“Sorry, you can’t use me to avoid Piper. Which you shouldn’t do, by the way.”
“I-I’m not?—”
“You are. What’s your deal with her anyway? Did something happen?”
“No.”
“Did she do something?”
“No.”
“Then she’s gonna freak out if you avoid her. Do you really want to be the reason she’s upset?”
“Dammit,” I said, scrubbing a hand over my face. “No. I don’t.”
“Then don’t be an idiot, and get over whatever the hell is going on.” She glanced at Piper. “Her coffee is empty, by the way. Go refill it and at least say hello.”
I eyed Piper, finally giving up on my quest to avoid her. She was typing frantically at her computer, a small frown on her face as she focused. It was the same expression she always had, but it made my chest warm. I liked her in many ways.
And if I managed to avoid her all day, I knew I’d miss her.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“You should say that more often.”
“Only when you’re actually right. It’s rare.”
“Rude,” she huffed, but then she made a shooing motion with her hand. I went to get Piper’s cup. She was locked in on whatever she was doing, and it didn’t feel right to disturb her.
Her cup was next to her hand, sitting empty on the edge of the table. I thought about saying hello, but I could get her coffee first so she could potentially finish whatever she was doing.
I reached for it, getting within an inch of her hand to grab it.
Piper reacted immediately, but not in the way I expected.
She let out the same yelp and jerked her hand away. Her entire body folded into the corner in a split second.
There was a beat of silence and our eyes met.
Hers were wide and it felt like she was looking through me, not at me.
I’d scared her.Me.
Dammit.
A moment passed where neither of us said anything. I had no idea what to do other than feel like an absolute asshole for scaring her like I did.
Why had I reached for anything? I should have asked first.
Piper blinked and seemed to finally recognize me. She was the first one to speak. “Oh, God. Theo. I’m so sorry.”
“No, I am.” I slowly shook my head. “I scared you, didn’t I?”
She opened her mouth and closed it. When she looked away, I knew the answer.
I made it back to my station before letting my frustration at myself show. The last thing I wanted to do was make her think I was upset at her. This was all on me.
Not only had I failed at not thinking of her the night before, I’d gone and scared her today.
