Blended Ch 15

Kylie’s skirt and crop top outfit is immaculate, and her hair is up. She’s obviously just been to the salon, and her level of put-togetherness veers into lording it over everyone territory. There are no guys at this party, so most of the attendees aren’t trying too hard. Piper knows she’s at the sweaty end of the spectrum in her borrowed dress, but who dares, wins. Kylie spots Piper and waves; she’s in conversation with Moko, who wears little dolphin shorts and a tank. This is a good look for her; she’s usually more tomboyish.

Kylie is interesting, and Piper imagines that she is good company. Piper most certainly did not imagine the violent spark of chemistry at the pool with Ines, who confirmed it by extending this invite.

Yuki spots Piper and pounces before she can even get to the kitchen. The AC is blasting throughout the house, which has been nicely staged for the evening. It’s been years since Piper was here for sleepovers. She always liked Wendy, but they were never close, serious friends. Although Piper does find her attractive on a purely physical level.

She can’t say that for Yuki, who is short and shredded. That’s not a problem; Piper is actually curious about what it would be like to be with someone like that. But Yuki’s reputation is not cute. If Piper has read between the lines correctly, Yuki is like a female Flynn Stackwell but without the charm.

“You look amazing,” Yuki says bluntly, her eyes doing a thorough, postgrad-level study of how Piper’s boobs are situated in the dress.

“Thanks,” Piper replies, sliding away without hesitation. She gets a drink and boldly joins Kylie and Moko. “Is she flirting with you?”

Moko smiles, and Kylie blushes. “Why would you think that?” Kylie asks.

“Because I saw you first. Hey, Moko.”

“Hi, Piper.”

Kylie looks toward the door. Ines has arrived, and Piper’s heart lifts. Ines wears a black skort of some kind and a floral top with a serious neckline. Her little turquoise earrings are wall-punching cute, and she has sneakers on. Oh, yes. Ines and Piper are on the same page.

“Hello,” she says serenely, walking over to them with such supreme confidence in her step that it’s a miracle that Kylie’s panties don’t just slide right off.

BLENDED

The Beach Volleyball Pro Tour is streaming, and many of the girls are gathered around the TV, watching a Brazilian duo take on a pair of Latvians.

Piper is comfortably ensconced on a sofa with Kylie and Ines, Kylie in the middle. Her eyes keep meeting Ines’s as they chat, and the dress was definitely the right move. Ines has to fight to even pretend to still be paying attention to Kylie.

Piper is much better at pretending, and Kylie blushes every time Piper looks her in the eye. “Did you see Ying talking to Wendy? Or I should say, did you see Wendy talking to Ying?” she asks.

Kylie smiles. “I think there’s love in the air.”

“Yup, and I invited her. So I get credit if they get together.” Piper brushes a few strands of hair out of Kylie’s face.

“We invited you. What do we get?” Ines asks.