Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,22

make direct eye contact with him so I’m not sucked into the vortex again.

“Don’t you think that in this day and age a child’s behavior is a direct reflection of their parents? Maybe not when they’re teenagers or older, but at this age?”

If anything, I’m snarky to people. Which he already knows.

“I don’t know about all that. I’m not that pleasant to be around, but Jade makes friends with everyone. She has her father’s charm. The difference is, she’s sincere.”

“I don’t think that’s true.” He slides his hands into his pockets and tilts his head to the side, studying me.

“I tend to push people away. Keep only a handful close. I’m sure Pete must’ve complained about it.”

Take the bait, Reed.

“I haven’t talked to Pete in years…we had a bit of a falling out.” Before I can latch onto that he continues, “I remember you being pretty accommodating.”

“Just what every woman wants to hear—that she’s accommodating.” My sarcastic tone only makes his smile wider and his eyes sparkle more. Damn it.

“Well, you’d have to be to deal with Pete.” His gaze moves up and down my body until he locks eyes with me. “Let’s catch up. Coffee?”

My mind is telling me to run. I’m not as accommodating as I used to be, Mr. Reed Warner.

“I have to get to work.”

He chuckles and sucks in his bottom lip, biting the corner.

Okay, that was a direct hit to the center of my thighs.

“Tomorrow?” he asks.

“How about I’ll call you?”

“You don’t have my number.” His eyebrows lift.

“I have a busy life.”

He says nothing. Just stands there and waits. Totally infuriating.

“What?” I snip.

“Just waiting to see how many excuses you have at the ready.” A shit-eating grin tips the corners of his lips up and I’m not sure whether I want to kiss it or smack it off his face.

“Don’t you have a girl—”

“Excuse me!” Darcie’s annoying voice interrupts me. “You.” She points to Reed.

He turns in her direction and points his thumb at himself. “Is she really talking to me like that?”

“Yep. Have fun with her.” I pat his arm, ignoring the bulge of his hard bicep and race down the sidewalk to catch my train.

Look at that, Darcie’s going to do my dirty work because she’ll probably bother him so badly he won’t come back to St. Pats’ drop-off again. At least I can hope.

My phone rings just as I step onto the train. “Hello?”

“Victoria.” Darcie barks my name like she’s the head nun at a Catholic high school and I’m showing cleavage.

“How did you get this number?”

“I have my connections,” she says, and I already know from her tone that she’s about to ruin my day.

“What’s up, Darcie?” I try to hide the irritation from my voice, but I’m not sure I’m entirely successful.

“I just found you a partner to help with the carnival event.”

I blow out a breath and find a seat in the back of the train. “I don’t need a partner.”

“Well, he would only help out if it meant that he could work with you.”

A million swear words set off like a round of fireworks in my head.

“You’re kidding me?”

She laughs. “I wish I was.” I detect a bite of jealousy in her tone. “If I was single…anyway, he requested you and we so rarely get fathers or father figures so in this case, I have to let him have what he wants. And for some reason, that’s you.”

I watch the city skyline getting closer out the window. “Who is he to Henry?” I ask.

She laughs and then I hear chatter behind her. I wish I was in front of her, so I could shake her shoulders and get her to focus on me.

“Oh, you’ll find out.”

“Henry’s mom’s boyfriend?” I ask.

“Nope. Ask for yourself. Gotta go. Oh, and I’m sending him your phone number right now.”

Click.

The line dies. Mother fucking hell. Am I trapped in some Mean Girls reunion movie?

I haven’t even tucked my phone back into my purse before it dings with a text. I’d ignore it if I wasn’t worried that it could be my mom needing me.

Unknown: Hey, it’s Reed. The stunning guy you just reacquainted yourself with twenty minutes ago. How about a nightcap tonight to brainstorm ideas for the carnival?

I add his contact information into my phone, so I don’t mistakenly answer again.

Me: Don’t you have a son to watch at night?

Reed: Nope.

Me: I don’t think your girlfriend would appreciate your invite. We can talk details over a morning coffee and that’s it.

Reed: ???

Reed: