“Well, you see, baby sister, when two people love each other—”
“You’re such a pain.” She followed Piper into the dimly lit bar. Music filled the air, and the scent of alcohol and relief from the end of a long day surrounded them.
“A pain that’s saving your butt. Bridgette called and said you were nervous about showing up by yourself.” Piper flashed a cheesy smile. “I’m never nervous. I’ve got your back. I even put on respectable clothes.”
“Oh my God, I love you,” Willow whispered, quickly glancing at Piper’s off-the-shoulder white top and tight jeans with fashionable worn spots on the thighs and knees. “You look amazing. I wish I didn’t have to wear a bra. You’re so lucky, and I am way too nervous.” Standing just inside the door, she fidgeted with the neckline of her blouse. “Is this too low-cut?”
Piper laughed. “Don’t you think it’s funny that we wish we had each other’s bodies? You’re gorgeous, and your man apparently thinks so, too.” She nodded toward Zane, heading in their direction with a proprietary look in his eyes.
“God, Pipe. My heart is going crazy over him.”
“Please don’t drool,” Piper said. “It’s embarrassing.”
“Hey, Piper,” Zane said as he slid a hand around Willow’s waist. “Thanks for your help with the lights the other day.”
“No prob.” Piper glanced at Patch. “Who’s that tatted-up morsel over there?”
“That’s Patch. Zane’s assistant,” Willow explained.
“Damn.” Piper ran her fingers through her hair. “Scruffy, tatted, with a face like chiseled granite, and only in town temporarily. He might be the perfect man. Mind if I take your seat at the bar, Zane? You do owe me one.”
She was already on her way to the bar when Zane said, “Who am I to stand in your way?”
He leaned down for a kiss and wrapped his arms around Willow’s waist, giving her his full attention. “Hey, beautiful. I missed you today.”
“I missed you, too. Piper helped you?”
“She made the wooden sign hanging from your balcony and helped me string the lights. She was pretty cool. I think I’m growing on her.” He eyed the people around them. “Every man in here is checking you out in those sexy heels and skintight pants. It should be illegal to look that sinful.”
She laughed, but inside she was gobbling up his praise. “Hardly. They’re probably checking you out. Buy me a drink before Piper scares Patch away.”
“Congratulations, soon-to-be Mrs. Walker.” Patch stepped from the stool and hugged Willow. He was as tall as Zane, with colorful tattoo sleeves, a few days’ scruff, and shaggy brown hair. With his low-riding jeans and gray T-shirt, he looked like he’d just climbed off his motorcycle or belonged in a hipster café.
“Yeah, about that.” She lowered her voice so Piper wouldn’t hear her, although her sister was busy talking with Harley. “I have a bone to pick with you, Patrick Carter.”
Patch sat on the stool between her and Piper.
“I’m going to run to the men’s room while you two catch up.” Zane gave her a chaste kiss and headed for the rear of the bar.
“Hey,” Patch said, holding his hands up, “I only do what I’m told by the big man. But for the record”—he leaned closer—“when he came up with this crazy scheme, I suggested he ask someone else because you two are such good friends. But Zane would have no part of it. I guess it all worked out for the best.”
“Wait. What do you mean he came up with it? What about all that stuff about cleaning up his rep and the focus group?” She stole another glance at Piper. Harley was leaning across the bar, saying something for Piper’s ears only, and Willow wondered if what Bridgette had said was true.
“That’s true. They wanted him to act like he had a long-term girlfriend, lie low on the social scene. But the whole”—he lowered his voice to a whisper—“fake fiancée thing was his idea.”
“I’m so confused.” She wasn’t sure if she should be flattered that Zane only wanted her, or hurt that he’d led her to believe this ruse was a necessity.
Patch turned his back to Piper and spoke fast. “He needed to clean up his rep, but he refused to spend any length of time with any woman but you. There was never any question, Willow. It was you or no one, which makes perfect sense. I mean, whose picture does he have in his bedroom?”
Her mouth dropped open. Her picture was in his bedroom? Just like in the story he’d told her about their fake trip to Washington.
“You didn’t know?”
She shook her head. “I bet all those other girls loved that.”
“What are you talking about? It’s like we’re talking about two different guys. He never takes women to his house.” His eyes widened. “Wait. I assumed you’d been there. No?”
“I hadn’t even been on a plane until the other night. Besides, I’d probably get lost in his mansion.”
Patch laughed. “If he had one, maybe. He could own five mansions, but he lives in a modest three-bedroom home tucked away from everything.”
He glanced over her shoulder just as she felt Zane’s hand land on it. She bristled, and hated herself for it. Her head was spinning, and not just because of what she’d learned about the fake engagement or the photograph, but also because the impression she’d had of Zane had been all wrong. They needed to talk, but she couldn’t exactly drag him away from Patch.
“Is this guy bugging you, babe?” Zane kissed her cheek and climbed onto the stool beside her.
Willow managed a smile. “No. I’m good.” She leaned over the bar. “Harley? Can I get a whiskey? Neat?”
“Uh-oh.” Piper leaned around Patch. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just thirsty.”
Piper and Zane exchanged a disbelieving look.
Harley puffed out his massive chest and set her drink across the bar, eyeing Patch and Zane. “Everything cool here, Willow?”
If by “cool” you mean I feel like I’ve been shaken up and uncorked. Yeah. Totally cool. “Yes, thank you.”
“NOW I’M IN a quandary.” Piper’s eyes moved between Willow and Patch, making Zane’s gut clench. “I’ve got this hot guy sitting next to me who should be buying me a drink. But based on the fact that my sister has just downed her I’m-so-pissed-or-confused-I-can’t-see-straight drink, I’m thinking I might need to deck you. Which would be a total shame, given that you have such a handsome face.”
What did I miss? “All right. What the hell’s going on? Patch? Willow? Someone’s going to give me the lowdown.”
“There is no lowdown.” Willow slid off the stool and took his hand. “I was nervous about seeing you kiss your leading lady, and the drink took the edge off. Now dance with me so Patch can buy Piper a drink.”
She dragged him to the dance floor and wound her arms around his neck, but he could feel tension in her body.
“Wills, what just happened?”