Blended Ch 21

Someone’s sunshine indie playlist fails to drown out the banging of hammers and whirring of tools. Sawdust tickles Piper’s nose as she and Riley climb out of the CRV. Bella is with other sensibly-dressed, responsible-looking people. They’re mostly college students, but there are some older volunteers.

There’s no need to track Graham down; he spots them before they can even catch Bella’s attention.

“Hi,” he says, pulling off his gloves. He’s tall and more organically hunky than Flynn with his love handles and big forearms. A lot of guys wear plaid shirts, but Graham pulls it off best. There’s a lot about him to like, but there’s also an aloofness that Piper isn’t sure about. It’s tempting to put on an act that matches her outfit, but she doesn’t.

“Hi. How much would it hurt your feelings if we told you we were here for Flynn?” Piper asks.

“I’m used to it. If I wasn’t friends with Flynn, nobody would ever notice me,” Graham says easily. “Hi, Riley.”

“Hi.”

“We’ll trade our labor for information so we don’t look bad,” Piper assures him.

“I think you look good no matter what you do.”

A few years ago, Piper would have folded to this without resistance. “Isn’t it against volunteer bushido to flirt on the job?”

Graham stays locked in. “Are you kidding? Half the reason we do this stuff is to meet people. See? I can be honest too.”

“Uh huh. What are we doing?”

“Insulation. I’ll get you some gloves and masks. Are you getting in line to ask for Flynn’s hand like all the other comely maidens? I’m not sure he’s ready to be tied down. I know you’re into that tradwife stuff.”

Piper smiles. “You’re a funny guy, Graham. I’ll kill you last.”

He shrugs. “Maybe something with ****?”

“I need him to repair some pipes and water damage and stuff,” Riley says.

“Not a euphemism,” Piper adds.

“He’s not a plumber,” Graham warns them, handing them masks.

“We need him to take a look,” Piper says. “Do you think he has time?”

“I think if you ask him, he’ll make time.”

BLENDED

The heat kills any charm that the volunteering experience might otherwise have. The people are nice, Piper likes learning new things, and there’s plenty of entertainment. Sometimes being self-conscious is Riley’s problem, and other times her problem is not being self-conscious enough. She doesn’t realize how distracting she is when she’s up on a ladder, and it’s fascinating to see how Graham handles himself.

Ash explains what went wrong with pouring the foundation while Piper holds a level for him, watching Graham and Carla operate a table saw. She spots Riley, who has been cornered by a rugged blonde with some tattoos on her muscled biceps. Piper sizes her up in a heartbeat, not that her intentions are difficult to read. This woman has a big cock in those cargo shorts, and she quite obviously wants to put it inside Piper’s stepsister.

“Ash, I need to go and do something.”

“Huh?”

“I have to go and screen Riley’s suitors.”

“Oh.” Ash looks over, then hisses through his teeth. Piper leans in. “That’s Meghan. She’s friends with Carla. She’s like an HVAC apprentice.”

Succinct, relevant information. “You’re the smartest guy in that house, Ash.”

“I know. Now who’s gonna hold the level?”

“I’ll be back,” Piper promises.