Page 131 of Playing Mr. Perfect

My family and friends shout their goodbyes and wave.

“Where are we going? And why does everyone know about this but me?” I ask, hurrying to keep up with Clay. “Whose helicopter is that?”

“Seth’s. He’s flying it.”

“Your brother is a pilot?”

“Overachievers run in our family. We’re going to meet my family in Ridgeport.”

I stop running, my heart thundering. “We’re meeting your family? Why didn’t you tell me? I’m a mess.”

The wind from the helicopter blades blows my hair around my face. He puts his hands on my cheeks, setting his excited blue eyes on me, talking over the noise. “You’re always beautiful. My family is going to be as crazy about you as I am, and our bag and coats are in the helicopter. It’s really hard to get my family in one place, and tonight is the debut of Flynn and Sutton’s Heart Stories documentaries. I want you with me when we surprise them. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it. I just didn’t want to freak you out.”

“News alert! I am freaking out!” My head is spinning, but my heart is reeling. “I’m glad you want me there, but next time something big comes up, can you please give me notice?”

“Noted! Let’s go.”

We head over to the helicopter, which is insanely loud. Clay helps me climb in and hands me headphones. We put them on, and as we settle into our seats and put on our seat belts, Seth turns to greet us. He’s got thick dark hair, and he’s wearing glasses and a freaking red #teamplay sweatshirt. “Welcome aboard Team Play,” he says through the headset.

“You, too?” I exclaim, turning wide eyes to Clay.

“Don’t look at me,” Clay says.

Seth laughs. “Dash left no stone unturned. It’s nice to meet you, Pepper. Let’s see if we can make this bird sing.”

I grab Clay’s hand as the helicopter rises into the air. “Are you sure he knows how to fly this thing?”

“I sure hope so!” Seth says through the headset.

“Oh my gosh. You heard that? I didn’t mean—”

Clay saves me with a hard press of his lips, and his brother’s deep voice comes through the headphones. “If clothes start coming off, I’m hitting the eject button.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Clay

“Another flight without a crash,” Seth jokes as we head off the tarmac toward the parking lot. “That makes two for two.”

Pepper’s eyes widen. “You’ve only flown that thing twice?” She looks at me, appalled, and too fucking pretty in her peacoat and the green and gold scarf I gave her.

“He’s kidding.” I shift our bag to my other hand and put my arm around her. “I’d never put you in danger.”

“That’s a lie,” Seth says. “You’re about to feed her to a lion.” He nods to Noah talking with our grandparents by a shiny black Navigator. Victory is pacing a few feet away, talking on her phone.

Noah looks over, flashing that boyish smile that melts women’s hearts, and their panties. “There they are!” He swaggers toward us in jeans and a puffy black jacket, his eyes gleaming with their usual mischief. His sandy hair is short on the sides, longer on top, and as windswept as Seth’s. “Clay, nice of you to bring me a gorgeous date.”

Seth laughs. “Told you.”

I shake my head, and my grandfather chuckles. Victory ends her call and struts purposefully over to join us, her dark hair spilling over the shoulders of her sleek brown coat.

“Hi,” Pepper says. “You must be Noah.”

“And you must be mine for the night,” Noah says as he draws her into an embrace.

“Dude, have a little respect,” I say.

“Did I just hear the pot calling the kettle black?” Victory asks.