Page 135 of Collect the Pieces

Fuck it. Unless she outright saysdon’t come over, I’m going.

Me: I pass right by a drugstore.

Well, I will if Remy hurries the fuck up so I can catch a store before it closes. I check my maps app to see where the closest pharmacy is and how late they’re open.

There’s actually a small, hometown pharmacy not far from Margot’s house. Perfect. Anything to avoid one of the big box stores. Hopefully the hours on their site are up-to-date.

“Here you go.” Remy sets a small brown paper bag with handles in front of me. “I threw in some chocolate chip cookies Lynette made earlier too.”

“Perfect. Thank you.” I pull out my wallet. “How much?”

“Seriously? You’ve been coming by for weeks to play bouncer for free, at least let me give you food.”

I realize Remy has his pride but I’m not really into accepting free stuff from people when I know they’re struggling. “Fair enough.”

I pull out a twenty and drop it in the empty tip jar on my way out.

Behind me Remy sighs. “Thanks, Jiggy.”

“Night!” I call over my shoulder.

Outside, I hurry to my truck and set the bag on the passenger side.

After a quick stop at Clover Hometown Pharmacy, I have two different kinds of Advil, the brownies, and what I hope Margot will think is a cute surprise.

I jog up the stairs of the back porch. I open the screen door, then stop.Shit.She didn’t hear my bike coming.

Me: on back porch.

A few seconds later something buzzes and there’s a click. I twist the knob and push my way inside.

I’m already passing the second floor when her door at the top of the stairs opens.

Behind her, the apartment’s mostly dark. But there’s enough light to make out her halo of blonde hair, mussed after a long day, and the loose blue sweatpants and long, baggy T-shirt she’s wearing.

As I reach the last step, her lips curve in a tired smile.

Dark circles ring her eyes, making her look paler than usual.

“How’s my favorite girl?” I slide my arms around her, inhaling the familiar scent of vanilla and sandalwood in her hair. “Missed you.”

“Missed you too.” She backs up into the apartment, closing the door behind us.

“Brought you some things.” I hand the bags to her and stop to take off my boots.

“For me?” A hint of her usual sparkle returns to her eyes.

“Well, I don’t think Gretel’s going to be into any of it,” I tease.

She carries the bags to the counter and pulls the lava brownies out first. “Oh, these look so good. Are they from Remy’s place?”

“Yup. I guess we have to nuke them, and they get all gooey.”

“Yum.” She pulls the cookies out next and sets them next to the brownies.

“Those were for me.” I stuff my hands in my pockets and swagger over to her. “But I’ll share because you’re so cute.”

She laughs softly. “I don’t feel so cute today.”

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