Page 34 of When Stars Collide
“Always.”
He leaned in to kiss me, the weight of his body pushing me down onto the couch, his lips leaving mine to travel down my neck.“I love you,” he whispered when he neared my ear.
“I love you, Peter,” I moaned.
“For God’s sake, it’s only been ten minutes and you’re already fornicating on the furniture,” Jo scolded us as she reappeared from her bedroom on her way to the kitchen. “Kudos to you two for making up so quickly, but at least have the decency to put a towel down or something.”
“Don’t worry,” Peter said, sitting up, “I think the mood has been seriously compromised.”
“Good. Consider this my metaphorical banana peel, cheater. We’re even now.”
CHAPTER FIVE
I was sitting at my desk, thoroughly entrenched in revision suggestions toLove Me Tender, when my phone’s notifications alerted me to a text from Elle.
Elle: I just took a DNA test.
Me: Turns out you’re 100% that bitch?
Elle: What?
Me: NVM
Elle: Oh, a Lizzo reference. Very Nice. I’ll allow it this time.
Me: Right? When else would I have been able to break that one out?
Elle: I had reservations at first, but I had to do it. I can’t live my life not knowing the truth about Mark Damsky, especially if I have the chance to get to know my real father. Or any father for that matter.
Me: I agree. How long until the results come back?
Elle: A couple weeks or so.
Me: So…good luck, I guess?
Elle: I guess so. I’m not sure what you would say in this situation.
Me: I’ll bet Hallmark knows. They know what to say in every situation.
Elle: Along those lines, can we plan on meeting up at La Bella’s the next time you’re in town? I want to start checking items off my to do list.
Me: Great, and I’ll get to meet Kirsten and Petunia, because you know how much I enjoy meeting new people.
Elle: It’s Violet, not Petunia.
Me: Close enough.
After completing my revisions, I emailed them to Cassandra Willis, the author ofLove Me Tender, and noticed that it was six-thirty—well past five. No wonder it had been so quiet. Gathering my things, I walked out of my office into the darkened suite, which would have been even darker if not for the light coming from Phineas’s office. A quick peek inside confirmed what I’d already more or less expected. He was still in there, his back turned to the door, working diligently as always.
“You’re aware you’re allowed to go home every once in a while, right?” I leaned against the doorframe, smiling when he appeared to jump slightly upon hearing my voice.
“You know,” he replied, turning his chair around to face me, “I would be more inclined to take that suggestion to heart if not for the fact that you’re still here, too.”
“I lost track of time.”
“As did I.”
“Except I don’t lose track of it every night.”
