Almost Just Friends (Wildstone #4)(65)

Everyone stopped in their tracks and stared at Piper, and then at Cam.

Eventually, the shock wore off. Gavin gestured with a spatula at his older sister. “I want you to note that I’m a feminist, and also I think sex is good for the soul, so I’m not going to point out your walk of shame, even though you pointed out mine. But good God, woman, the least you could do is wipe that smile off your face so your brother doesn’t have to throw up a little in his mouth.”

“I’m not smiling!”

“Whatever, sis.” Gavin expertly flipped a very large pancake with a flick of his wrist. “Also, did you wear that life vest while getting that smile? Because that must’ve taken real dedication.”

Piper tore off the life vest and glared at Cam, like it was all his doing. It took a lot not to smile.

“I hope you used birth control,” Winnie said. “Did you know condoms are only ninety-eight percent effective?” She pointed to her stomach. “Meet the other two percent. I mean, who knew, right?”

“It’s on the box,” Piper said.

Winnie frowned. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

Winnie shrugged. “Like I said, who knew.”

“Glad we don’t have to worry about percentages,” Gavin said to CJ, who smirked.

Piper closed her eyes. “Okay, first, it’s not the walk of shame when it’s your own house. And being of age, it’s never a walk of shame. Period.”

Winnie grinned. “You might want to turn your shirt right side out and try saying that again.”

Piper aimed another glare at Cam.

He lifted his hands in a sign of surrender. “You were the one sneaking out on me. I was asleep when you put that thing on.”

Gavin was looking pained. “I just realized you’re doing my boss. There’s a high ‘ew’ factor here.”

Piper looked down at herself. Yep, shirt was inside out. She put the life vest back on. “And second,” she said, while everyone was still laughing, forcing her to point at all of them, including Cam. “I’m allowed a life.”

“Amen, sister,” Winnie said. “And it’s good to see you going for it.”

Cam watched Piper turn to Winnie, the irritation draining from her eyes, replaced by an affection he knew was years and years in the making. “Thanks,” Piper said.

Winnie smiled back. “So . . . we’re okay?”

“We’re okay.”

Looking relieved, Winnie nudged her chin toward Cam. “So are you two a thing now or what?”

“Or what,” Piper said noncommittally, and gestured to the opened laptop. “What are you up to?”

“Oh! We’ve got a plan!” Winnie looked at her brother, who gave her a nod of encouragement.

“Should I be scared?” Piper asked. “Cuz I am.”

“You were right before,” Winnie said.

Piper blinked. “I’m sorry, did you just say I was right about something?”

Winnie rolled her eyes. “I know, I know, you’ve never heard that from me before.” She rubbed her tummy. “But guess what? I’m going to be a mom. A really great one too, and moms are mature. I’m trying to work on that. I want to be taken seriously, and before you speak, I realize I’ve never tried hard at . . . well, anything. But that’s going to change. I’m getting really good at fixing stuff. So . . . meet your new handywoman.” She gestured to herself. “Which is me, in case I wasn’t clear.”

“And I’m taking over cooking duties,” Gavin said. “And not just because you suck at it, but because I miss cooking.”

“You’re just saying that because I messed up the chocolate chip cookies the other night,” Piper said.

Gavin nodded. “Never let a recipe tell you how many chocolate chips to use. You measure that shit with your heart, Piper.”

“Noted. But you don’t have to do it all. I can always get Girl Scout cookies.”

“You mean buy ten boxes at a time and eat them alone in the pantry?”

“Hey,” she said. “It’s called supporting young female entrepreneurs.”

“Also,” he went on, “Winnie and I want to rent out the cottages and turn this thing into a B and B, like Grandma’s parents did a million years ago. I mean, they’re even furnished. Besides, my blueberry pancakes should be shared with the world.”

“One hundred percent correct on that,” CJ said around a bite of pancake.

“And something else that should be shared with the world,” Winnie said. “My newly found handywoman skills.”

Piper gaped at them. “Do you have any idea how much work goes into running a B and B? We’re not Great-Grandma. We’d need a website, and an accounting program, and a whole bunch of other stuff I can’t even imagine.”

“I know,” Gavin said. “And I’ve been building a website. It’ll be ready by next week. And I’ve got a good bookkeeping program. I can set us up, just like I’m doing for Cam at the marina. It wouldn’t require any work from you. For once, I can step up and do something for you for a change.” He gave a lopsided smile. “Look, we all know our childhood was . . . well, royally fucked up. But look at us making something of ourselves regardless.”