After a long moment taking in Violet in my bed, I go through my usual morning routine and I head downstairs. It's early enough the sky is white—mornings by the beach are always dreary. Still, Piper is sitting at the kitchen island, sipping coffee and staring at her cell phone.
Who is she talking to?
She jumps to her feet when she sees me. "Those are Violet's shoes by the door." She pulls me into a tight hug. "Tell me you're back together." When I say nothing, she drops her voice to something serious. "I swear to God, Ethan, if you tell me some bullshit, I'm going to throw this coffee in your face."
I step back and cock an eyebrow.
"It's not hot enough to scar." She offers me a sip to prove my point.
"I believe you."
She pours a cup for me and pats the seat next to hers. "So…"
"It's not official yet."
"How old are you again?"
"You the expert on relationships now?" I ask.
"Would you really want to know if I was?"
No, I wouldn't.
"I've dated."
I clear my throat.
She rolls her eyes. "You're worse than Mal."
"No, I'm more obvious about it than Mal."
She shakes her head no fucking way, picks up her phone, and replies to a text.
"Someone you'd rather talk to?"
"Violet." She laughs. "She getting up anytime soon?"
"Not sure, we got in late."
Piper polishes off her coffee and gets up to pour another cup. "You want to go to breakfast or should I make oatmeal?"
"Make the oatmeal."
She nods and gets to fixing her beloved hot cereal. I don't know how she eats the stuff. It tastes like paste.
Piper's phone buzzes with another text. Then another. I try to keep my attention on my coffee—really, I do want to respect my sister's privacy—but her phone keeps buzzing.
The screen lights up.
That looks like it says Kit. But there's no fucking way she's stupid enough to just put his number in her phone like that.
She'd hide it, wouldn't she?
I try to play cool as she reaches for the phone. Her cheeks flush pink. She smiles as she taps a reply and sets her phone back on the counter.
Seconds later, it buzzes again. This time, I look closely enough I'm sure.
Kit: Sorry I missed that.