Page 72 of The Wrong Date Deal

“Ugh. Very, very little.”

Shea cackled. Despite the teasing, August liked her. She was easy to talk to, relaxed. August got the feeling that, with Shea, what you saw was what you got, and that was comforting in a way, especially when there were so many complicated emotions swirling around inside of her.

“So,” Shea said, turning slightly away from the rest of the group, “are you stopping your other dates or are you looking for something more open?”

A ridiculous laugh burst from inside of August. “You don’t think I should have a conversation with Piper before I start committing to taking myself out of the dating scene?”

“Why would you need to do that?”

“Because she and I haven’t even talked about anything romantic happening between us?”

She bobbed her head in reluctant acceptance of the answer. “Fine. I’m just glad neither of you is holding onto pretending not to know the other is interested.”

August opened her mouth to respond, but that was the moment Shea’s comment fully registered. “Piper said she was interested?”

“Did she have to?”

“Yes.”

Shea smiled. “Do you want me to tell you, or do you want to hear it directly from her?”

“Which is basically confirmation that she said it.” August was glad her mind seemed to have finally figured out how to function in the middle of chaos.

“For what it’s worth, I’m happy for her. She’s been dating for a long time and it’s nice to see her actually feel something.”

August nodded, certain she was blushing. She couldn’t help but wonder what Piper had been saying to her friends that made them all so ready to make comments about the two of them.

As if on cue, Piper approached, her hands coming down on Shea’s shoulders.

“Speak of the Devil,” Shea laughed.

“Tell me you’re not tormenting poor August too much,” Piper said, shooting August a slightly shy smile that did things to August’s stomach.

“I’m not tormenting her at all,” Shea insisted. “Just getting to know the important people in your life.”

Piper spluttered slightly and cleared her throat. “Right.”

Shea smirked at her before turning back to the table on her heel. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

“Sorry if everyone’s coming on too strong,” Piper said as August watched Shea slide back onto her velvet bar stool.

August smiled. “Everyone’s lovely.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. You can tell how close you all are.”

Piper laughed. “That sounds… interesting?”

August grinned and shook her head. “Everyone’s just very open and upfront. It’s a testament to how close your friendships are, I think.”

“Hm. I’m not completely sure they should be dragging you straight into that, though,” she said, and something about their usual dynamic slipped back into her tone, relaxing August immediately.

She laughed. “Maybe not, but it’s nice to be welcomed into the group.”

“More like an initiation, I suppose—depending on what they’ve been saying.”

August flashed her a look. “Do you want to know, or is your imagination sufficient to fill the gaps?”

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