Tinsel (Lark Cove #4)(24)

“You look happy.”

She tucked a strand of her chestnut hair behind an ear. “Thank you. And you look beautiful, as always.”

“Thank you.”

I’d known Piper for a long time and had always thought she was gorgeous. But her happiness had taken her to a whole new level since she’d moved to Montana. Her skin glowed and her smile radiated through the room.

“So how are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m good. You?”

“I’m fantastic. I just wanted to swing by and drop off some paperwork.”

“On New Year’s Eve?” I asked. “My brother isn’t even here. He needs to cut you some slack.”

“He sure does.” Her eyes scanned me up and down, looking over every inch twice.

“What?” I inspected my clothing. “Why are you looking—wait. You’re not here to drop off paperwork. My brother sent you here to check on me, didn’t he?”

She hesitated a moment but nodded. “Sorry. He was worried.”

“Ugh.” I rolled my eyes. “It’s been two days. I’m fine.”

“I tried to tell him that too, but he just wanted to be sure. He loves you.”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “I love him too.”

And this checkin was irritably kind. Logan had always been protective of me, even if he did claim that I gave him gray hair.

“Okay, now that I’ve seen you’re alive and still standing, I can report back to Logan. I’ll just drop these papers in the office before Kaine comes in search of me. The boys are probably going nuts in their car seats since we’ve been stopped for ten seconds. They don’t like being trapped. Stop lights are stressful right now.”

“They’re all outside?” I peered past her.

“Yep. Kaine’s talking to Dakota. Be right back.”

She hurried down the hallway toward the office as I rushed to put on some shoes. Then I stole a heavy ski coat from Thea’s coatrack, shrugging it on just as Piper came back. “Ready?”

“Ready.” I nodded. “Are you guys coming to the party tonight?”

She smiled. “We’ll be there. Kaine’s mom is coming up this afternoon to watch the boys so we can have a night out.”

“It’ll be nice to see a familiar face. Dakota put me in charge of pouring champagne, so I’ll make sure your glass is always full.”

“Perfect.” She laughed. “How’s it going with work and Dakota?”

“Good. He’s sweet.” That word slipped right out. It was not the one I’d meant to say because sweet revealed way too much. I turned and walked to the door, hoping Piper had missed it.

“Hold up.”

Damn. I sighed and spun back around.

“He’s sweet?” she repeated. “Dakota Magee has never been described as sweet. What’s going on?”

If this had been Sean, Logan’s other assistant, I would have been able to avoid this conversation. But Piper had become an extension of Logan’s family over the years, and I’d known her for way too long. She’d keep me inside until I told her all about Dakota and the last two days.

“Nothing. It’s not like that. Kind of. I don’t know. He’s . . .” I tossed my hand in the general direction of the men outside, looking at them from the window next to the door.

They were standing by the hood of Dakota’s black truck, talking. Dakota had his arms crossed over his broad chest. His canvas coat did nothing to hide the bulk of his arms. His faded jeans molded around his thick thighs, his boots planted wide in the snow.

My mouth went dry.

“Hot,” Piper finished.

I nodded. “Super hot.”

“Hmm. And this is a problem?”

“Yes. The last thing I need is another relationship.”

“Why does it have to be a relationship? You know, casual sex gets a bad rap. There is nothing wrong with a woman having some fun with a sexy man.”

“Really?” My mouth fell open. I bet Logan wouldn’t want Piper checking up on me again if he knew she was encouraging me to have casual sex with Thea’s employee.

“Kaine and I jumped right into something crazy and wild. It was so out of character for me and the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.”

“Yeah, but you got married and had cute babies. I’m not looking for a husband. Been there. Done that twice. Clearly, my taste in partners cannot be trusted.”

Piper’s face softened. “Sofia, don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve had some bad luck with men. But honestly, I don’t think any of that was your fault.”

“You don’t?”

“No, I don’t.” She put her hand on my shoulder. “Here’s what I know. Dakota is a good man. He’s honest. I think a relationship, even a brief one, with a good man is just what you need. He can teach you what it feels like to be with the right kind of someone.”

“I’m leaving as soon as Thea and Logan get back.”

“Logan always says you’re a fast learner.”

Huh? “He does?”

She winked and let go of the door, forcing me out of the way as she stepped outside.

I followed, shielding my eyes from the bright winter sun and locking the door behind me.