Page 156 of The First Time

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"That you changed your mind, realized what a mess this is."

I shake my head. "I've known what a mess this is."

"But still..."

"I won't change my mind about this, Piper. I've been looking forward to hearing your voice all day."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Can I use that somehow?" She laughs. "Get you under my thumb?"

"You'd use me?"

"No..."

"Dishonorable," I tease.

"I wouldn't." Her voice gets low, sincere. "You know that, right?"

I do. Maybe I'm a fool, but I believe everything she tells me. "I trust you." I trust her more than I trust anyone.

"I've been thinking about the summer, about where I want to work. I have to decide if I want to go to Europe. Mal re-invited me."

"You don't want two weeks in Europe with me?"

"It's three."

"Even better."

"It's not withyou. It's with the band. You'll be busy or we'll have an audience all day."

"I'll still be in my hotel room every night."

"After you finish playing." She lets out a low sigh. "I'd like to be in your hotel room every night. Or right now. Or I... Um... I have no idea how to start this."

Fuck, she's cute. I better torment her. "Where are you thinking about working?"

"The cafe I used to work at is good, but a nicer place would mean better tips."

"You really want to work when you could rely entirely on your parents' money?"

"Is that wrong?"

"No."

"I'm still living in their house and letting them pay my tuition."

"You want to feel independent."

"Yeah. I, uh... there are some things I don't mind help with." She trips over her words, her voice all nerves. "Things you could help me with."

"What kinds of things?"

"Kit."

I let my voice drop. "Yeah?"

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