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The molding around the door was intricately carved, the tilework detailed and artistic, and the shower appeared to have been hand-built, one flat stone at a time. "Did he do this himself?" she asked the dog as she set her supplies on the sink.
Declan had mentioned that he'd rehabbed the house himself, but this was truly extraordinary. "If he did this, he's an artistic genius." Piper couldn’t wrap her head around her grumpy, reclusive landlord having the vision to create something so beautiful.
Maybe he hadn't. Maybe he'd hired someone. Or maybe he was so much more than she'd realized…
Not that it mattered who he might be. Their relationship wasn't personal and never would be. Which was fine. Right now, she had time for only one focus: finding her way past the catastrophic damage she'd done to her life and her career. She didn't have time for Declan or any other man. Not today, and quite frankly, ever.
She'd learned her lesson.
But shewouldthoroughly enjoy his shower, his dog, and his tilework, and then she'd get back to finding the elusive emergency solution that would fix her life.
Well, not herlife. That was a big ask.
She'd go with fixing the situation with April as a start.
The world could be conquered one bride at a time, right?
Her phone rang as she turned on the shower. She looked down and saw it was her friend Tori Cardenas. She picked up, because she knew all her friends were worried about her after the fiasco of yesterday. "Hey, I'm getting in the shower?—"
"How are you doing, sweetie?"
Sudden tears filled Piper's eyes at the sound of a friendly voice. "I got fired by two brides today."
"Crap. Don't let them get to you. You did the right thing yesterday."
"I know." Piper took a breath. Yesterday's wedding had been the biggest one of the year for the tiny firm she worked for, and she was the one who was being blamed for what had happened. "April Hunsaker has called me three times today. She's trying to fire me. I'm avoiding her, but I don't know how to fix it."
"April? She's here."
"Here? Where?"
"I'm meeting Maddie and Keira at the French Quarter Bar and Grill," Tori said. "April's here with her friends. You want me to kneecap her? I'll do it for you, but you need to promise to come visit me in prison."
Piper laughed through the tears. "You deserve better than prison."
"I know, but saving my bestie might be worth it. Might be. I can't promise."
"I appreciate that you're even considering it."
"Always, babe. Seriously, though. You want me to talk to her?"
"What would you say?"
Tori paused. "That you're freaking amazing, and she's lucky to have you at her back. You think that would work?"
Piper smiled. "You're not fancy enough to convince her. Maddie's fiancé might be. Is Lucas coming tonight?" Lucas Hart was a cowboy billionaire who'd fallen madly in love with one oftheir squad, Maddie Vale. He was a celebrity, but he was one of the nicest, most loyal humans Piper had ever met. The whole Hart family was, actually. She was glad Maddie had found a place with them.
"Lucas is in Oregon at the Hart Ranch," Tori said. "He left earlier today. Those private jets are so damned handy. I want one."
Piper laughed again, her heart lightening the longer she spoke to Tori. "Me, too. Let's steal one."
"Great. I'll meet you at the airport in twenty."
"Perfect." The idea of heading off in a private jet made Piper smile. It was the kind of banter her mom would have loved. Her mom also would have told her to stop running away from April and find a way to fix it. "Look, I'm going to take a quick shower and then head over there. If April starts to leave, maybe stall her?"
"I'm on it. I'll throw myself on the ground in front of her and block her exit."
Piper grinned. "Subtlety is overrated."
