Page 22 of Tyler

“Mac told me,” Stef said as if reading her mind.

Wait…

“Mac? But how had he known?”

Ty definitely didn’t seem like the gossiping type.

“Don’t freak out. Everything is fine, but—”

“How am I not supposed to freak out when you start a sentence like that?” she asked, cutting her friend off while alarm tightened her chest.

“Ty thought he saw something after you went inside, so he had Carter check the feed this morning, and Mac reviewed it with Ty, and well, they saw you two kissing. Sorry.”

She didn’t care so much about that as she did this feed. “What feed were they checking? Where did it come from?”

“Oh, that.” Stef blinked. “Ty’s cottage is owned by ESI, and loaded with state-of-the-art surveillance and stuff. I’m sure some of the camera footage captures your yard.”

She exhaled, and some of her anxiety started to ebb. “I see.”

Piper wasn’t sure how she felt about all that, but it explained how Stef had known about the kiss.

The kiss…

Just thinking about the kisses they’d shared sent a rush of warmth straight to her toes. The same thing had happened the instant she’d brushed her lips to his, and the fact the sweet man had given her control only magnified her need to taste him.

It was all new and intense and amazing. She could sense the same need going through him, but he didn’t push her for more, he just let her take what she wanted.

She’d never met a guy like him. He made her want things. He made her want to do things, and she was just in a kind of stupor over what to do. It was a big step. One she wanted to take and yet, one she was afraid to take.

“So, how was the kiss?”

As Stef probed for details, Piper worked to control the subtle nervousness lingering beneath the surface. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and attempted to downplay the significance of the kiss.

“It was good.”

Stef raised an eyebrow and laughed. “Just good? Come on, Piper. Spill it. I can practically see the butterflies in your stomach from here. What's really going on?"

She sighed. The woman was too astute. Besides, she really needed someone to talk to about the truth she had been grappling with.

“It was freakin’ amazing,” she replied, unable to hold back her grin. “There's something about him, Stef. I can't deny that I felt a spark. A big one, but he makes me feel things, and I’m not sure if I should let it go any further.”

Stef’s expression softened as she leaned forward in her chair. “Hey, it's okay. Sometimes unexpected things happen, and feelings catch us off guard. What are you afraid of, though? Are you worried about things getting complicated with a neighbor, or is there more to it?”

Piper bit her lip, struggling to articulate her thoughts. “A bit of everything. What if it doesn't work out, and we have to see each other every day?”

“It’s a tricky situation. I get it,” Stef said, offering her a reassuring smile. “But don't let fear hold you back, Piper. Life's too short to ignore the potential for something great. I think you know that better than anyone.”

She nodded. “Yeah.” The woman wasn’t telling her anything she hadn’t already told herself. “I just…would I be betraying my husband? I mean, I’ve been in a relationship since Zane passed, and after a few weeks, I didn’t feel guilty.”

“Did you feel guilty kissing Ty last night?”

“No, I didn’t even think of him,” she replied, realizing that was what bothered her.

“And you’re feeling guilty because of it,” Stef said.

“Yes.” She blew out a breath and nodded. “Yes, I guess I am.”

Her friend got up and came around the desk to squat down next to her. “Guilt is a part of life, and so is letting go. And it sounds like you’re ready.”

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