Blended Ch 13

The mysterious blonde vanishes into a changing room, and the spell is broken.

Graham glances down at Piper, and it’s clear that he knows that they’ve blown it.

Ash looks wistful. Flynn looks as though Christmas has come early.

Piper clears her throat. “Boys.”

“Oh, hey,” Flynn replies.

“If you’re trying to eschew stereotypes, that’s not how you eschew stereotypes,” Piper says.

“Maybe we just like to meet new people,” Graham says with a straight face, although the look in his eyes gives him away. “You were pretty attentive yourself.”

Piper tosses her hair. “Maybe I just like meeting new people. Was there something I could help the three of you with? Some situation that needs to be resolved? Something that needs a woman’s touch?”

The words take them off-guard, even Graham.

Flynn doesn’t hesitate. “Well, I was going to just ask how you were doing, but I like your idea better. We should talk more about that.”

“Uh huh,” Piper replies, nodding.

Graham looks skeptical and Ash is turning red.

“What’s the matter, Ash? Feeling tense?” Piper bites her thumb. The blonde emerges from the changing room, and Piper has succeeded in distracting them. “You guys stay right here. Don’t move. OK?”

“OK,” Flynn replies immediately.

“Cool.”

Piper feels no pity for the three of them. They get to watch her walk away in a bikini; it’s not a huge consolation prize, but it isn’t nothing. She takes the lounger beside the blonde and smiles at her. “Hi. I’m Piper.”

The blonde is in the act of getting her sunscreen out of her bag. “Hi,” she replies. No way. It’s not just the flag on her bag; she is actually Australian. Better and better. “Kylie.”

“Are you at UFG?”

There’s a pause because Kylie’s once-over has gotten a little hung up on Piper’s bulge, which is gratifying.

Piper’s ex and maybe the love of her life was on the very curvy side. Kylie’s got curves, but they’re different from the soft, huggable ones that Piper knows. She’s not above a little objectification, and it’s hard not to think about how smooth Kylie’s skin looks and how firm her bod is. It’s half horniness and half scientific curiosity.

“Yeah,” Kylie replies, rallying. “Sports medicine. You?”

“Just doing generals. Figuring it out. Do you want me to get your back for you?”

Kylie can’t help but blush a little. There’s hesitation. “I’m waiting for someone,” she says, sounding apologetic.

“Oh. Where is he?”

“She’s, er, not here yet.” Piper says nothing; she lets her gaze do it. Kylie blushes harder. “I guess it’s just sunscreen, right?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

Kylie hands it over.

“Want me to do your legs too?” Piper asks. “Oh my god. Who did your toes?”

“Girl in my sorority,” Kylie replies, self-consciously adjusting her bottoms. Her striped bikini top has a strappy back that is to die for.

“Don’t worry. I can't flirt with you for real. I’m here with my little sister.”

Kylie shields her eyes and considers the kids playing in the pool. “The one with that skinny girl in a headlock?”

“That’s the one,” Piper replies tiredly.