Chapter 4

Piper

Opening night had gone better than expected. Mercy had even needed to help out behind the bar. The only problem we’d had was with one of our waiters. While we were fine with the waiters being flirty and friendly, this guy had been pushy and obnoxious. I’d warned him that I wouldn’t tolerate that kind of behavior from any member of the staff, and he’d toned it down.

“My feet are killing me,” I said on a groan as I looked around the near-empty club. When my eyes landed on Austin, I did a double-take. Only the closing crew should still be in the club, leaving me wondering why Austin was there.

“You don’t look happy to see me,” he remarked with a lopsided grin. “Would you smile at me again if I offer to fetch your bunny slippers?”

The laugh was past my lips before I could think better of it. Encouraging Austin was a bad idea. “What am I doing?” I asked no one in particular.

“Either laughing at what I said or laughing at me for acting like an idiot,” he replied from his spot close to the bar. “Do me a favor and pretend you’re laughing because I’m funny so you don’t damage my ego.”

I snorted. “Oh, please. Don’t pretend you’re lacking in self-confidence.”

His smile slipped as he regarded me. “I’m not the same man around you.”

“That’s a good reason to stay away from me,” I pointed out.

“I was thinking it’s a good reason to be around you,” he murmured as he prowled toward me.

“No!” I put a hand up. When he stopped and raised an eyebrow in question, I continued. “This isn’t going to happen.”

“What’s not going to happen?” he asked, still standing much too close.

“I am not having sex with you,” was my firm reply.

His lips twitched. “While I’d like that, I was actually thinking we could be friends.”

“Friends?” I asked as if I’d never heard the word before. It was a strange suggestion coming from Austin. “I don’t think we can be friends.”

“We were friends,” he reminded me. “Before I screwed everything up.”

I didn’t want to think about that time. It didn’t hurt anymore, but I was still embarrassed when I thought about how foolish I’d acted with Austin, all those years ago.

“I don’t know,” I replied honestly.

“We have mutual friends, so we’re going to see each other.” He had a good point. “We haven’t been around each other much up to this point, but only because we’ve both put a lot of effort into avoiding each other.”

“You’ve been avoiding me?” I asked, oddly hurt.

“Only because it seemed like the right thing to do,” he replied.

“And now it doesn’t?” I asked.

“It still seems like a good idea,” he confessed. “After all I put you through, I should back off and let you get on with your life. I never should have approached you at The Project.”

“You’re losing me here, Austin, and I’m too tired to try to figure out what you mean.” I released a frustrated breath. “Could you tell me in simple terms why you are asking to be friends if you think you should stay away from me?”

“I’m an asshole,” he admitted.

His response made me laugh. “Yes, you are,” I agreed.

“Hey, Piper!” Joel, one of the bouncers, called out.

“What’s up?” I asked Joel.

“We’re all done with cleanup,” he replied. “As soon as you’re ready, I’ll walk you to your car.”

“I can walk you to your car,” Austin offered.

“You can head out now, Joel. Austin will walk me out after I lock up.”

I was tempted to ask Austin to leave, but I’d already had a much too personal conversation within earshot of my employees. I didn’t want to add to that by possibly having an argument with Austin about whether he could walk me to my car. Besides, what difference did it make? Austin had already said he was only looking for friendship.

“I’ll be right back,” I said as I headed to the office to grab my purse and jacket.

Nothing was said as we walked out of the club. I stopped to set the alarm and lock up. When we were on the sidewalk, a cold breeze rushed by, and I shivered.

“Do you want to borrow my jacket?” he offered.

“I’m already wearing one, but thanks for offering,” I replied.

“Are you sure you don’t want to use my jacket? It would fit over the top of yours,” he pointed out.

Did I want to wrap myself in Austin’s warm jacket that smelled like him? Hell yes! For that reason, I said, “I’m fine.”

“I get why you think we can’t be friends,” he began as we walked toward my car. “I was a jerk all those years ago and a jerk when we met up again. There’s nothing I can say in defense of how I acted either time. I don’t deserve a chance, but I’m still asking for one.”

When we reached my car, I turned to give him my answer. “I don’t know.”

Decisive was my middle name. At least, it was when it came to matters that didn’t involve Austin. He confused me—a fact that annoyed me.

He didn’t look happy with my answer, but he didn’t argue. “I understand. I’ll have Harley text you my number. Call me if you want to talk.”

“Wow!” I said with a shake of my head as I opened the car door.

“Wow what?” he asked.

“I didn’t expect it to be this easy to get you to accept my no,” I admitted.

“You didn’t say no,” he reminded me. “What you said was, maybe.”

“You’re right,” I agreed. “I expected you to think of it as a no.”

“I’ve learned the importance of being patient.” His gaze drifted to my lips where it lingered as he continued. “Sometimes it’s better to wait for what you want. It helps build anticipation.”

I almost asked if he was trying to seduce me, but I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer. Part of me wanted him to seduce me. Apparently, I never learned when it came to Austin. That alone was a good reason to tell him we couldn’t be friends, but I didn’t.

“Thank you for walking me to my car,” I said before sliding behind the wheel.

His voice was rough when he responded. “My pleasure.”

Austin was dangerous. Calling him was a bad idea, yet I wondered if I’d be able to resist the temptation.

“I can do this,” I told myself. “I’m not the same girl who was in love with Austin. Just because I still find him attractive doesn’t mean he has the power to hurt me.”