Page 4 of Lead Me A Stray

“Rory, have you seen the—” Piper’s eyes widen and her lips part, and all I want to do is cover them with mine and kiss her until she’s panting and boneless and aching for me to be inside her.

But I can’t do any of that—yet—especially not with my sister here.

“I brought you a coffee,” I tell her, holding it out and letting out the breath I was holding when her fingers brush against mine. “Thanks for lettin’ me crash at your house last night.”

“Just because you have a key doesn’t mean?—”

“He has a key?” Rory asks, the question shrill and obviously looking for an answer, but Piper’s green eyes stay locked on me.

“How do you know my coffee order?”

“I know things.” I let my lips curve up into a slow smile and watch as the prettiest shade of pink colors her cheeks.

Why does she have to be so damn beautiful?

“No.” Rory’s finger waggles in front of my face, pulling me from the little trance I’d been in and unfortunately back to reality. “No. Both of you,no.”

“It’s really none of your concern.” My words are a slow drawl, meant to hide my irritation.

“It is and I don’t have enough vacation time to deal with it. Can we please get through the adoption event, and then I’ll goto the beach somewhere and y’all can do whatever it is you’re so hell-bent on?—”

“No one is hell-bent,” Piper snaps, her face flushed as her gaze bounces between us. “Oh my gosh. Stop—both of you.”

Her voice cracks on the last word, her eyes glassy as she takes a step back, away from us.

Away from me.

“Piper.”

“I have work to do. Thanks for the coffee.”

“I’m sorry,” my sister sighs out, “I didn’t—” But Piper has already hightailed it out of the lobby, leaving me nothing to do but stare after her and hope that my sister hasn’t blown my shot with her best friend.

3

PIPER

My house is usually my favorite place besides the shelter, but tonight it just feels lonely. I tried watching something on TV but all I can smell is Mack’s cologne wafting from the fabric of the couch. I wish it didn’t make my stomach flip but it still does—even after today.

My heart sinks as I replay what happened in my mind.

My best friend doesn’t think I can take care of myself, and her brother only wants in my pants.

Awesome.

Picking up my phone, I type out a text to my brother Levi who is more of a hot mess than I am and probably the only one who will commiserate with me. Our older sister, Ainsley, is a single mom, divorced, and trying desperately to get her life back on track while Levi’s twin, Dallas, is traveling the country and making a hell of a living coding for private contacts.

PIPER: Mack slept at my house last night

LEVI: DID YOU FINALLY BANG?

PIPER: I feel like that was completely unnecessary

PIPER: Also no

LEVI: Why the hell not?

PIPER: Because no. But also I guess he had to work late and then snuck in and crashed on my couch