Blended Ch 22

Queer women aren’t that hard to find at any university, but in Gurlberg, Piper’s not used to seeing such openly radiated gay energy. From her tats to her sweat-stained tank to her chunky boots, Meghan is clearly leaning in.

She is not Riley’s type; not even close, but Riley is so starved for affection that it may not matter.

Piper slides in.

“Hi,” she says musically. The way that Megan smiles at her without even glancing at her cleavage says it all. “I’m Piper.”

“Meghan.” She adjusts her tool belt and offers her hand. Piper grudgingly concedes as she shakes: the tool belt is a little sexy.

“Meghan’s not a plumber,” Riley reports.

“But does she know any plumbers?” Piper asks, beaming at her.

“Incredibly, just one. And he’s booked through September. I’m sorry,” Meghan says.

Piper senses danger, but not the bad kind. “OK. Riley, I’m gonna go talk to Flynn. You stay here and help.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one begging him?” Riley asks.

“No. I’m getting sunburned, and I’m not dressed for this,” Piper says, peeling her top back a little to fan herself. Megan’s self-control flickers, and she looks at Piper’s cleavage, shiny with beaded sweat. “You’re sporty and good at…” She waves a hand. “Outside.”

“Good at outside,” Riley repeats with a laugh.

“Better than me, anyway. I’ll be back in a bit. Then we can go get some lunch or something, maybe.”

“OK, don’t leave me here,” Riley says, as though Meghan wouldn’t leap at the chance to give her a ride somewhere.

BLENDED

Ironically, Flynn is at Lord Gym, doing chest stuff with a pair of fifties.

Graham provided his number, so this could be done with a call or a text, but Piper can picture that, and she doesn’t like it. Negotiating by text with someone like Flynn feels like it would be unspeakably tedious. In person, she should effortlessly be able to get him to do what she wants.

He spots her the second she enters the building and sets his free weights down as she approaches.

“Piper?” Flynn looks uncertain, as though he can’t quite believe that she’s coming straight at him.

“Hey, Flynn. You won’t believe what I put myself through just to get your phone number.” She bends over and taps his chest, and it is obnoxiously big and firm.

“Oh,” he says. Flynn doesn’t know what’s going on, but he likes it.

She curls a finger, and he obligingly leans in. Sweat and Addidas. Piper focuses. “Listen. We got some water damage from a leak in the ladies’ shower room back there. Can you clean it up until we can get a real plumber in here?”

“Maybe. I’d have to look. But since when do you work here?”

“I just help out. I’ll be here with Riley tonight. Can you stop by and take a look?”

He hardly hesitates at all before nodding. “Yeah. Can I ask you for a favor?”

“I guess that, uh, honor and fair play require me to say yes since I’m asking you for one. But I’m offended that you don’t just happily do anything I ask you to.”

He folds his arms and squints at her. “Do you think Riley would go on a date with me?”

That is not what Piper expects, but she takes it well. She has a choice to make.

Engage with that question in good faith?

Or point Flynn toward Kayla?