Parisa laughed.“Why?”
“Because now I feel all melty and gooey inside and there’s no way I’ll function now.”
“Good thing all you have to do now is enjoy your coffee and our little chat.”She drank some of her tea.“I finished another one of Edgar’s books, and I have a theory.”
Sera raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Have you noticed a common theme between the ones he lends us?”
“Besides romance and enough heat to cause a metaphorical burn?No, nothing.”
“Do you have the one you’re reading now nearby?”
Sera nodded and got up to grab it from another nearby table before taking a seat again.She held the book out for Parisa to take.“Have you read this one?”
“No, but I have to test something.”Parisa took the book and searched the front and back covers.“Mm, this one’s a bit of a stretch, but I think it still fits.”
“Fits what?”
Parisa held the book in her lap and turned to look at Sera.“I don’t think I’m the only one who knew I had feelings for you.”She tapped the book.“And I think we’ve had some well-meaning puppetmasters behind the scenes.”
“Hugh said the same thing earlier.”
“See!I must be right.And if you look here, this book has two artists as the main characters, right?One is more well-known than the other.The other book had a captain and a first officer.Edgar has tons of books, but the ones he lends me always has two people with some sort of power dynamic —”
“But they meet on equal ground,” Sera said, realization dawning.
Parisa leaned closer.“Remind you of anyone?”
Sera froze, her heart rate picking up.She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
Parisa laughed.“Despite everything I’m concerned about, it’s nice to know we have people in our corner.”
“How long do you think they’ve been doing this?”
Parisa patted the spot next to her on the sofa.“Does it matter?”
“No, I guess it doesn’t.I just feel foolish for not seeing what everyone else did.”Sera stood on shaky legs, heart hammering in her chest, then sat beside her with stiff arms and legs, leaving some distance between them.
Parisa shifted in her seat, closing the small gap, and placed a hand on Sera’s thigh, rubbing her thumb along her trousers.“Feelings make us all a little foolish.”
Sera’s leg tingled where Parisa touched.“Me more than most.”
“I doubt that.I think I’d tie for who let love make them the most foolish.”
At the word ‘love,’ Sera inhaled, her gaze snapping to Parisa’s face.
Parisa smiled and leaned in closer.She squeezed Sera’s leg.“I do, you know.Love you.”
Sera nodded, unable to find words with Parisa’s gaze so focused on her and only her.
Parisa’s hand slid up a little higher.Sera jolted as Parisa continued to move closer, their faces only inches apart.
Sera’s skin itched with anticipation, little pinpricks of nerves spreading throughout her body.Parisa was so close and she loved her.She glanced down at Parisa’s parted lips and settled her hand on Parisa’s shoulder before slowly sliding it into her thick, brown hair.Parisa’s eyes fluttered shut, a soft sigh on her lips, and Sera sealed their lips together.
Parisa was a stiff brick wall at first and Sera wondered if she’d misread the moment.She started to pull away, but Parisa grabbed onto her shirt, pulling her back into place.Sera smiled against her lips and let her eyes close so she could better feel everything Parisa was willing to give her.
Sera pulled back and smiled at the way Parisa chased after her lips.“I love you, too — in case that wasn’t clear.”Puffing out a soft laugh, she whispered, “Just because they’ve been trying to get us together doesn’t mean we should be doing this where everyone can see.We can stop or we can —“ Sera grinned, imagination taking off with everything they could do now.