Page 58 of Petals and Plot Twists
I frown. “Why would I need Pepto Bismol?” I ask, suddenly suspicious.
“Peter,” she says, her tone almost chiding. “We’ve been friends for too long for you to be embarrassed. Archer told me about the gym. We don’t have to talk about it. I’m just saying, if you need drugs, I’m happy to help.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly. “I appreciate that.”
“I’ve got to get to work,” she says. “But I’ll be in my office if you need me. Just text.”
I listen as her footsteps recede toward her office, then I reach for my phone where it sits on the bathroom counter and send a text to Archer.
Peter
What, exactly, did you tell Sophie about the gym?
Archer
Not sure I follow your question.
Peter
Why did she just offer me Pepto Bismol?
Archer
Oh, that. I might have said something about explosive diarrhea. And implied that’s why you had to run away.
Peter
Not funny, man.
Archer
Definitely a little funny.
Now tell her the truth, or I’m asking you about your bowels every time we’re together in front of Sophie.
Peter
You will not.
Archer
It will be highly uncomfortable.
But I will.
For your own good.
Chapter Nineteen
Sophie
I don’t seePeter until I emerge from my office to scrounge up some lunch.
He’s working from the kitchen table, laptop open in front of him, but he’s on a phone call, so I don’t do more than wave. He waves back, offering me a small smile, then points to his phone with his free hand, mouthing the wordboss.He looks like he’s feeling better, at least. If he was even sick at all.
I’m beginning to wonder if Peter is avoiding my rooftop garden on purpose.
Archer is a lot of things. But he isn’t a very good liar. At least, he wasn’t this morning. But why would Peter be so determined to avoid the garden? His allergies aren’tthatbad, and if he’s only in the garden long enough to drop off a shipping crate, that’s hardly long enough for them to act up.
