Roman felt like booting her entitled little butt out of his car, but he held onto his temper. “Piper is a successful entrepreneur and a talented jewelry designer. End of subject,” he snapped.
“Good for her,” Brie snapped back. She stared out of the window in stony silence, her chin lifted haughtily.
Roman sighed. He didn’t want to arrive at Monica and Vince’s with their daughter in a pissy mood. “Hey, sorry I snapped at you. It’s been a long day.”
Brie threw her arms around his neck. Nuzzling his cheek, she bit it lightly. “That’s more like it. Save your roar for when we’re in bed,” she said, patting his clamped jaw. “If we ever get there…” she trailed off in a futile attempt to guilt him.
He exhaled a rough breath. He needed to call it quits ASAP, but this wasn’t the time or place.
* * *
After grilling a delicious surf and turf dinner, Cook went home a few hours later. They’d been too full after dinner and decided to wait a while before indulging in dessert. Brazilian jazz played on the Bose speakers as they fell into companionable silence.
Roman and Vince sat on the outside lanai overlooking the Gulf of Mexico smoking Cuban cigars and drinking brandy—Vince’s favorite pastime after dinner. Brie and Monica had gone inside to brew coffee and set up dessert. Dinner had been tense, and he had no doubt Brie was in the kitchen complaining about him to her mama.
“I’m looking forward to Brie’s chocolate cake,” Vince said, blowing out a stream of cigar smoke. “Doctors put me on a damn diet of no booze, no sugar and no smokes. Pathetic way to exist,” he groused. “But they won’t operate on me until I comply.”
“Better listen to them, Vince. You want to go into surgery in the best shape you can.”
“Maybe, but I’m still having a piece of Brie’s chocolate cake tonight.” He chuckled. “This time she really did bake it.”
“Good,” Roman replied lightly. The last time Brie had taken credit for baking him homemade peach cobbler, Cook had ratted her out. Rather than be embarrassed at being caught in a lie, Brie had giggled unrepentantly and sassed, “I’ve been terribly naughty, Roman. What are you going to do about it?” Standing with her hands on her waist and one hip cocked in a taunting pose, she’d drawn laughs from everyone at the dinner party.
He’d found it cute then, but not anymore.
“Brie’s grown up a lot in the time you’ve been dating,” Vince said as if reading his thoughts. “You’re good for my little girl. She always was a prankster, and God knows she tries my patience sometimes. But she’s a good girl.” He smiled indulgently. “She just has a lot of unharnessed energy.”
Unharnessed energy? More like troublemaking tendencies.
Roman remained silent as Vince stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Good thing she moved back to Naples after Kevin broke up with her. That ex-boyfriend of hers was a mean SOB. She says he never hit her, and if he had, I’d have made sure his ass was hauled to jail.” He ran a bony hand through his thick silver hair. “He used to holler at her a lot, and they’d have terrible fights. Brie’s not used to being treated rough like that.”
“I’ll bet,” Roman said. Vince rarely raised his voice. Patient and unflappable, he was the exact opposite of his wife Monica, who was high-strung and prone to hysterics. Nothing was more important to Monica than pampering Brie. She had a strained relationship with her married, older son, mostly because her daughter-in-law didn’t like her, according to Brie.
Monica’s whole life revolved around Brie and Vince. She revered Vince like a king, and he ate it up. Roman suspected that he simply tuned out when Monica went off on one of her rants. They were always aimed at others, not her immediate family.
“Brie should have broken up with him at the first sign,” Roman said after a moment.
“Damn right she should have, but she had some cockamamie idea she was going to change him.” Vince shook his head. “It didn’t turn out that way. If I’d known the extent of his nastiness, I’d have brought her home sooner. The public way he dumped her was ugly. I’m grateful you stepped in when I asked you to.”
“No need to be grateful, Vince.”
Vince’s eyes creased deeply in his tanned face as he beamed at Roman. “You’re a good match. I haven’t seen Brie this happy in a long time.”
Vince’s words tormented Roman. He owed the decent man so much. Vince had steadfastly stood by him through thick and thin, negating all the rumors that had surfaced to destroy Roman’s career.
And that’s not all he’d done—he’d saved Roman from himself when he was a volatile16-year-old grieving his father’s sudden death. He’d descended into a spiral of depression that morphed into rage and defiance, turning against God and everything he held dear, including his love of tennis.
Vince showed him he had a lot to live for. With compassion and dogged perseverance, he drew Roman out of his despair and inspired him to be the best he could be at tennis…and as a man. He took Roman under his wing and gave him the kind of loving discipline and motivation he desperately needed. His deliberate guidance and positive reinforcement brought out the best in Roman to drive him to the top.
Pity Vince hadn’t used the same parenting skills on Brie instead of letting Monica spoil her. Vince was eyeing him expectantly. He wanted Roman to say something nice about his daughter, but what could he say?
He was eager to break up with Brie, but it would have to wait until after the fundraiser to spare the family and Brie embarrassment. There would be tears and high drama, but she’d survive. He was more worried about letting Vince down. It was no secret he would have loved for Roman to marry his only daughter.
Brie sashayed into the patio with Monica trailing behind her. “Dessert time,” she crowed, wielding a white cake platter with a three layer chocolate cake on it.
Vince squashed his cigar on the ashtray and beamed at his daughter. “Why, honey, that looks scrumptious.”
Brie ducked her head and dimpled. “Thanks, Daddy. Cook can vouch that I baked it.”
Vince’s chest rumbled with laughter, and he winked at his daughter as she cut four slices of the cake and served them.
Monica flapped the air with her hand and coughed. “Vince, why are you smoking?” she chided. “Dr. Pruitt said you had to quit before your operation. After those blood test results, you shouldn’t even be having chocolate cake, honey.”
“Don’t be a killjoy, Moni.” Vince took the dessert plate from Brie. “Let me enjoy my time with Roman. And Brie’s cake. I’ll be a saint tomorrow,” he said sarcastically.
Monica’s frown vanished. “Oh, Vince,” she said in a placating tone. “I only do it because I love you.”
“I know,” Vince said, sending her a wink.
“The biggest slice is for you, babe.” Brie contemplated Roman with a look of devotion. “Before we have it though, I have something wonderful to tell you.”
Roman froze. What the hell was she going to announce in front of her parents? It better not be that she’s pregnant. They’d only had sex once, for Pete’s sake. Three pairs of expectant eyes stared at him.
“What is it?” he said at last. His question sounded as strangled as he felt.
Brie’s eyes glowed. “I have secured the best sponsorship ever for your event,” she boasted excitedly.
Roman exhaled a vast gust of relief. “You have? What is it?”
“An amazing beverage sponsorship. Suzie, my sorority sis, is married to Clayton Everley, the owner of Everley Liquor and Beverages. I told her about your charity event, and she got Clayton to donate all the liquor for it.” Brie’s lips formed a triumphant grin. “Not only that, but he’s throwing in a champagne toast at the end of the award ceremony. Isn’t that fab?”
“It sure is, Brie. I’m proud of you,” Monica trilled. She cocked her head at Roman and sent him a pointed look, prodding him to say something nice to her little darling.
“I appreciate it, Brie, but we don’t need another beverage sponsor. Sadie already ha
s one lined up. We’ve had a long-standing relationship with them.”
Brie waved a flippant hand. “No worries there. I already canceled them.” Her smile could have lit the room, she was so proud of herself.
Roman leaned forward and stared at her in consternation. So it was Brie who had canceled the order. Mystery solved. Did she have any idea how inappropriate her actions had been? “Did you consult with Sadie? Did she give you authorization to do that?”
Slashes of pink tinted Brie’s cheeks. “No, I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“It was,” he said bluntly.
“Oops, looks like I stepped in it.” Her smile wavered. “But no worries. This is a much better deal than the one Sadie arranged for.”
“You should have let her know before canceling the order, Brie,” Roman said in a level tone. Sadie was going to pitch a fit, and rightly so, when she found out what Brie had done.
Brie’s face crumbled. “I was trying to help, and now you’re mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you,” he said, summoning patience. “I realize you wanted to help, but there’s protocol you need to follow.”
“Maybe I should have told Sadie.” She blinked rapidly. “But she’s had so much on her mind lately…and there have been a few mistakes.” She sighed dejectedly. “I only wanted to lighten her load. To help her.”
Monica’s sharp glare sliced through Roman like a razorblade. She looked ready to slay him for chastising her princess.
Roman forced a smile though Brie’s comment about his mother infuriated him. There was no sense taking her to task in front of her parents. She was already acting like a victim. He’d tell her later never to do it again.
“No harm done,” Roman said in a level tone. “Make sure you let her know as soon as possible. OK?”
“Sure.” Brie’s lips trembled as she exhaled a shaky breath. Were those tears in her eyes? Her passive aggressive behavior was irritating as hell. “I’ll come by and see her tomorrow morning,” she said, chastened. “Once Sadie knows they’re going to comp everything, not just the wine, she’ll be pleased.” She stared at him warily. “At least I hope she will.”
Roman caught Vince’s intent expression as he studied his daughter, his gray brows furrowed in bewilderment.
Chapter 16
The following day, Georgie emerged from the dressing room of The Magic Dress bridal shop with a tentative smile. She glided toward Piper and the attending saleswoman in an exquisite bridal gown, taking measured steps.
The moment she stepped onto the platform surrounded by three mirrors, Piper and Meghan, the saleswoman, looked at each other and simultaneously breathed, “Wow.”
Piper clasped her hands, enchanted. “Georgie, you look stunning! Absolutely gorgeous.”
Georgie’s smile widened. “Thank you.”
“Do you love it?” Piper pressed, noting the dreamy look on Georgie’s face.
“I do,” she said dazedly.
Tiny Swarovski crystal beads on the bodice of the gown twinkled, catching the light from the overhead chandelier, as Georgie slowly twirled for them. The strapless gown was sheer perfection, shaping her breasts and nipping her in at the waist. Yards of Parisian peau de soie fabric swirled and billowed around her ankles giving her a regal air. She blinked earnestly. “I think this just might be the one. What do you think?”
“I agree. This might sound cliché, but you look like a princess in it. How are you going to wear your hair? Up or down?”
“Down in loose waves with a delicate headband and a simple veil. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.” Piper eyed her with speculation. Georgie was never one to make snap judgments. “So…are you going to say yes to the dress?” she asked with an air of nonchalance, not wanting to pressure her.
“Yes. Absolutely!”
Piper did a fist pump and sank back on the settee with a satisfied smile. “I am so glad you found your dream dress.” They’d been shopping all afternoon for Georgie’s wedding dress with no luck…until now.
“Me too.” Brimming with excitement, Georgie smiled at Meghan, the saleswoman. “Can you fit me now?”
Meghan was at her side in an instant. “Of course. Let’s talk shoes. What size heels will you be wearing?”
“Three inches, like the ones I’m wearing now. Alex is tall.”
While Meghan took measurements, Georgie turned to Piper. “I saw some beautiful cocktail dresses in the bridesmaid area. While I’m getting fitted, maybe you can find a dress for the gala.”
“Good idea. I’ll take a look,” Piper said.
As Meghan and Georgie worked out the details, Piper went in search of the perfect dress. An unwelcome thought nagged her as she perused the dress racks. She’d be competing with Brie for Roman’s attention. She wanted something classy, yet sexy and elegant enough for a gala. Most importantly, the kind of dress that would make Roman look twice. With high hopes and an armful of beautiful cocktail dresses, she headed for the dressing room.
After trying them on, she settled on a cocktail dress a shade lighter than her turquoise eyes and joined Georgie at the back of the shop. Meghan was in the office recording the notes she’d taken on the alterations, and Georgie had already changed out of the bridal gown.
“What do you think of this one?” Piper said. “I love the fabric. The velvet is soft, and it drapes well.”
“You look beautiful. Get it. That color really makes your eyes stand out.” Georgie wiggled her brows. “I can’t wait for you to make your entrance on Eric the Built’s arm.”
Piper snorted. “Honestly, Georgie. Eric the Built?”
A teasing glint danced in Georgie’s eyes. “Didn’t Sadie tell you he looked like a Viking?”
“Yes, but—”
“Roman is going to be so jealous, he’ll throw you over his shoulder and run off with you.”
“Ha, I wish.” Piper plopped down on the antique chaise lounge outside the dressing room. “Let’s not get carried away. Don’t forget he’ll be with The Cheese.”
Georgie shrugged dismissively. “Oh her. She’s old news.”
“Since when? The last time I saw Roman, she was draped all over him.”
“Don’t be negative.” Georgie faced Piper squarely. “As soon as Roman finds out what a scheming beeyatch she is, he’ll break up with her. He wants you, Piper, not that stinky ole cheese.”
Piper smiled at Georgie’s loyalty. “Thanks for the pep talk, but why are you so convinced Roman wants me?”
“Please. Enough already. You’re in total denial.”
Piper lifted her shoulder in a half-shrug. “Maybe.”
Georgie put her hands on her hips. “You obviously need to see the light.”
“I could use some clarity. More than you can imagine.”
Georgie sank down beside Piper. “From what you’ve told me, it’s just a matter of time before Roman makes his move.” She nudged Piper. “Or you can go to him.” She tilted her head and regarded her with a puzzled look. “Why are you being so passive if you want him? The Piper I know would have—”
“Georgie,” Piper cut in patiently. “My heart wants him, but my mind is cluttered with doubts. It may not work a second time around.” She exhaled a heavy breath. “Besides, Roman has to break up with Brie first.”
“True. He needs to get her out of the picture,” Georgie muttered. “But regarding a second chance with Roman—who says it won’t work? You’re not the same girl you were the first time around.”
“I have changed,” Piper conceded. “I feel stronger, more independent, but Roman is my Achilles’ heel. Before I give in, he has to prove he won’t vanish a second time.”
“I’d say that kiss he gave you was the first move.” A sly grin lifted the corners of Georgie’s mouth. “Wasn’t it?”
“It was pretty awesome.” Longing welled deep inside of Piper as she recalled Roman’s ravishing kiss. “I haven’t been kissed like that in a long time. Too long…” she trailed off wistfully.<
br />
“Well, your dry days are over, Pippi Longstocking,” Georgie chirped, amusing Piper. “Onward and upward. It’s time to put the past behind you and live in the present.”
“You’re right. I’m sick of dwelling on the past.”
“Good!” Georgie stood and pulled Piper up beside her. “Now can you please buy the dress so we can get some dinner? I’m starving.”
“Me too.” Starving for love, not food, but she didn’t say it out loud. It would only dampen Georgie’s joy at finding her perfect wedding dress.
Who knew where things were heading with Roman? There was too much unfinished business between them for it to be as easy as Georgie thought. Seeing him with Brie had jarred Piper yesterday and since then, she’d done a lot of soul-searching, imagining everything she wanted to say to him.
“What time is it?” Georgie asked, interrupting Piper’s musings. “I left my phone in the dressing room.”
Piper fished her cell phone out of her handbag and stared at the screen, surprised and elated. “Oh, I have two missed calls from Roman. I had my ringer off and didn’t notice.” Remembering Georgie’s question, she replied, “It’s six o’clock.”
Georgie clutched her stomach. “No wonder I’m hungry. We never had lunch. Why don’t you call him back while I get my things together?”
Piper slid her phone into her handbag. “Not now.”
Georgie stopped in her tracks. “Don’t you want to talk to him?”
“I do, but not here. I’d rather do it in private.”
Georgie smacked herself on the forehead. “Duh. What was I thinking?
Chapter 17
Stopped at the traffic light, Roman dialed Piper’s number again. He’d called her twice earlier, but each time it had gone straight to her voicemail. After a tense day, all he wanted to do was see her.
He disconnected the call before she answered and headed to her place. Sadie had acted nonchalant when he’d called to ask for Piper’s address. Good thing she hadn’t asked nosy questions.
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