"Morty aside, how do you know Tess?" Piper asked, trying to keep her voice level.
"How do I know anything? It's vhat I do," Babushka shrugged. "She says she must approve all locations for publicity reasons and security reasons and lots of other reasons. I stopped listening."
"Babushka?" Zach prodded. "How do you know her, though?"
"Her grandmother is Peggy. Ve are friends." Babushka brushed a stray crumb off the tablecloth.
"Well, that's cozy, isn't it." Piper pursed her lips. How many more ways would her personal and professional life tangle until she couldn't tell where one ended and the other began?
"When is Tess planning to check the venue?" Zach asked.
"Tomorrow afternoon. Same time as your meeting with Drake and Anna. This is all very simple, really. You're complicating things vith questions."
Piper's mind raced. She'd specifically slotted this time to hear Anna and Drake's ideas without the noise of everyone else.
"I could go with you," Zach offered suddenly, his voice dropping lower as he leaned closer.
The offer hung in the air between them.
The thought of having him there, on her side playing defense? She could use his assistance.
"That's actually a good idea," Piper admitted.
"I have them occasionally," Zach replied in a way that made Piper believe he wasn't talking about weddings or venues or any of that.
Oh. Okay, then.
"I want you to succeed," he said simply, in a voice meant only for her.
"Then it's settled," Babushka watched the exchange with obvious interest, her eyes darting between them. "Yes, good plan. Ve all go."
"We all go," Zach agreed.
"Now, dessert." Babushka clapped her hands together. "I bring ptichye moloko."
"Bird's milk," Zach translated. "It's a souffle cake."
"Sounds amazing," Shelby said enthusiastically, standing to help Babushka.
As they bustled to the kitchen, Zach leaned closer to Piper.
"I'm sorry about this," he whispered. "She's a force of nature."
"I noticed," Piper replied. "Is your entire family this invasive?"
"Afraid so. Anna and I are actually the calm ones."
"Oh," Piper muttered.
"Look on the bright side," Zach offered, his voice low and surprisingly kind. "At least Babushka likes you."
"How can you tell?"
"She fed you," he said simply. "Babushka only feeds people she approves of."
Despite herself, Piper experienced a small glow of satisfaction.
"And for what it's worth," Zach added, his voice dropping, "I never compared you to a horse. But I did tell Anna that you're the most competent person I've ever met. Also, one of the most stubborn."
