Page 87

“I definitely could,” Jo agreed. “Now let me see this ring.”

“But I haven’t even asked you.”

“So what,” Jo whispered, plucking the ring from Piper’s hand. “We’re getting fake engaged!”

Piper’s heart sank.

Yes.

Engaged.

But fake.

This wasn’t real.

TWENTY-SEVEN

bea

Bea stood, fingers still gripping the handle of her front door as she stared at Bunny.

The banging on Bea’s door had pushed her heart into her throat and made her jump. She hadn’t been expecting anyone, and this wasn’t a polite knock.

Now, staring at Bunny, she couldn’t find any words.

Bea couldn’t remember seeing Bunny look this disheveled, except after one of their ill-fated fucking sessions. That’s how she had to think of them. As nothing but fucking. Even now, with Bunny’s lips looking inviting even as she scowled at her.

Bea’s mouth remained open as Bunny’s chest rose and fell like she had run up the stairs. But her hands were steady as she held up her phone. Bea forced her eyes away from Bunny’s lips and took in the woman’s furious eyes and red cheeks. She wasn’t breathing heavily from running up any stairs, but from rage.

Bea’s heart plummeted to the pit of her stomach.

It wasn’t like she had visions of Bunny running to find her, to apologize and sweep her off her feet.

Had she?

Of course not.

But then, why would she be so disappointed to realize Bunny was angry? Again. The surprise was stupid. When wasn’t she angry, especially lately? Bea hadn’t been sure of Bunny when they’d met, but the more they’d gotten to know each other, Bunny had proven to be a kind and fiercely loyal person. But these last few days had been something else entirely—something out of left field that had thrown Bea off her feet.

“Did you know about this?” Bunny thrust her phone out, closer to Bea’s face.

“Hi, Bunny.” Bea found her words, and they dripped with sarcasm. Two could play at the asshole game, and Bea wasn’t going to let Bunny down on her end of the deal. “How are you?”

“Don’t.” Bunny sneered, her cheeks reddening and hollowing. She could have raged again, but she didn’t. Instead, she pushed the phone into Bea’s face again.

Bea’s only reply was her raised eyebrows and the crossing of her arms over her chest.

“Did. You. Know?”

“I don’t know what you’re showing me,” Bea snapped back. “You keep shaking the phone around like it’s an Etch A Sketch.”

“The engagement. Did you know?” There was a quiver in her voice, and Bea wondered what on earth could truly affect Bunny. Anger was one thing, but this bordered on something completely different. Any disappointment vanished as she processed Bunny’s words. She definitely should have known better.

“What engagement?” Bea's shoulders dropped as she uncrossed her arms, one hand reaching out for the phone.

The fury radiating from Bunny either cooled slightly or Bea’s distraction made her less aware of it. Either way, Bunny seemed the least of her problems as she stared at the phone.

She stared at the words and the photo.