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“Willow’s coming late afternoon tomorrow and I have to…” She pauses and I lean forward, desperate to hear what she has to say.
What, Pippa? What?My heart thumps in my chest as a million thoughts run through my head. Just the mention of Willow’s name has me completely spiraling, and now she’s cominghere. To San Francisco.
Within seconds, the angel and devil that have attached themselves to my shoulder go to war. The angel tells me to leave Willow be. To wait for her to make the first move. To give her peace. Like she wanted. But the devil saysfuck that, if she’s coming here, she knows exactly what she’s doing, and it’s time to talk. Of course, the devil is going to win—Willow wouldn’t expect otherwise—but it kills me to know that talking to her is only going to make things worse. If she hates me now, that’s nothing compared to how she’ll feel when she knows the truth.
“We should talk about this later,” Ryan says, cutting into my thoughts as he stops Pippa from saying any more, knowing I’m going to round the corner any second.
Pippa’s silent for a beat before I hear her shuffle around. “Um, okay, sorry. I’ll leave you alone.”
Typical Pippa, she doesn’t even wait to hear him out.
“Pip.”
I don’t have to look to know she’s shaking her head as she backs away. “It’s fine. See you later.”
I could cut in and get him out of the bind, but if I want information from Pippa, I need to wait. If she knows I heard about Willow, she’ll avoid me more than she already does. And I can’t have that. I need to see Willow and for that, I need Pippa.
When she’s gone, I wander around the corner to find Ryan waiting for me, his hands over his face. When I clear my throat, he drops his arms.
“Dammit!” he says before mumbling something to himself.
“What’s the matter, Blakey?” I ask, playing the part of an innocent man, my spirits suddenly lifting.
Ryan shakes his head before I’ve even finished speaking, a look of shock on his face. “You’re smiling. You don’teversmile.”
I am.I hadn’t even noticed. But now that I think of it, I know why. I’m fucking proud of Buttercup. She may despise the very sight of me, but she’s taking a huge step, getting her life back. And that little part of this entire fucked-up situation makes me happy.
“Busted.” I shrug, even though I no longer recognize myself.
“I don’t know the details, man. But please don’t cause trouble.”
My brows rise as I stare him down, trying hard not to tell him to mind his own goddamn business. Instead, I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re referring to. Keep quiet, and all will be fine.”
The next day, I lean against the wall opposite Pippa’s office, with my arms folded over my chest, waiting for my moment. She said Willow would be arriving late afternoon, so I’m here for details. I want in. I want to be there.
Something crashes behind her closed door before she releases a string of curses and the door flies open.
After lifting her bag to her shoulder, she checks her phone and curses again before finally looking my way, jumping at the sight of me. “Jesus!”
“Nope. I am definitely not holy.”
“What do you want, Jesse?”
I push off the wall and take a step toward her. “I want to cash in onmyfavor,” I say, the idea only now popping into my head. And fuck, it’s a good one.
Pippa eyes me in confusion, her brow furrowed until a light bulb goes off and I see the moment everything registers. “Goddammit. How’d you find out?”
I bark out a laugh as she completely deflates in front of me. “I overheard you telling Ryan. He knew I’d be coming soon so he was trying to get you to stop talking.”
“Again. Goddammit. The answer is no. No matter what the question is.”
“Pippa. Pippa. Pippa. You owe me.”
“Yes, but this isn’t about me. I’ve got to go.”
She pushes past and rushes down the hall, assuming that’s the end of it. I admire her for holding strong, but I can’t let this go. I’m a desperate man. I don’t know when I turned into that guy, but Willow fucking owns me. And I just need to make sure she’s okay.
“Let me come with you,” I say, stopping short of demanding.
