Page 75 of Some Like It Fox

“And you’re asking me to come home because you are trying to help Mindy? That doesn’t really make sense. Why wouldn’t she ask me herself? We aren’t the ones fighting.”

“Can’t I just want to get all my siblings together for some family bonding time? We haven’t been in the same room together since Thanksgiving.”

“That’s your fault for flaking on Christmas.” Her tone is light and teasing, but I know Piper well enough to read the undercurrents.

I tip my head back, shutting my eyes. She’s right. I totally flaked. “Piper, I’m sorry about that. Truly I am.”

It ended up being a dead end anyway. I went all the way across the country and Mom hadn’t left the East Coast.

“You apologized to Finley, right? She was super bummed too, Tay.”

“I did and we’re good. I promise. Let me make it up to you. Just come to Whitby for a couple of days. Please?”

“Maybe. We’ll see. I’ve been working on more pieces for the gallery and I wanted to have at least one done by the end of the month, but I’ve gotten nowhere.” She blows out a breath, the sound gusting over the phone line. “I haven’t felt inspired lately.”

I pick up a pen, tapping it against the pad of paper in front of me. “Why? Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine. I’m in a slump, I guess. It happens.”

I frown. “But last time you had creative difficulties it happened because of dickface Ben.” Ben, her ex-boyfriend, is now doing hard time for stalking, attempted murder, and defamation, to name just a few of the fucked-up things he did after Piper dumped his abusive ass.

“Well, this time I don’t have a psycho ex to blame.”

I perk up. “Can we blame Oliver?”

She sighs, but it’s a happy sound. “No. He’s perfect.”

I snort. “He’s an ass.”

“Yeah, but he’s my ass.”

A masculine voice echoes in the background and Piper laughs.

“What is he saying?” I ask.

“He wants to know why I’m talking about his ass. You do have a nice ass,” she calls out. “Sorry, Taylor, I gotta run. We have a charity event tonight.”

“Think about coming this weekend.”

“I’ll let you know. Love you.”

“Love you too, P.” I hang up the phone and drop it on the desk.

Even though you’re freaking killin’ me here.

“Hey.” Jake pushes the door open. “You got a second?”

I pick up the pen and throw it at him. “It’s called knocking, doofus.”

He plops down on the end of the bed, facing me. “What are you doing?”

“I was just talking to Piper. Why? What do you want?”

“Why do you sound so suspicious? Can’t I ask random questions and hang out with my favorite older sister?”

“Okay, now I know you want something. Out with it.”

He sighs. “I don’t want you to get mad at me.”

---