should probably just go. This was a mistake.”

  They stood up at the same time.

  “Don’t,” he said, laying his hand on her arm for one brief moment.

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t go. You’re right, you did clarify everything for me and I owe you an apology for getting carried away tonight.” He attempted to reassure her with a smile. “Blame it on seeing you in a bathing suit again and then coming back here to an empty house.”

  “Are you serious?” she asked doubtfully.

  “I’m not a saint, Piper, and I haven’t had sex in … too long. My gonads got the better of me. I won’t let it happen again. Friends?”

  “You can handle it?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I’ll hold you to it.”

  He grinned and held out his hand. “I know you will.”

  Chapter 14

  It was over his morning coffee that Chad had a flash of inspiration. Okay, sure, no question he screwed up last night by turning up the heat under Piper’s sweet derriere so soon. He needed to back off and trust her that she wasn’t ready to get involved yet but by god she was wavering, like a mighty pine about to come down.

  It didn’t take a genius to recognize there was no way she was going to pop over again without either a compelling reason or a guarantee that they wouldn’t be alone together. He needed to lure her back and reassure her that he wasn’t a threat. He wanted her to feel comfortable around him again so a wary distance wasn’t an option.

  Whether he wanted to be or not he was in a battle of wills with Piper. She was working damned hard to convince herself that she didn’t want him but the outcome was weighted heavily in his favor. It wasn’t exactly a fair fight. She was losing without much effort on his part but the least he could do was resist the urge to push her into a defensive retreat.

  So for now he’d focus on being her friend, hopefully an indispensable one. It was time for a new plan.

  He had to talk to his mother first.

  “Why are you calling so early, is something wrong?” she asked.

  “No, something’s right. I have a favor, a big one actually.”

  There was exasperation in her voice. “Let’s hear it.”

  “I was hoping I could persuade you to take your grandchildren one more night.”

  “Why?”

  “I have plans with Piper.”

  “Really?” She sounded hopeful.

  “Almost.”

  “Call me when it’s confirmed.”

  “I can’t, it’s sort of a sneak attack.”

  She groaned. “Chad honey, what are you doing?”

  “I screwed up last night and now she’s running scared again but I hit on an idea that will fix everything. I hope.”

  “It sounds like you’re about to foul it up even more.”

  “Trust me.”

  “Maybe you should just try the truth this time. You know, tell her you care about her and want to take it to the next level.”

  “Can’t — she’s not ready to hear that. It’ll just scare her off.”

  “Your father didn’t have to work nearly this hard to win me. I don’t know what you’re doing wrong.”

  “Mom, did you really want me to know that?”

  “What did I say?”

  “Never mind.” He chuckled. “Listen, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, tell you how it went.”

  “I’ll be waiting with bated breath.”

  When he ended that call Chad scrolled through his contacts until he found the next one.

  “Chad?” his friend answered. “What’s going on?”

  “Brent, do you and Pam have anything planned for tonight?”

  “Not a thing. Why?”

  “I owe you a dinner. Can you come over?”

  “Let me put Pam on.”

  • • •

  When Chad hung up his smile was so wide his cheeks tingled. Zippering his fingers together he reached up for a long luxuriant stretch before clasping his hands behind his head and kicking back in his chair with a satisfied sigh.

  • • •

  Joy slid a tray of frosted cookies into the display case and pulled the door closed. Looking up she saw that Piper was bent over yet another special order cake with a scowl of concentration on her face.

  “Are you about ready for a coffee break?” Joy asked.

  “Yes,” Piper said, clearly exhausted. “I’ve just got this little bit left on this one then I really need to shake out my wrist.”

  “You’re not getting carpal are you?”

  “Not yet but I’m being careful.”

  Joy drifted over and watched her finish. She nodded slowly. “Nice.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Come on, I already put the Back in Ten sign on the case.”

  Piper stretched up, straightening her stiff back. The yawn came out of nowhere and Joy laughed at her.

  “Still not used to it yet,” Joy said. “Don’t worry, it’ll come”

  While Joy poured two cups of coffee Piper shook out her hand then bent it back at the wrist, holding that position for a minute.

  Joy walked over and handed her a cup and they walked around the corner and out of view, pulling out their stools.

  “So, you’ve been pretty mum about yesterday, how’d it go?” Joy asked, eyeing Piper over the rim of her cup.

  Piper shrugged uncertainly. “It started out okay but then Chad had to go and ruin it by making a pass at me.”

  Joy’s eyes widened in mock horror. “The bastard!”

  Piper giggled. “Cut it out.”

  “So … now what?”

  Piper shrugged helplessly. “I wish I knew. He says he can handle the friendship thing but I have my doubts.” She buried her fingers into her hair and tugged. “The thing is, I like him. If I’d met him say, six months, maybe even a year from now, I’d definitely be interested, but the timing’s off.”

  “And?”

  “And nothing. I think I have to back up. I don’t want to lead him on.” She frowned at Joy. “Tell me something. Am I right in assuming that he’s exactly the kind of guy most women are looking for?”

  “Which is?”

  “A successful homeowner with a great personality and an even better body.” Piper took a sip of coffee and held up her finger as she swallowed. “Not to mention a killer smile and lips that
know exactly what they’re doing.”

  Joy sat up taller. “Hold it. I think you skipped something there and that tasty detail should have come out first. He kissed you?”

  Piper squirmed uncomfortably. “Yes.”

  “Is this what you call not dating?”

  Piper rolled her eyes. “That was a one time deal — okay two, but they happened in succession and we sorted it out. Or I thought we did until last night.”

  Joy shook her head, bemused. “I don’t know what to think about this double life you’re leading.”

  “Can we get back to my question please?”

  “I forgot it.”

  Piper laughed. “Aren’t most women looking to hook a guy like this?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “So why does he seem to be set on me?”

  “I don’t know. You’re such a prickly bitch,” Joy said with a playful grin.

  “Thank you,” Piper said sarcastically.

  “Oh sorry, I thought I was helping,” Joy teased. She tapped her cheekbone with her finger a few times. “Maybe he’s one of those guys that like the chase.”

  “I don’t think so. Guys like that don’t typically settle down and go all dependable.”

  “Now he’s dependable too? What a loser. You really need to kick his ass back to his own freaky dimension.”

  Piper grumbled up at the ceiling. “Why do I even bother talking to you?”

  “Besides not knowing too many people around here? Easy, that’s what best friends do.” Joy slid off her stool. “Break’s over.”

  • • •

  Chad closed the oven and gave a little cheer. He wiped his hands on the towel tucked into the waistband of his jeans, picking up the song he’d been humming where he left off. So far, so bad. Everything was beautiful baby.

  • • •

  Piper was just walking into her apartment when her cell phone rang. She went digging frantically through her purse as she kicked the door closed behind her.

  “Hello?”

  “Piper? What a relief. I’m so glad I caught you. Listen, I’m having a bit of a crisis and I could really use your help. Could you come over?”

  “Chad, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” Piper toed off her shoes and made her way to the bedroom to get a clean change of clothes for after her shower.

  “This has nothing to do with yesterday, I swear. I wouldn’t have called if I didn’t honestly need your help.”

  “What kind of help?”

  “You know those friends I blew off a few weeks ago?”

  “Yeah,” she said slowly.

  “I was going to make it up to them by having them over for dinner tonight but it’s a disaster. I don’t know if I can save my roast. Would you come and look at it? Please?”

  “You made a roast?”

  “I’ll let you answer that when you see it. It doesn’t resemble anything I’ve ever eaten before.”

  “If that’s the case what else have you got lying around?”

  “Corn dogs in the freezer and mac and cheese.”

  “Run to the store right now and pick up some nice steaks, I’ll hit the market by my place and be right over with whatever else I can find. What time are they coming?”

  “They’ll be here in an hour.”

  “Do you have any wine?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good, it’ll relax them and give us time to pull everything together.”

  “Thanks, Piper.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  He hung up and broke into a happy whistle.

  • • •

  Chad barely got the front door open before Piper brushed right past him and headed directly for the kitchen carrying a bulging canvas bag.

  “Do you want to see the roast?” he asked, following her down the hall.

  “Why not?” She set the bag on the counter and started unpacking spring onions, fresh asparagus, peppers, and baby red potatoes. She was particularly careful with the grape tomatoes and lettuce.

  Chad stared at the produce spilling across his counter with his mouth hanging open. “What’d you do, buy them out?”

  “You owe me thirty-two dollars.”

  “No problem.”

  She flattened the bag and turned. “Okay, let’s see it.”

  He bent and pulled out the oven rack then folded back the foil.

  Piper drew back, hiding her smile behind her hand. “Are your smoke detectors working properly?”

  “Ha ha.”

  “How’d you do that?”

  He replaced the foil and shoved it back in. “I don’t know.”

  “Well don’t leave it in there. That needs to be dumped.”

  “You can’t save it?”

  “Maybe two hours ago.”

  “So I cooked it too long?”

  “I doubt that’s all that went wrong here today but at least we’re on the right track now. Why don’t you throw a pot on the stove for the potatoes while I wash the lettuce?”

  “Then what should I do?”

  “Go light the grill and after you’re done out there, I’ll have something else for you to do. This is your party not mine.”

  • • •

  When Chad’s guests arrived the steaks were just about to go on the grill, the potatoes were nearly done, the salad looked beautiful, and the bottle of red wine was uncorked and breathing.

  Piper hid out in the kitchen when Chad went to greet them. He ushered them into the living room then went back for Piper.

  Dragging her through the archway Chad announced, “Tonight’s dinner might not have happened if not for the cool intervention of this woman here. Piper Frost, take a bow.”

  He stepped back and beamed at her. Piper rolled her eyes at him then looked at the bewildered couple. “He ruined his roast.”

  “We’re having roast?” said Pam.

  “Not anymore. Now it’s steak,” said Chad.

  “Now it’s edible,” Piper amended with a laugh.

  “Piper, meet my two oldest friends.”

  “Oldest?” Pam said with a shudder.

  Chad laughed. “Okay my closest friends — Brent and Pam Fuller.”

  “Hello,” Piper said, a tad bashfully.

  “Hi,” the Fullers replied in unison and everyone laughed again.

  Chad leaned in. “Anyone interested in a glass of wine?”

  “If you’re pouring I won’t say no,” said Pam.

  “Brent?”

  “Sure. I’ll give you a hand.”

  Chad walked out, plunking the unofficial hostess duties squarely on Piper’s shoulders.

  “Why don’t we sit down?” she said, motioning towards the sofa.

  “Good idea.”

  They settled onto the cushions and looked at each other awkwardly, nodding and smiling for a moment. Piper broke the ice with a question. “So how long have you known Chad?”

  Pam’s brows pinched together as she did the mental calculation. “Hmm, I’d say it’s been what, twelve years now.”

  Piper smiled. “So you can vouch for him then?”

  “I’ve done it before,” Pam said with a twinkle in her eye, “when I introduced him to my best friend, Chelsea.”

  Piper cringed. “Oh my god, I just walked right into that one. I’m so sorry.”

  Pam smiled, shaking her head. “Don’t be. It’s not a decision I regret. Not a bit. Chad made her happy.”

  “You must miss her.”

  “We all do, but it gets easier every year.” Pam’s expression softened and she smiled at Piper. “I’m so glad Chad’s finally going out again. You have no idea how much I worried about him.”

&nb
sp; “Oh, we’re not dating,” Piper said hastily, correcting her mistake. “It isn’t like that between us. We’re just friends.”

  Taken aback for a moment, Pam didn’t get an opportunity to pursue it because the men returned. Brent strolled over to his wife and handed her a glass then settled into the nearest wing chair.

  “Guess this one’s for you,” Chad said handing his second glass to Piper before claiming the remaining chair.

  “Hold it,” Brent said before anyone took a sip. “I want to make a toast.”

  Pam stared hard at her husband, trying to communicate something to him while Chad shot him a warning look of his own across the coffee table. Brent just winked back and sat forward, holding out his glass, “Here’s to round two.”

  Chad’s eyes bulged in alarm. The idiot was going to ruin everything.

  Grinning at his friend’s panic Brent said simply, “Let’s call it flank steak.”

  Flank steak my ass, Chad thought as he leaned in to rap his glass against the others. Luckily Piper didn’t read anything more into it but if he didn’t haul Brent to the side soon and explain a few things to him all his best-laid plans were going to come crashing down on his head.

  • • •

  They had their little chat outside by the grill while Piper and Pam sat at the kitchen table drawing fresh vegetables through dip and chatting like old friends.

  Chad leaned back to peer around Brent and spy on them through the screen door. Piper was laughing and nudging Pam’s arm at what she was hearing. He could tell by body language alone when Pam said, “I swear.”

  That probably wasn’t good. What was she telling Piper, anyway?

  “Chad?” Brent said slowly. “Are you going to turn the steak or do you want me to do it?”

  “Huh?”

  Brent laughed. “Man — you are gone.”

  “Don’t say that.”

  “Just stating the obvious.”

  “If Piper hears that she’s out of here.”

  Brent twisted open a beer. The wine was fine as an appetizer but he needed sustenance.

  “I don’t get it. She likes you — even I can see that, and I’m not the most perceptive guy in the world.”

  “Yeah.” Chad flipped the steak then closed the lid. “That old boyfriend of hers sure did a number on her. I’d love to track him down and punch him right in the face.”