My Twist of Fortune Rayne, Piper (top books to read TXT) 📖

ended up being a cheating asshole. If Laurie hadn’t passed, your return would be nothing more than a friend coming back into my life. But that’s not the situation. The fact is that I’m a single man and you’re a single woman.” He breaks the distance and both his hands cradle my cheeks, turning my face upward to look into his eyes. “I like you and I want to explore whatever this is with you. Let’s start with a date. Just a date.”

His hazel eyes are so earnest and endearing, there’s no chance of me not agreeing.

“Yes,” I whisper.

His smile could light up the Las Vegas Strip with its wattage. “Good. I’ll pick you up Saturday at six.”

“Okay.”

We walk around the bay and back toward downtown.

“I have some stipulations about the date.”

“You do, do you,” I say with a smile.

“No talking about spouses. This is just for us to get reacquainted with one another.”

A night where the name Jeff doesn’t leave my lips. “Sounds good to me. What else?”

“No sleeping together. I’m not easy and don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

I laugh and lean into him. “Well, jeez, I was planning to drop under the table and give you a blow job. I guess that’s not happening now.”

He holds up his hands. “I strike my last comment from the record. Maybe we can negotiate different terms.”

“No way, you already laid down the law, Hank Greene. I wouldn’t want to compromise your morals.”

He chuckles and stops me right before we near The Grind. He presses my back to a brick wall, and I can’t help but glance around to see if anyone else sees us.

“One more rule.” He places his finger to my lips. “Leave it all at home. Just have a night for Marla McAlister-Greene, okay?”

It’s a tall order, but I hope I can pull it off. “All right.”

“You’re not the best negotiator. Maybe stay away from that field of employment.” He backs away and opens the door of The Grind.

I smile at Hank and walk through the door to find a member of the gossip brigade eyeing us as Zoe prepares his coffee. His eyes zero in between us, presumably to see if we’re holding hands.

“They’re still around, huh?”

Hank catches his eye. “Hey, Earl.”

The guy nods his hello.

Hank leans in close to me. “Alive and kicking. They’re on to us, just so you know. This will be reported to the others and a full investigation might be launched.”

I laugh as Hank reaches over the counter to retrieve my bag, then he secures it over my shoulder. “I forgot what a gentleman you were.”

“I forgot how great it feels to have someone to be a gentleman with.”

Warmth fills my veins, and as though I have the power to see the future, a feeling comes over me that I’ve never felt before, not even with Jeff. As though I’m right where I should be. As though I was meant to be in this moment at this time in my life. A serenity calms my anxiety for the first time since I’ve been back.

He puts his arm out as an offering. “Now let me see you home.”

I slide my arm through. “Well, thank you, sir.”

We leave The Grind, and as the snow spins through the air, falling to the ground, I find myself falling too.

“You can’t go out with her,” Cade says. “She’s your cousin.”

I button up my shirt. “No, she married my cousin. And they’re divorced, so she’s not related to us anymore.”

“Dad! Are you trying to make us outcasts?” Cade stands in the doorway, watching me. He didn’t play last night as quarterback. Instead the coach tried him out as tight end.

“You’re not going to be outcasts. You’ve all lived here your entire lives.”

“The guys are gonna razz me about kissing cousins or some crap like that. Hell, Xavier is already getting it because he hangs out with Mandi now. People are saying they’ll have babies with three heads.”

“Are you telling me Xavier wants to date Mandi?” I grab my wallet and keys.

“No. Gross. Are you listening to me?” Cade puts his arms on either side of my bedroom door as though he’s going to stop me. “It’s bad enough people are all high-fiving Jed now and he’s got all the girls’ attention at school. This is only gonna make it worse for me.”

“You’ll play the next game. Stop worrying.” I wait for him to get out of my way.

“Dad, you can’t leave.” Chevelle winds through her brother’s legs and secures herself to my legs, holding tight.

“Cade is going to watch you tonight. He said you get your game of choice.” I look at Cade with pleading eyes.

He sighs and nods. Mostly because Chevelle loves to play card games and she’s kind of a card shark who never gets enough. God help me if she ever discovers poker and plays for real money.

“Really?” She looks at Cade.

He sighs. “Adam was looking for you,” he lies and we both know it.

“What does he want?” she asks.

“He said he can beat you at rummy. Go school him.” Cade steps out of the way.

Chevelle runs out, me following before Cade can cage me in again.

“Dad, please, think about how this is going to affect me.” He follows me down the stairs.

I grab my jacket from the front hallway closet. “Believe me, no one will even know we went on a date. I’m taking her to Anchorage.”

That relaxes his shoulders a bit.

“But I’m gonna be honest with you,” I say.

Adam runs down with Chevelle right behind him. “I never said that. Stop following me. Dad!”

“I like her. I asked her on a date because I want to get to know her again. So you might want to start getting used to the idea that I might have a…” I pause when the word girlfriend comes to mind. It makes us sound young and inexperienced.

“A what, Dad?” Chevelle asks.

Adam stares at me too.

“A new mom.” Cade looks at his sister.