Page 60 of Harmless Scandals

“So, tell me what you've been up to? How's the picture book coming along?” Nicola asked.

“Going well. We had a big storm that I got some great shots of.”

“And the neighbors?”

“What?”

“Last time we talked the new neighbors were moving in. Are they nice?”

“Hmm, yeah. Two men.”

“Oh. Two men as in together or they are hetero?”

“Sort of both.”

There was a long beat of silence.

“You talking in riddles makes me think you are trying to keep things from me.”

Dammit.

Serenity hadn't contemplated having to explain the situation to friends and family. She had no family to speak of, but most of her friends were online. Nicola was different. She hadn't seen her in three years, but it almost seemed poetic that her former sober companion was planning a trip to Hawaii. Nothing had ever been easy with Nicola.

“They’re bisexual.”

“Ah.”

“They've been together for a long time.”

“Names.”

Serenity rolled her eyes. She had always said Nicola could have been a drill sergeant.

“Adam and Mick.”

“Hmm. Tell me.”

“What?”

“There is something else you are holding back.”

“How do you know that?”

Nicola sighed. “Because your voice changed when you said their names.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It deepened.”

Had it? “It did not.”

She tsked. “You’re just trying to stall.”

She was. Serenity was sure at some point Jensen would call on Nicola for some reason or other. If she stretched the conversation out, she might be able to get out of an explanation.

“I have all the time in the world. Jensen's at a club, and you know what that means.”

“Ah, and you didn't go?”

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