"I like picturing you flushed and nervous."
"And wanting?"
"Yeah, but I like that in a different way."
"I'm not—"
"Dishonorable enough to lie."
She laughs. "I admit nothing."
"That's as good as an admission."
"If you say so." Her voices brightens. "I was getting worried you wouldn't call."
"Yeah?"
"That you changed your mind, realized what a mess this is."
I shake my head. "I've known what a mess this is."
"But still..."
"I won't change my mind about this, Piper. I've been looking forward to hearing your voice all day."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Can I use that somehow?" She laughs. "Get you under my thumb?"
"You'd use me?"
"No..."
"Dishonorable," I tease.
"I wouldn't." Her voice gets low, sincere. "You know that, right?"
I do. Maybe I'm a fool, but I believe everything she tells me. "I trust you." I trust her more than I trust anyone.
"I've been thinking about the summer, about where I want to work. I have to decide if I want to go to Europe. Mal re-invited me."
"You don't want two weeks in Europe with me?"
"It's three."
"Even better."
"It's not with you. It's with the band. You'll be busy or we'll have an audience all day."
"I'll still be in my hotel room every night."
"After you finish playing." She lets out a low sigh. "I'd like to be in your hotel room every night. Or right now. Or I... Um... I have no idea how to start this."
Fuck, she's cute. I better torment her. "Where are you thinking about working?"