Kit: It's happened before, but it's been a while.
Piper: So you want to be texting me?
Kit: Yes.
Piper: Prove it by texting again tomorrow.
It's a bold ask. I should wish him goodnight and leave him alone. But I like Kit. Not just as a crush. Tonight was fun. Talking to him is fun.
I want to keep it up.
But he's not responding.
I stare at my phone, waiting for a response. My palms sweat. My breath catches. This is taking forever.
A few minutes, forever, same difference.
Kit: I will.
My whole body gets warm and light. I really hope he means it.
Kit: Did you get home okay?
Piper: Smooth sailing, almost no one on the road. I'm in bed, in my pajamas.
Kit: Go to sleep. It's late.
Piper: Then you go to sleep.
Kit: I'm in bed.
Piper: In your pajamas?
Kit: I don't own pajamas.
Piper: Really?
Kit: Technically, I have a few pairs I bring on the road. When I'm at home, I sleep naked.
My head fills with beautiful images of Kit naked in his bed. It means something, him telling me this. Either that he wants me thinking about him naked or that he sees our relationship as so platonic that he assumes I don't care about his state of dress.
I can't tolerate the latter.
Piper: Would it be obvious what I was up to if I asked you for pics to prove it?
Kit: It would be tacky.
Piper: Just checking.
Kit: Goodnight, Piper.
Piper: Goodnight, Kit.
I wake up to Mal making eggs in the kitchen. The entire house smells like coffee, good coffee. I get through my morning routine as quickly as possible so I can join my oldest brother downstairs.
He pours me a cup of coffee and passes over the half and half and sugar.
"Thanks." I hug him good morning. It gives me that warm, comfortable feeling. I know I can trust Mal with anything. He can occasionally be over-bearing, but he's still my family, and I still feel like I'm where I belong when I'm with him and Ethan. "Good party?"