Chapter 2
PIPER
My grandmother hands me the television remote control to set on the coffee table. We just spent an hour watching her favorite soap and sipping our martinis in her living room.
“You know, I haven’t watched this in years and yet the same actors are still on there,” I remark as I hold my near-empty glass out to the side.
My grandmother plays with her pearl necklace. “It’s strangely comforting that I age with some of those characters. Anyways, what else is this old bat going to do?”
I chuckle at her thought. “What don’t you do? Symphony, tea with the ladies from your book club, giving the doorman an earful. And you’re not old. You haven’t hit eighty yet, you have a few more years, and besides, eighty is the new seventy. You’re hardly a dinosaur,” I assure her.
“Piper, I would prefer you tell me that I’m a frail old lady who needs to see her only granddaughter married one day soon.” She gives me a stern eye that only makes me smile more.
“I came here to spend quality time with you, my favorite senior citizen, and this is what I get?” I pretend to be offended.
She drinks every last drop of her drink before placing the glass on the side table which probably cost half my rent.
I can’t help but glance into my near-empty glass. The last time I had one of these was a few weeks ago on that night that will go down in my life’s history book as unforgettable and one of a kind.
Wild, magnetic, and I felt free.
I’ve never just hooked up with someone. For the first time in a long time, I felt an opportunity where I felt comfortable and grabbed it before I lost the chance.
I have zero regrets… okay, maybe one. But I don’t think too long about that.
“At least tell me that you’re having fun.
A woman with your looks who is as successful as you shouldn’t be spending nights alone.
” My face must look astonished that she’s prying into my sex life, but dear old grandmama has always been bold.
“Oh please, you think your grandfather—God rest his soul—was my first? Besides, I’ve seen your designs, and you must get your inspiration from somewhere. ”
“This conversation is not happening,” I lament.
“Oh, dear, don’t even try to hide the facts. You look like a woman who has seen more action than a Vegas showgirl.”
There must be a giddy look on my face. It’s because of Hudson and the moments from that night that have raced in and out of my head for the last few weeks. He had a command on me that I desire, and experience that I crave. Most of all, he could make me smile with our weird brand of humor.
Now I tip the glass to my lips and make it as dry as the Arizona desert. “It doesn’t matter. There is nobody to bring to Friday-night dinner. I’m too busy for a relationship anyway.”
“Piper, you’re never too busy to find a husband or wife, whatever you fancy. And I mean someone who is a real contender and worthy of you.” Her pointed look is the reminder of why I am perhaps hesitant, but she won’t let me dwell over her reference for long, and I too move past it.
I sigh and put down my glass. “I literally thought ‘oh, I could surprise my grandmother on this cloudy day with some cake and watch some soaps with her since I’ve worked hard all morning.’ I’m very much regretting my choice.”
She folds her hands together and places them on her lap, straightening her posture with a smirk on her face. “You’re right, dear. Tell me, how are your designs? Did you try the new supplier yet?”
I purse my lips, because as much as everything is going well business-wise, it’s a lot of to-do lists. “I think it’s going to work. I need to see how the fabric stretches over the wiring of the bra of the new bodysuits, but the short loungewear jumpsuits with lace are selling like hot cakes.”
My grandmother looks at me fondly. “I always knew you would carry on the tradition.”
Now that is praise I can appreciate. Going back generations, my family came to the US from Europe.
My great-grandfather was a tailor, my grandmother a seamstress turned corporate dressmaker, and she made a lot of money too.
My mother skipped the tradition altogether, and well, me?
I’m making my own path. I don’t even use my grandmother’s name, even though it would have given me an extra boost. Instead, I’m stuck with my father’s last name.
I’m Piper Dapper—it has a melody and makes me crazy at the same time.
I admire my grandmother; I grew up watching her pick beautiful fabrics while someone with a notebook would follow her around taking instruction.
It rubbed off on me, and somewhere in college, I started designing comfortable pajamas with cute prints and the epitome of loungewear, but then…
I started a special line of lingerie. My parents nearly spit out their wine at that family dinner when I told everyone, while my grandmother just clapped her hands together in celebration.
“I might need your help. I promised April I would design her wedding dress. She wants simple but elegant.”
April is my best friend whom I met two years ago.
April works in accounting, hates it, and is way too bubbly to be sitting behind a desk.
We met in a jewelry-making workshop, and both realized we had no talent for bracelets, so instead, skipped the class and went for coffee instead.
Over cupcakes and lattes, our friendship was solidified.
“She’s engaged?”
I nod. “Yes. It happened a few weeks ago.” While I was being fucked senseless. “They’ve been dating for a year, he’s a lawyer.”
“That’s wonderful. Send her my congratulations and ask her where I should send the money to ensure she throws you the bouquet at the wedding.” She’s teasing me again.
I stand up, knowing I need to get going if I have any chance of meeting April for smoothies later. Then again, I probably shouldn’t have had a martini at this time of day either. But everything is about balance.
My grandmother follows me as I make my way through her penthouse, past statues and art, until we reach her front door.
“You know I still have contacts at the big department stores if you want an in,” she casually mentions.
“My answer is still no. The future is online stores, and plus, I would be much happier with a boutique anyhow,” I remind her as I throw my purse strap over my shoulder.
We hug goodbye, and I’m on my merry way after I promise to visit again next week.
When I’m in the elevator going down, I smile to myself. Partly because a flashback hits me of being wrapped in a tangled mess of arms and limbs.
Then my mind remembers the way Hudson took me from behind while I held onto the bed for dear life. And fuck me, that man has a mouth that would make a hooker blush.
It was a good night.
A great night.
Excellent.
All the more reason why I hate myself for leaving before he even woke.
I find myself watching my friend approach the table.
“Has something happened, Ginger?” Only April can get away with calling me Ginger, a nickname that she insists on. My friend slides onto the seat in front of me. She has two smoothies in to-go cups and offers me the peanut-butter-banana one.
Quickly I sip from the straw before I burst with a reply that’s been running in my head for weeks. “What do you mean?” I pretend that life is completely normal.
April slams her hand on the table, the strength of her amusement causing her blonde hair to fall around her grinning face. “Lately, you’ve been… daydreaming.”
I play with my straw and avoid looking at my best friend until I realize I will never be able to keep this from her. Originally, I said nothing because I wanted her to bask in her engagement and not steal the spotlight from her during our coffee chats.
“I kind of did something out of character a few weeks ago. On one night in particular.” I bite my inner lip and then glance up at her.
April just stares at me, and I wait to see if she connects the dots.
“With someone,” I clarify.
The moment she figures it out, her mouth gapes open. “No way!” I nod slowly. “Like, with a complete stranger?” She’s grinning, clearly invested in this conversation.
“Yes, total. It just kind of happened. It was a long day, and then I went for a drink, which I ended up needing for the liquid courage because that man was something. And let me tell you, he lives up to the cliché of an older man being demanding in the bedroom.”
Her eyes widen. “Older?”
I bob my head from side to side. “Yeah. I mean, he looks younger than he is, but I guess he is old enough to be my father.”
April nearly spits out her smoothie. “What in the world happened to you? I mean, this is like that thirst trap from the Sound of Music because we all know Christopher Plummer as the Captain is probably what’s fueling your need to sleep with an older man.”
My face squinches together. “Although a classic, I assure you that was not my motivation.”
She waves off my notion. “What else do you know about this guy?”
I debate telling her everything, but I know she would play detective in a heartbeat. “Not much. It’s the way it should be when it’s a one-night stand. Anyways, I doubt I’ll be seeing him again.”
“Why?”
I awkwardly look away. “Because… I left before he woke up.”
She slaps her hand onto her mouth in shock. “Who are you?”
Blowing out a breath, I wonder too. “I don’t really know why I did it.
I guess I was scared to face him in the morning.
It was a great night and maybe I didn’t want to deal with the disappointment that it was only that.
We both went into the evening knowing it was a one-time thing, and I’m not accustomed to that protocol, so I guess I freaked out. ”
“So, it wasn’t because of his skill set?” She flashes her eyes at me.
I can’t hide my smile. “I mean…” I look around to make sure nobody is watching and lean into the table. “Against the window, on the bed in three different positions, and he went down on me twice. It was unreal.”
April turns giddy. “You’re still able to walk?”
“It happened a few weeks ago, and I didn’t plan on ever telling you. Plus, you were in your engagement bliss,” I explain.
“Does he have a name?”
My voice begins to form the syllables, but I’m interrupted by April’s phone vibrating.
“Sorry, I need to take this. It’s the restaurant for the party.”
“It’s okay. I need to head out anyway.”
She answers her phone and touches my shoulder as she leaves the table because there is better reception out on the street. “I’ll see you tomorrow at 7pm, sharp,” she quickly whispers on the way out.
I salute her in response, relieved I didn’t need to say Hudson’s name, because then it would just remind me that the only thing I regret is not staying in the morning.