“I’ve read them all.”
“Even the ... What did she last bring up? The omegaverse?”
“Yes, even that. It changed my relationships with knots.”
I didn’t even want to know what that meant. “I mean this in the nicest way I can say it, but that tracks for you.”
Piper didn’t get offended. She only laughed.
“At least you’re not judging me. That would make this whole thing we have difficult.”
“‘This whole thing?’ Where you prey on my embarrassment and mention smut and dildos all the time?”
“Where I write here,” she clarified. “And you started it with bringing up Kerry’s dildo.”
“I regret it.”
“Good. I still won’t stop, though. You’d have to ask very nicely.”
I opened my mouth, and then shut it.
She smirked. “You like it, don’t you?”
“I’m not answering that. And I’m changing the subject.”
“Fine.” She crossed her arms. “What are you changing it to?”
“Will you still be coming in if you’re done with the book?”
“Aw, will you miss me?”
“Piper,” I warned.
She laughed again. “Fine. I’ll be serious. To answer yourquestion, yes. Most of writing is editing and I’ll have more of that. Plus, I want to start on something else.”
“You’re busy.”
“I’m behind. I used up all the books I had for a while, and now I need to build up all of my stuff again. Face it, Theo. You’re stuck with me.”
“I’ll have to figure out how to survive.” I turned to get back to cleaning. “You have a few minutes before I’m done.”
“Even with you going slow?”
“Yep.”
She nodded before her eyes went distant. She was silent for a long moment, clearly lost in thought. “Before you get started, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
I had no idea what it could be, and it terrified me that I didn’t know. “Need a cup of coffee for the road?” I asked slowly, hoping that was all it was.
“As tempting as that is, no. It’s something else.”
I took in the way she fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “If it’s another dark thing about your past, I may need a moment to prepare.”
“No, you know most of it. Hopefully this isn’t bad at all.”
“You’re nervous.”
“I am, but for good reason.” Piper took in a long breath. “Can I try something ... with you?”
