I stepped onto the landing without hesitation, my body crowding hers as I pulled the door closed behind me and listened for the electronic lock to engage. “That’s all you had to say.”
Having Lo inmy car was a mistake for a lot of reasons—the top one being trapped in a small, enclosed space with her was just torturing myself at that point.
Maybe Glitch was on to something.
Maybe I did like to edge myself.
She’d tried to insist we drive separately or take her sedan, and the longer we drove, the more I thought we should’ve. At least then my car wouldn’t be left smelling like fruit and cream for God knew how long.
And if I was in my car by myself, the silence would be normal.
’Cause other than muttering something about how she should’ve known the shiny blue car was mine, Lo hadn’t said shit.
That bothered me more than it should’ve.
I didn’t mind silence. I spent most of my time surrounded by loud music, a blend of conversations, and forced smiles at Rye. A little peace was nice when I could get it.
But Lo’s silence wasn’t peaceful. It was strained and tense. She didn’t fidget like she had at my place, but she sat so still, it was like she was trying to mold herself to the seat.
Like she was uneasy about being alone with me.
I liked the rare occasion I’d been able to catch her off guard. When she startled, and her beautiful eyes went wide. I liked it all the more because I got the distinct impression she was seldom caught unaware, and when she was, her blank expression likely hid any sign of it. But I’d gotten wide eyes and parted lips more than once.
I shouldn’t, but I liked knowing I made her off-kilter.
But I didn’t want her uneasy.
“You gonna tell me what’s going through your head right now?” I asked when I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Nothing really.” Might not have rambled or forced a smile and a chipper tone to cover it, but it was still a lie.
“Lo.”
I didn’t think that would work, but at the firmness in the one word, she inhaled. “I’m worried that seeing me is going to drag up bad memories for Miss—I mean, Mrs. Hyde. Having the pictures will be helpful, but not if the trade-off is retraumatizing her.”
“Piper is Teflon.” At her lowered brows, I explained. “Nothing sticks to her. She lets the bad roll off and keeps the good close.”
Lo remained silent for a few stretching seconds before quietly stating, “You like her.”
It wasn’t a question, but I answered it anyway. “She’s hard not to like. Especially if she decides you’re part of her circle. Then you’re in for life, and that exclusive club comes with cookies.”
I could feel her stare, and after I slowed to a stop at a red light, I looked over to study her right back.
I got nothing. No questions. No arched brow, smirk, or frown.
Her face was blank, and that bothered me almost as much as her silence.
“You play poker?” I asked as I started driving again.
“No, why?”
“You should. You’d clean up.”
She let out a soft laugh before that silence sank between us again.
“Point is, you don’t need to worry about upsetting Piper. She’s in a good place. But can I give you a piece of advice?”
“Please.”
