Though Levi teased, Piper knew he’d love it if she could be at every game, home and away. He wasn’t as sure of himself as he wanted her to believe. He’d get there, she was certain. But for now, he needed her support more than ever.
“That’s a big, hell no,” Piper said. She placed his hand on the spot above her heart. “Call me. Anytime. Don’t worry. I’ll watch. Every play, every down, every successful long bomb.”
“Long bomb. Listen to you, showing off your knowledge of football slang.”
Levi grinned like a proud parent.
“Don’t be fooled,” Piper warned. I still don’t understand the game’s appeal. But since my guy is the starting quarterback, football has become required viewing.”
With a whoop, Levi set Piper on the chair, rushed across the room and flung open the window.
“Hey, Seattle!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “I’m Piper Winslow’s guy!”
“Oh, brother,” Piper snorted. “Pull your head in before someone calls the police.”
Levi ignored her.
“Me. Levi Reynolds. I! Am! Piper’s! Man!”
Piper winced when Levi used his name. Didn’t he know that after yesterday’s game, he was on everyone’s radar? At least the radar of every football fan in the greater Seattle area. Right now, some industrious person might be recording his tomfoolery, for posterity and social media outlets everywhere.
Before Piper could warn him, Levi shut the window. With three long strides, he lifted her into his arms and headed toward the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Celebrating.” Levi tossed her onto the bed, following close behind. He kissed her breathless. “Any objections?”
Piper pretended to contemplate her answer while she divested Levi of his t-shirt. If she were blessed with the sight of his spectacular body every day for the next hundred years, she would beg for another hundred. At least.
“Am I a fool?” she asked, running her hands down and across his mouthwateringly defined six-pack of abs.
“No, you are not,” Levi assured her as he opened her robe.
“There’s your answer,” Piper said, welcoming him into her arms. “No objections. Not even one.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
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PIPER THUMBED THROUGH the latest copy of Vogue as she waited for Erin Ashmore to arrive. She felt a little guilty using their friendship to wheedle herself an unscheduled appointment, but sometimes you had to do what you had to do.
Setting aside the publication, Piper reached for People magazine, ready to move on from what was hot in fashion to the latest Hollywood gossip. Just then, there was a light knock on the exam room door. A second later, Erin entered wearing her white doctor’s coat and a welcoming smile,
“Hello, Piper.” Erin squirted two pumps of hand sanitizer onto the palm of one hand. “What a surprise. I hope nothing’s wrong.”
“Physically, mentally, professionally, personally, everything is good.”
“That’s a lot of good.” Erin laughed. She tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Then what can I do for you.”
“I know you’re crazy busy.” Piper felt another twinge of guilt. “Thank you for fitting me in at the last minute.”
Erin crossed her legs. On her feet, she wore a pair of bright pink running shoes. The white swish on the side was decorated with pink ribbons.
“Since when are any of the people in our circle too busy for a friend?” Erin said, waving off Piper’s apology.
Piper nodded. She was lucky. No, she was blessed to be close to a group of people who were so generous with their time and company. Best of all, they were fun. When they got together, they laughed. All the time.
“I want to update the prescription for my birth control pills.” Piper smiled when she thought of the reason. “More important, I’d like you to check and make certain I’m clean of any STDs.”
“Not a problem.” Her demeanor calm, yet understanding, Erin nodded. Her bedside manner was excellent—the best. She glanced at Piper’s chart. “We did a blood test during your yearly exam. You were clean. Do you have any reason to think things have changed?”
“No. I’m always careful to use a condom on top of the pill,” Piper said. “Besides, my sex life has been on hold for the past few months.”
“Everyone goes through a dry spell,” Erin commiserated. “Whether by choice or circumstance.”
“Mine was definitely by choice.” Piper grimaced when she thought of the men she turned down. Yikes! “Recently, I started a relationship. Exclusive. Before we stop using condoms, I want to make certain I won’t pass anything along.”
“You and Levi finally made the move?” When Piper blinked in surprise, Erin grinned. “Your chemistry sizzles. I get a contact sex buzz whenever the two of you are in a room together.”
At a loss for words, Piper felt her cheeks heat.
“Don’t be embarrassed,” Erin said. “You’re lucky. All the time you spent getting to know each other is a bonus. Makes sense that the friends to lovers tropes are so popular in fiction.”
“What about you?” Piper asked. “Your best friend is a hotty. And a football player. I can attest to the fact that the two things combined make a heady combination.”
“Finn? And me?” Erin laughed so hard that tears came to her eyes. “Can you imagine having a romance with someone you once babysat?”
“When he’s as charming and sexy as Finn Gallagher? Yes, I can.” Piper heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I suppose the fact that he lives in Chicago would put a crimp in the plan.”
“Finn is like a sometimes annoying but always lovable kid brother,” Erin said with an easy smile. “Now, let’s get you taken care of. I’ll send my nurse in to take some blood.”
“Thanks, Erin.”
They exchanged hugs.
“I’m sure the tests will be negative, but you’re smart to check.” Erin paused before leaving. “Levi is getting tested, too. Right?”
“He’s with his personal doctor as we speak,” Piper assured her.
“Good man.” Erin nodded. “I’ll call you as soon as the results come in. Should be no more than a couple of days. Maybe we can meet for lunch.”
“We definitely should,” Piper agreed.
As she waited for the nurse, Piper thought about Erin’s words. She called Levi a good man. He was. The best she’d ever know. And, she thought with a happy shiver, he was all hers.
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
“DID YOU GET your blood test results?” Levi asked.
“Yes.” Piper blinked, calm on the outside, but jiggly with excitement inside. “How about you?”
“Heard from my doctor just before I left practice and headed home.”