Page 23 of Extraction Play

Eva shot a sideways glance at Pixie, who wasn’t piping up as much as she’d expected. “Hey, can you show me to the bathrooms?” she asked.

Pixie nodded. “Meet you inside, Micah? It was wonderful running into you both,” she said to Tabby and Kelly.

“Steer clear of the third stall,” Tabby warned. “It sounded like a woman was waging war against her bowels and losing.”

Eva snorted at the bluntness. “Thanks for the tip.”

These girls seemed like a lot of fun, but the curiosity as to why Pixie’s mood had shifted burned under her skin, and she couldn’t ignore it. Pixie led the way up the steps, and Eva kept close behind her, almost bumping into her heels. They headed in through the entryway, then followed the clear sign for the restrooms. The interior of the conservatory and farther-in greenhouses beckoned, but right now, she had an imaginary bathroom emergency to attend to.

The moment they stepped into the ladies’ room, Pixie gestured at the first open stall. “Ta-da. Your throne awaits.”

“While I’ll probably use the restroom since I’m here, I just wanted to check in.” Eva leaned against the sink counter.

“About what?”

“You don’t have to share anything you’re not comfortable with, but your mood dropped back there, and I wanted to make sure you were okay. If there were aftereffects from the play last night, or hell, even if you needed a friendly ear for something that bummed you out…I’m here.”

Pixie let out a hollow little laugh. “Well, damn. How is it you pick up on things that people who’ve known me for years don’t?”

“Probably because they’ve known you for years.” She swallowed back the “and because I can’t stop noticing you” that rose to her lips. “People tend to have an image of long-term friends that can blur with reality.”

She’d fallen victim to that with the rosy view of Jack she’d held on to for far too long, ignoring the cracks until it had shattered.

“I…” Pixie let out a heaving sigh and leaned next to Eva against the sink counter. “This is going to sound stupid.”

“Don’t know if you noticed, but I’m taking a runaway vacation to avoid my shitshow back home, so I’m about the queen of idiocy right here,” Eva said. The coolness of the porcelain behind her seeped through the thin fabric of her pants, but she didn’t budge, transfixed by Pixie.

Pixie chewed on her lower lip. “I’m so happy for Micah. He showed up here at complete rock bottom, and already he’s found a partner, a job where he truly shines, and as a barista at Whipped, he’s made so many friends. Sometimes, seeing how well he fits in makes me feel a little lonely. That’s all.”

Eva swallowed hard, those words lobbing straight into her sternum. She’d been feeling the exact way all week, displaced from her circles at home and a bystander here. With how enmeshed Pixie was at Whipped and in the scene though, she was surprised she harbored those same feelings.

“Lucky bastard, right?” Eva nudged Pixie’s side.

Pixie’s lips trembled, but then she broke into a grin, and Eva knew she’d chosen her response right.

“It’s not like I even need a partner or anything.” Pixie ran her fingers through her bright strands as she averted her gaze. “And I love my job, so no regrets there.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t feel the absence of people who were there in a different capacity.” Eva had first-hand experience. She was getting slammed with those losses hard as of late—her parents, her partners, her old friends.

“Or like everyone’s going in their own directions and passing you by,” Pixie murmured, clasping her nape.

Eva wanted to wrap her arms around Pixie and never let go. She exuded this pristine loneliness, like a forest in the wintertime, that just burrowed beneath her skin.

“You’re worth stopping for,” Eva said, fixing Pixie with a direct look. Their gazes met, and Pixie’s widened eyes had her heart speeding up. They skated on dangerous territory, translucent ice on a deep pond, and Eva couldn’t seem to rein herself in.

Pixie’s small grin made her blue eyes gleam. “You say that to all the girls?”

“Only the pretty ones,” Eva said, unable to help herself. “Why don’t we go back out and find my brother?”

Pixie ran her fingertips along the edge of the counter, seriousness flashing across her features. “Thanks. For noticing.” At that, Pixie turned on her heel and exited the bathroom.

Eva swallowed hard, following her. Somehow, their conversation had felt far more formidable than Play Night had been, and they’d been up close and personal then—at least physically. Each step she took toward Pixie revealed more of the woman who had piqued her curiosity, and she craved every facet she discovered.

Just for a little longer.

Then she’d be heading back to Reno, and the reality filtered through her veins like ice.

They walked toward the entryway, where Micah was waiting with the tickets.

---