Page 79 of Hyde and Seek

“What’s his excuse?” Ray asked.

“He’s making fun of how much I carry in my wallet.”

“Honey, he’s right. You don’t need a wallet, you need a portable filing cabinet.”

I stuck my tongue out at her before sighing as I texted Jake.

Me:Fine, I might need to do a small amount of cleaning. Stop looking through my stuff.

Jake:Too late, baby, I sawthatcard when I was grabbin’ it. And I’m gonna need to see the eight purchases you’ve made.

Of course he honed in on the one card I didn’t want him to see. That’s what I get for keeping a punch card from an adult store in my wallet.

Me:Only those eight purchases? What about the stuff from the other three cards I’ve filled?

It wasn’t true, but he didn’t need to know that. He deserved a little torture for taking my stuff.

“What’re you saying to him?” Ray asked, startling me.

“Huh? Oh, nothing. You know, typical things.”

“Really? ‘Cause you’re smiling like the cat that ate the canaryafterdipping it in the cream.”

“No, no. Just boring stuff,” I lied when my phone went off again.

Ray laughed. “Go ahead and look. Don’t mind me, I’m enjoying the show.”

Rolling my eyes, I picked up my phone only to almost drop it when I read his text.

Jake:You’re a fuckin’ tease, Piper. I’m not gonna be able to leave the office all afternoon, I’m so fuckin’ hard right now. Get your ass over here.

Me:Sorry, can’t. I’ve gotta use your card and shop, or you’ll keep stealing my stuff.

Jake:Guess I’ve gotta go think baseball stats while I’m a creeper on a creeper. Miss you.

Me:Miss you, too.

Jake:And, baby, make sure you don’t tire yourself out today. I’m feelin’ hungryandenergetic.

Time to go! Who needs anything else when you can have hungryandenergetic?

“Miss, can I take that away for you?” The server drew my attention as she reached for the bill.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” I handed it off before looking at a smiling Ray.

“You know, I like Jake and I liked him for you. But now I love him for you.”

“Because he steals my stuff?”

“Your smile. I’m sure half the conversation was obscene, but I’ve never seen you smile like that. I love it, and I love that he gives that to you.”

I leaned forward, dropping my voice like what I was saying was a secret. If I’d been trying to hide it, I was failing. Epically. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy.”

“You deserve it.”

I grinned at my friend. “Have you been to Ella’s?”

“No, you?”

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