Page 116 of Spicy Sapphic Christmas

“You too.” Jo’s voice croaked out.

Time froze for a moment until noise behind them interrupted.

“Brilliant show.” Allegra was beautiful, and the personification of poise and class. Jo wished they could get to know each other better, but she wasn’t sure if she was prepared for that.

Allegra’s words meant little when Jo could still feel the heat radiating from Piper. So close but suddenly entirelyunreachable. They had touched so many times, and it had never been an issue. And now that the world still believed they were officially engaged, why would they pull apart at having someone closer to them?

“Thanks, Allegra.” Piper stepped forward and offered Allegra a hand. “I hope it was a success on your end.”

“Oh, it was. I don’t have the final numbers, but it looks like we matched our last fundraiser.”

Jo watched, in awe of Piper’s ease and grace. She was everything Jo could ever dream of in a partner. Brilliant. Strong. Empathetic. Energetic. Joyful. Kind. Compassionate.

“Have a fantastic evening. Merry Christmas.” Allegra shook Jo’s hand as well. They exchanged similar pleasantries and well wishes.

Jo watched as Allegra moved to where Bea and Bunny stood, close and warm in each other’s embrace.

“Want to get changed and see if we can’t convince the two lovebirds to come dancing and drinking with us?” Piper asked as she turned her entire body away from Allegra’s moving form.

“Okay.” Energy buzzed through her body, but beneath it a sadness settled behind her ribs.

This was it. The show was over, and while it was a brilliant event—easily one of the highlights of Jo’s career thus far—there was no reason to see Piper every day anymore. There was no excuse to talk and text.

“Besides, I think we need to talk about a few things.”

“Oh?” Jo started that same old panic she hated to feel.

They clicked so well, and Jo had never felt such ease with anyone before in her entire life. And she knew they would try to stay in touch, but life would get in the way. Who knew how long it would be before they stopped chatting on the phone, or catching up when they were both in the same city? Or when one of them found someone else to date, to get engaged to for real.

The sadness behind her ribs turned into a pressure of pain.

“Are you coming?” Piper asked, the smile evident in her voice, though Jo noticed how her eyes didn’t quite settle onto her own.

Had Piper just worked out the same thing?

Jo forced the thrill of the event back into the forefront of her mind. Focus on that and maybe she could avoid the pain she was facing as soon as she left tonight.

“Of course.” She bounded after Piper, and together they walked back to the bus, arm in arm. “What did you need to talk to me about?”

“Two things really. The first is that I put your phone on silent because Mandy was here, and I didn’t want her to upset you.”

Jo stilled. She furrowed her brow and looked up into Piper’s eyes. Her chest was tight, but not because she was afraid. She was in awe. “Mandy was here?”

Piper nodded. “She tried to sneak onto the bus when you were meeting with Bea.”

“Oh.” Jo pursed her lips and shook her head. “She was probably upset.”

“Why would she be upset?” It was Piper’s turn to frown.

“Because I blocked her number, and the second number she had. She couldn’t have gotten ahold of me if she wanted to.”

“What?”

Jo shrugged. “I want nothing to do with her again, and it’s time I put my foot down about that. I don’t want her disrupting my life anymore.”

She hadn’t realized how quickly she’d come to trust Piper with everything, and just how easy it was to talk to Piper about all the dirty details of her life. The idea of it ending left a shard of glass in her heart.

“After you.” Piper swept her hand out in front of the bus stairs and waited, and Jo bounced up the stairs. Once they wereinside, Piper stopped and shook her head. “I’m really proud of you.”

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