I was so torn. Usually, I could tell myself no and live with it. She was different, though. So different it made me want to throw myself into the fire and let myself love her, even though everything could fall apart.
My answer came out of me before I could stop it. “All right then. I guess we’re doing ...this.”
Piper blinked. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Okay, uh—” She paused. “I’ll be honest, I don’t know what’s next.”
I laughed. “Neither do I.”
“Today was long. Would it be terrible if we just watched a movie?”
I rubbed my eyes. “Can it be a TV show? I feel like I’m too exhausted for a movie.”
She nodded and nearly darted over to the TV. I followed slowly, waiting for the regret to hit me.
It never did.
Kelsey had only just put her apron on when the words blew out of me.
“We need to adjust the schedule.”
She paused and then blinked. “Okay. Whatever you need. Are you planning on cutting my hours or something?”
She seemed nervous, and I didn’t blame her. I kept us on a similar schedule for months. And technically, what we did worked.
But there was a new thing for me to adjust to.
“No, not at all. I was considering giving you more.”
Her shoulders slumped. “Thank fuck. I’ll take all the hours you’re planning on giving me.”
“Good. Because I need time off.”
She frowned. “You need time off ... regularly?”
“Yes.”
“For what?”
“For . . . Piper.”
Kelsey’s eyes lit up. “Really? Are you guys hanging out more now?”
“Yeah, we are.”
“And are you together?”
I tensed. That had technically been left undefined, but not by Piper.
“We’re seeing where things go.”
“Yes!” she said, pumping her fist. “I knew this would happen.Finally.”
“Don’t get too excited,” I rushed to remind her. “It may go nowhere.”
She only laughed. “I’ve had to watch the two of you stare at each other for way too long. There isno wayit goes nowhere. Come on. Let’s go figure out the new schedule for you and your girlfriend.”
