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Jo blinked and focused enough to find Piper on the ground in front of her.

“I’m so sorry.” Tears spilled over Jo’s cheeks, and she dropped her head forward.

“It’s okay.” Piper pulled Jo into her embrace.

Being wrapped in Piper’s arms felt safer than anywhere else Jo had ever known. They were a place to rest and breathe. A place she could be herself. Until Mandy’s prediction came true, of course.

Jo and Piper were similar in so many more ways than Jo had been with anyone else in her life. But she had dated Mandy, and Mandy knew her far better than Piper did. And in the end, Jo wasn’t enough to stop Mandy from chasing a life better than what Jo could ever offer.

For now, she let herself sink into Piper’s arms. She let herself indulge in the comforts of someone who hadn’t grown bored and sick of her. It hadn’t mattered so much as it seemed to now. Christmas was just around the corner, and the event would be the highlight of their year. As long as Bea and Bunny didn’t kill each other first.

But even as the excitement loomed closer, Jo’s heart ached with the truth that had rung in Mandy’s words.

They were just having fun for now.

The two of them worked well together—their music, their dancing, their bodies sweating in more naked and pleasurable ways. But in the end, it wouldn’t last.

When Piper had suggested the fake relationship, Jo had instantly reared back at the idea. Her entire career, her life, was about her being allowed to be her genuine self. And even catching Jo and Piper kissing hadn’t stopped Mandy from trying her best to find an angle to butt in. Jo took a deep breath and shuffled the slightest bit in Piper’s arms. At the movement, Piper instantly let her arms loosen and pulled back.

The little things might just be the thing to kill Jo, but she had to do everything she could to stop Mandy from threatening any of them—Bunny and Piper included.

She dreaded how Bea would react when she found out how far Mandy had gone to get a reaction from her.

“Well, she’s a bit psychopathic bathed in overpowering stench,” Bunny said as she walked back into the studio.

Piper burst out laughing, and moments later, Jo couldn’t help but join in.

“I’ll talk to Siena again about a watch for her. You let us know if she shows up again and gives you any trouble.”

“I’m so sorry, Bunny.”

“She’s not your fault,” Bunny said, though her face showed the pulse at her temple Piper had referred to as the pissed off pulse. “We all make mistakes when we’re young.”

The words stung a little, but from what she had learned about Bunny over the last few weeks, she would take the kindness behind the backhanded comment.

“I’ll follow you home and make sure she isn’t stupid enough to show up there.” Piper stood and offered a hand to Jo.

“Is it okay if we finish up now?” Jo didn’t like the way her voice quivered, but continuing practice seemed a little out of her capability.

“Yeah. Your main number with Piper looks good. I can’t see there being any problem with that one.”

“Thanks, Bunny. I’ll call you later,” Piper called behind them as she led Jo to the parking lot.

Jo wanted to say thanks, but her words still faltered and her eyes scanned the parking lot obsessively as they walked to her car. The only thing that kept her anxiety from exploding on the drive was seeing Piper’s familiar silhouette in the car behind her every time she looked in the rearview mirror.

count your blessings instead of sheep

TWENTY-FOUR

bea

Bea had told herself that when she walked out of the apartment she’d never be going back.

So why was she standing outside Bunny’s door, hands twisted together, and bottom lip pulled tight between her teeth?

This was for Jo.

Bea would do anything for Jo, and after hearing all about what happened earlier that day, Bunny needed to be properly thanked. And, well, Bea owed her an apology for skipping rehearsal with no warning and no conversation. Yet she still couldn’t bring herself to knock on the damn door.