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"You know, a lot of the women you slept with had older brothers."
My eyes narrow. "You're not dating Kit."
She shrugs, playing cool. "Who said anything about dating? Maybe it's just a hookup. Maybe it's just one night of crazy sex."
I fold my arms. "That's not funny."
"Your eyes are about to bug out of your head."
"No fucking way, Piper."
She glares at me. "I'm an adult, and I'll do whatever I want." Piper presses her lips together. Frustration flares in her blue eyes. "But you're right. Kit and I are just friends. Every time I see him, he mentions how I'm like a sister to him. I get that he'll never see me that way."
I'm not sure about that, but it's best if Piper believes it. It's best if she gets over this crush right away so she can move on to a guy who won't break her heart.
If Kit does break her heart, I'll have to kill him, and that will be a fucking mess for all of us.
There's noise upstairs then the water is running.
Violet is up.
I try to change the subject to Piper's classes, but every time her phone buzzes, I have to fight my desire to threaten to smash the thing then to smash Kit's face.
Not letting him break her heart.
No fucking way.
Piper lights up as Violet walks down the stairs. "You want me to make some tea?"
"I can do it." Violet hugs Piper hello then she turns to me. "Why the tension?"
"Ethan's an idiot." Piper smiles at me. "But I know he means well, so I won't make his life miserable."
"That sums it up." Violet pulls me into a tight embrace.
Piper swoons. She mouths don't fuck it up to me.
"You sleep okay?" I ask.
"Perfect," she says. "I think I'm actually ready to do this today."
"You know we have to talk to your parents first?"
"Yeah, I know." She runs her fingers through my hair. "I'm hoping they're on board, because I have no idea how to convince them if they're not."
"What are you guys doing?" Piper asks.
"We're going to scatter my brother's ashes off the pier," Violet says. "It was Ethan's idea."
Piper swoons. Out of view of Violet, she shoots me a thumbs up. "That's the first smart thing he's done since he lost you."
Violet smiles. "He has his moments."
Violet presses her palm into mine as she knocks and unlocks the door to her parents' house. Her hand is clammy and she's trembling. I can't remember the last time I saw her this nervous.
I squeeze her hand. It calms her enough she stops shaking, but her expression stays fraught.
She squeezes back as she steps inside the door. "Hey, it's me."
