She leaned forward, putting her palms on the desk. “This is truly one of the most awkward conversations I’ve had in ages. Since it is so awkward, I think you’re going to owe me. Tit for tat. I want to know how many lovers you’ve had, Eric.”

He blinked at her.

“No? Maybe later? I think later, yes.” She sighed. Her fingers tapped on his desk. “Two. I’ve had two lovers because I don’t just sleep with anyone, all right? You know I am super picky with my food. Did you think I’d be different with my lovers?”

Eric’s face seemed to have been carved from absolute stone. But his eyes sure were dark. Even darker than normal.

“Next question?” Piper pushed as she glanced at Simon. “Can we have the next question, please?”

Simon coughed. “If not lovers, then how about guys you’ve dated? I’ll need a list of those individuals.”

“Sure.” Dating was fun. She liked getting to know people. Liked dancing and dining out. But if there wasn’t a connection, she didn’t go past the dating stage.

I sure felt a connection with Eric last night. Despite the madness in her life, she’d felt a connection that had left her knees shaking.

“I should get a list of your employees, too,” Simon mused. “Everyone at your gallery. Friends, then casual acquaintances as we broaden the circle around you.”

Her temples were throbbing. “This is going to take forever.”

Simon just nodded.

So she got started. “Fine, the last guy I dated was Mark Rogue.” Piper glanced over at the laptop. “He owns a tattoo shop close to the gallery. It’s called Go Rogue.”

“Is that how you met?” Simon asked, not looking up. “You ran into him one day on your way to the gallery?”

For the first time that day, she laughed, the warm sound slipping out of her. “Of course, not. I met Mark when I got my tattoo.”

“Fuck me.”

Her gaze snapped to Eric. “Excuse me?”

Eric rubbed his eyes. And clenched his jaw. “Where is the tattoo?”

“It’s on my ankle. Can’t believe you haven’t seen it. Guess you just don’t pay enough attention to me.”

“Piper.”

“It’s a small half moon. I got it when I opened my gallery. My gallery is called Moonlight, and opening it was the most important thing I’ve done. I wanted something to remember the moment by, so I got the tat.” She smiled. Then got back to business. “Before Mark, I dated Carmen Bright. He’s a boxer down at White’s Gym.”

Simon’s head snapped toward her. “He’s in line for the championship fight.”

Yes, he was.

“Then there was Tony Lovett. Great cook.” He had a restaurant in Atlanta that was booming and a new cable TV cooking show. She tapped her chin. “Before him, let me see…”

Eric growled.