As much as I wanted to push for deeper personal things, I knew in my gut this was the right pace. The heavier questions would come with time. Besides, I was enjoying getting to know her. Most women I met were eager to jump into bed with me, leaving the knowing part for later—or never.
I’d only asked once about the entire PERL situation. I’d casually questioned why she’d gone to the show. Her response was brief. She claimed her friend had convinced her to tag along, but it wasn’t really her scene.
I was curious—who was this friend? Could it be someoneelse on our suspect list? I didn’t want to be too forward, so I’d left it alone for now. As she warmed to me, I figured I could sneak in a few more questions when it made sense.
I dug my phone out of my pocket.
Me:What are you up to?
I watched her stop reading, a phone now glowing in her hand.
Sybil:Reading.
Me:Reading what?
She sent me a picture of the book cover. It definitely resembled a romance.
Me:Looks suggestive.
Sybil:?? ?? ??Ê
Me:Are those peppers, or are they supposed to indicate something else? A little bent, though.
Sybil:What, no! OMG. NO. You’re thinking of the eggplant emoji.
I chuckled at her reply. I’d baited that kind of response out of her on purpose. She was fun to tease.
Sybil:They rate romance books with chili peppers. The more peppers, the hotter it is. Usually, fivemeans the hottest.
Me:Have you read a five before?
Sybil:Plenty.
I shifted in my armchair. Bee read a few romance books, but I’d never once cracked the cover. I wondered just how graphic they were. Surely not that bad, right? My curiosity piqued, and I made a note to raid Bee’s bookshelves later.
Me:Are there any you’d recommend?
Sybil:Probably one that’s a dual point of view. I feel like that can appeal to both men and women. You should try The Montana Man series. It’s more rugged. You’d like that.
Me:You think I’m rugged?
Sybil:New York rugged, maybe, like in a City Slickers sense.
I chuckled.
“You are such acreeper,”Bee’s voice cut the silence, and I turned in her direction, setting the phone into my lap. She was at my office door, poking her head in.
I rolled my eyes. She had a satisfied look on her face, pleased with herself for catching me once again spying across the street.
“Sorry I haven’t been around this week,” she said as she entered the room. She moved next to me and looked out the window—seeing what I was.
I turned back to the window as well, gaze resting on Sybil’s porcelain legs. Sybil had picked upher book, abandoning her phone and our conversation.
I took a small sip of Scotch before offering Bee a taste. She declined. “Sybil said you’ve been talking to her,” I ventured.
Bee nodded with a mischievous smile on her face. “I had to check a few people off the list. So, I tested her.”
“I hope you didn’t harass her.” I recalled our conversation about ambushing people on the street.
