Page 89 of Collect the Pieces

I stand, then lean over to whisper in her ear, “Don’t eat my cookies while I’m gone.”

“Or… you could bring more back with you.” Staring at me with a dead-serious expression, she slowly reaches for the plate, grabs a cookie, and takes a big, obnoxiously sexy bite.

Fucking hell.

“I’m going to do very dirty things to you later,” I promise.

She licks a crumb from her lip, as if daring me to make good on that threat.

My little lady death will be the death of me yet. “I have better uses for that tongue.”

She licks her lips again. “Can’t wait to hear them.”

I shake my head and turn toward the coffee station, weaving between a few people on my way. The long folding table is stocked with white mugs, a few carafes, and cartons of creamer. I set my cup down and pick up a carafe.

Shelby slides in beside me, nudging me with her hip.

“I thought I’d never get ya alone,” she teases.

I arch a brow, keeping one eye on the cup so I don’t end up spilling coffee everywhere. “Oh yeah?”

She grabs a mug and a paper napkin. “I like Margot. A lot.”

A warm grin spreads over my face. Not that I need Shelby’s approval—but I still like hearing it. “Yeah?”

“Oh, yeah. And she sure seems sweet on you.” She squeezes my arm.

“You think so?”

“I can tell.” She rests her hand over her heart. “No tarot cards necessary.” A devilish grin lights up her face. “And even if my intuitionwason the fritz—that knife she pulled on Dee-Dee was a dead giveaway.”

I can’t hide my smirk. I’m not even one bit upset Margot did that. “Our energies match, right?”

“I’d say so.” The smile melts off her face. “I like that for you, Jiggy. Youshouldbe with a woman who wants to fight for you. Who’s proud to be with you andonlyyou.”

I can’t tell if this is secret code for she’s glad I’m no longer interested in her mom, or if she never approved of me hanging around with muffler bunnies. I like what she’s saying too much to ask for clarification. “I really,reallylike her, Shelby.”

“I can tell.” She cocks her head, her serious eyes drilling into me. “I like her too, Jiggy.” She steps closer and lowers her voice. “So, I wanna be straight with you, bestie.”

“About what, songbird?” Amusement colors my voice. I love when Shelby’s serious about something.

She flicks her gaze to the crowd around the coffee and clamps her hand over my arm, tugging me to a less busy corner of the room. “You know I love you, right?”

“You just dragged me away from my coffee, so I’m not sure.”

“Jiggy, I’m serious!” She blows out a breath. “You’re such a good friend to Logan.” She touches her chest. “And to me. So please understand what I’m about to say comes from a place of love.”

Feeling less amused now.“Go on.”

“If I ever catch you with one of those bunnies…or anyone else…ever again, I will kick your ass to hell and back.”

There’s a cute image. “That right?”

“Yup.” She nods once, one hundred percent not fucking around. “And I don’t care what Rooster says or what club code is, I’ll tell Margot. I ain’t playin’, Jiggy.”

“There’s something so heartwarmingly adorable about a tiny woman threatening me.” I rub my hand over the top of her head and laugh when she swats me away.

“I’mnotthat tiny.” She stomps her foot the way she does when she’s really steamed. “And I’m not kiddin’.”

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