Page 53 of None Of Your Business

She holds up two more. They look identical.

“Is this a trick? They’re the same color.”

“One is dusty rose,” she explains patiently. “The other is mauve.”

“I work with colors for a living. Those are the same.”

She rolls her eyes. “Just pick one.”

I point to the one on the left. I’ll wear any color she wants if it means she’ll leave faster. “People died so women could vote, and now we’re being forced to distinguish dusty rose from mauve.”

Piper bursts out laughing, and it feels good to see it. For three years, seeing Piper smile felt like watching someone perform a parlor trick. She’d do it when expected, nod at the right moments, and sit at family dinners while her ex practically erased her. But then she went and fell in love with our brother’s best friend, and it suits her.

“How’s Griffin?” I ask.

Her laughter softens into a warm smile.

“Disgusting,” I tease, gesturing at her flushed cheeks.

“What?”

“Your face. You went all dreamy.”

She rolls her eyes. “We’ve been busy.”

“Oh my God,” I gasp. “You’ve been having sex like rabbits, haven’t you?”

“Rowan!”

“I’m right!” I grin, the victory making me forget my headache and the man in my bedroom.

“Can we please talk about bridesmaid dresses?”

“No. This is more entertaining.”

She grabs the mauve swatch and hurls it at me. I catch it against my chest, chuckling as I toss it back.

Her eyes fix on my forehead again, her smile fading. “You really scared me when you opened the door today, Ro. Your face looks terrible.”

“Thank you again.”

“You know what I mean.” She reaches across the gap between our chairs and gently squeezes my knee. “You would’ve called me if it was serious, right?”

The lie catches in the back of my throat. Because I didn’t call her. It was serious enough for an ambulance and a CT scan.

“Yeah,” I say, forcing the word out. “Of course I would.”

Piper nods. “Okay.”

The guilt stings more than the bruise on my face.

“I’m fine. Just busy.” I push myself up from the chair. “Now, I love you, I do, but if you don’t mind, I need you to leave before I get lazy. I’ve got work to do.”

Piper gathers the swatches and stands, but instead of walking toward the door, she tilts her head and examines me.

I try not to squirm.

“You know what?” Piper says slowly. “I know you’re busy, but you can take a couple of minutes out of your day for me, right? We should have some tea.”