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“No, I’m done for the day.”
Nodding, Tori reached for the bottle of red on the counter. “Want some wine?”
“It’s lunchtime.” Miranda’s eyes locked on hers.
“Were you planning on doing anything that would require you not to drink?” Tori knew she was pushing, and her tongue usually got loose when she drank, but there was only half the bottle left from the other week, and she didn’t want to waste it.
“No.” Miranda squared her shoulders. Her gaze dropped over Tori, raking down and then up. Were they back to that already? Tori wasn’t sure she could handle it. “I suppose one glass wouldn’t hurt.”
“Good.” Tori let out a breath, happy to have something to do with her hands. The intensity behind Miranda’s gaze was unnerving. “Have you talked to Tierney about dating with a kid?”
“What?” Miranda froze.
Tori regretted instantly turning the conversation that way. “I…I’ve talked to Siena some about it, and it’s not easy. That’s why Harley is here this weekend, so she can have a weekend away with her newest girlfriend.” She flicked her gaze to Harley to make sure she wasn’t paying attention. They hadn’t really talked to Harley about girlfriends yet. “I wanted to give them the space they needed to explore their relationship without kids around.”
“I supposed that’s what Tierney does when she abandons Rebel with me.”
Tori frowned.
“It’s been about a year since I properly dated someone, but I suppose it would be complicated having a child added in the mix.”
“It is,” Tori agreed. “Forgive me, but I’m curious.”
“About what?” Miranda sipped the wine Tori had given her.
“You said you were engaged to a man. So…there’s no tactful way to ask this.”
Miranda had a sly smirk on her lips, but she said nothing. No doubt she wanted Tori to spin her wheels trying to figure out how to get her question across.
“You…Do you…damn it.”
“Just come out and ask, Tori.” Humor lit in Miranda’s eyes.
“Are you going to make me ask when you already know what I’m trying to ask?”
“Of course.” Miranda took another sip, her tongue peeking out on her lips as she dashed the last droplet away.
Fuck. Miranda knew exactly what she was doing, didn’t she? There wasn’t a question in Tori’s mind at all. It was stupid curiosity that she’d wanted confirmation for, but she already had it. Miranda had to like women. No one would give that look if they didn’t.
“Never mind. I think I have my answer.” Tori turned toward the counter to futz with something, anything, to distract her from that look.
Miranda chuckled low and slow. She set her wine glass on the counter and leaned in. “Chickenshit.”
Tori’s head snapped up, the phrase echoing in her mind. The same phrase Aili had used to get her to talk to Miranda in the first place. “Excuse me?”
“You should just ask a question if you want the answer. I won’t be offended.”
“I’ve offended you several times in the short few weeks we’ve known each other, Miranda. I’d rather not take another risk at doing that again.” Why was her voice so tight? Why did she want to lean in and really test her hypothesis? But that would likely offend Miranda, and again, Miranda couldn’t be her soulmate. They were too different, looked at the world from opposing viewpoints, and nothing about them was compatible. Except the sexual tension. That was definitely there.
“You won’t offend me this time.” Miranda nearly purred the words. “But since you’re chickening out, I am attracted to both men and women, and anyone in between or other.”
“Oh.” Tori’s lips formed a perfect O, her heart skittering again. “But—”
“There’s no buts, Tori. That’s just the way it is.”
“No, I get that. I was just going to say, but you’ve never been married.”
“No.” Miranda frowned, the lines around her mouth and eyes deepening. “I never found someone who was worth the work, and I don’t believe in happy marriages.”
