GIDEON STARED AT THE shadows dancing across the ceiling. Piper’s breath skated across his skin, so peaceful. He didn’t dare move for fear of disturbing her.

His neighbor’s palm trees made for curious night time monsters, but they had nothing on the one inside of him. The guilt slithered around his stomach, doubt making it hard to breathe. What the hell was he doing?

The night on the yacht he could have chalked that up to a lot of things. The champagne. Years of built up want. Kismet. Last night when he’d answered the door he hadn’t been sure which Piper he was letting into the house. And then he’d just gone with it, because he was too damn hungry for her to think about what he was doing.

One thing was for certain, Piper was not the same woman he’d parted ways with. She’d healed and moved forward. He was damn proud of her, and a little sad he hadn’t been part of it.

Now, he wasn’t sure what to do. Sex with Piper was great. Explosive, even. He wanted more of that. Did she? Were they really doing her challenge anymore? Or had they ventured off the path and on their own journey?

Piper sighed and her fingers stroked his stomach. He stopped breathing or thinking and focused on the sensation of her touch. She rolled toward him, pressing their bodies closer together.

“You’re awake,” she whispered, her words heavy with sleep.

“Hm.” He turned and kissed the top of her head. So much for not disturbing her.

“I don’t want to be awake.” She sighed and buried her face against his arm and the bed.

“Got a lot to do today?” He sure as hell did, but it was nothing he wanted to do.

“There’s a lot I can do. The girls are all off doing another couple date day, so I should cram some work in, but...”

“But—what?”

“Miranda got me a beta copy of Drudge VIII.”

“No way.” The Drudge video game series was one of his favorites.

“See my dilemma? Tamara hasn’t even played it.”

“Is this a continuation of D7?” He rolled to his side to face Piper, enjoying the sight of her in his bed, committing it all to memory. How her hair spread over the pillow. Her wearing his shirt. It was all—perfect.

“No, this is back to the original storyline. Miranda hasn’t said a word about how they tie it all in, but I can tell from the look she gets that they did something to the storyline.”

Gideon knew that he’d buy the game the moment it went on sale, but likely not play it for months. By then whatever secret Miranda was hoarding would be one of the biggest internet spoilers.

“Is that your stomach growling?” Piper prodded his ribs.

“Yeah, I didn’t really eat dinner last night.”

“You? Skip a meal?”

“I had a lot on my mind.”

“We should get up and get something to eat.” Piper snuggled the pillow a bit closer and shut her eyes.

“Get right on that.” He chuckled and draped his arm over her waist.

“Your bed’s too comfortable to move.”

“For what I paid for this thing, it should be damn near amazing.” He tugged her closer and kissed her forehead. “Come on, get up. I’ll buy you breakfast.”

“That means leaving the house.”

“There are these magical things called drive throughs, you know?”

“Shut up.” She pushed at his chest and rolled onto her back. “What did you say you were doing today?”

“Waiting on you to make up your mind what we’re going to eat.” He propped his chin on his hand and soaked this moment in. It was so easy and normal as though they’d always been like this.

“You know if you really want to play the new Drudge game, we could go to my place and give it a whirl.” She stroked his hair, taming his bed head.

“I’m so down for that.”

“Oh—my place might not be a good idea.” She winced. “If the girls deviate from plan, they could just show up whenever.”

“My place then. Come on. Breakfast, pick up the game, then back to here.”

Gideon wasn’t going to hesitate when it came to staking his claim to a whole day full of Piper time. He rolled out of bed and snagged boxers from the laundry hamper he’d brought up after her first visit a few days ago. The same hamper she’d gone thieving in, not that he minded.

He peered over his shoulder and got an eyeful of Piper tugging her jeans up over her ass.

Damn.

He grabbed the closest pair of jeans off the dresser and stepped into them. They both got clothed without further conversation, but the easiness was gone. Gideon rushed through his normal routine, eager to move on to a new setting in hopes of regaining that old, friendly spirit he missed so much.

By the time he was ready to go, Piper had already gone downstairs. He wished he knew the words to say or the thing to do that would put them in a perfect stage of being together. The last thing he wanted to do was rock the boat. He was going to take as much of this piece of heaven as he could get and hold on tight for as long as she’d let him.

He grabbed his keys and phone, and headed for the stairs.

Piper waited in the entry, her phone in hand.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“Hm?” Piper glanced up. “Oh, no. Just answering a few messages.”

“Anything that will interfere with our master plan?” He forced himself to keep smiling.

“Nope. Is there anything you need to do before we get down to business?” Piper asked.

“Pick up some snacks, schedule a pizza?” He opened the front door and ushered her outside. “My car or yours?”

“Yours has the better sound system.”

He grinned and unlocked the Jeep.

They climbed into the Wrangler and he cranked the engine, strains of music playing softly in the background.

“Are you still listening to Ancient Sons?” Piper chuckled and turned the music up.

“You know, as the daughter of a metal-hippie I would have thought you had more appreciation for this kind of music.”

“Hey, if eighties, glam metal is your thing, good for you.” She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes.

“They’re going to be in San Diego in a few weeks. I’m going to try to drive down and see them. Who knows how much longer those guys will tour?”

“They still tour?”

“Hey, greatness never stops.”

Piper’s throaty laugh signaled the return to easiness. Familiar territory. He’d forgotten how perfect time with her could be, when it was just them, in the Jeep listening to music or doing nothing at all. He wasn’t sure what the hell they were doing together or how to categorize their relationship now that it included sex, but he liked it. He liked it a lot, and maybe that was the problem.

“WOW.” PIPER SET HER controller down on the sofa next to her and blinked at the TV, still not sure how she was—yet again—dead.

“Damn this game is brutal.”

“I don’t understand how that just happened. I loaded, which means I should have had at least ten shots.”

“Maybe it’s a glitch?”

“I don’t think so. Again?”

“It’s five. I’m hungry. I’m tired of dying and watching you try to not die.”

“Okay. Fine.” Piper leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Her stomach rumbled, making its displeasure known. “You know what I’m craving? The fully loaded fries at the Arcade Grill.”

“Is that place any good?”

“What?” Piper turned her head and stared at Gideon. “You’ve never been there?”

“Time, dude.” He spread his hands.

“We’re going.” Piper pushed to her feet. She was grateful she’d thought to grab some extra clothes from her apartment when they picked up the game. The shower she’d had earlier didn’t hurt either.

Gideon blinked at her for half a second before pushing to his feet and stretching. He was used to the her who stayed home and hid from the world. That wasn’t her anymore. Sure, she did plenty of hiding, but going out was something she could do, though these days she did order her groceries online. It had nothing to do with being scared of going out, and was instead all about managing her time so she could afford weeks like this, where she slacked off from work and hung out with friends.

It was such a different life from the way she was raised. Before, food was wherever they stopped on the road or the microwavable fare from a gas station. There was no internet or phones, either. Just her, Dad and the road.

“Ready now?” he asked.

“Yup. Can we take the top off the Jeep?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He grinned, those dimples of his barely visible under a few days of scruff.

She’d liked the clean-shaven, still rough around the edges man who’d treated her to a magical night out, but this was the man who’d been her rock, the one she trusted. She still liked spending time with him.

In short order they took the hard top off Gideon’s Wrangler and were cruising across L.A. toward the Arcade Grill.

These were the moments she missed most. Being together. Listening to music. There was no pressure to be anything except who and what she was. Gideon had always accepted her in all her broken states without judgment. The girls didn’t always do that. They were understanding and patient, but they pushed when she needed to be left alone. She knew they meant well, but they weren’t Gideon. There was no replacing him. Ever. And that left her at a crossroads she didn’t want to acknowledge yet.

Tonight, she wanted dinner and some more time on the couch with him, like the old days. Maybe they could binge watch Supernatural so she could get caught up with everyone else. Or maybe they’d play more Drudge. Whatever they did, she’d enjoy it. There wasn’t going to be too many days like today in the future.

Gideon pulled into the fairly full lot at the grill and Piper’s stomach sank.

It was a popular place, especially for her work crowd.

Damn.

She was so accustomed to coming here with a group she hadn’t thought through bringing just her and Gideon. The neon lights in the window, foraged from some long dead arcade, winked at her, beckoning her inside.

When she went out with her groups, they insulated her from the world. With just two of them, she felt naked. Vulnerable.

This had to stop.

“Looks kind of packed. You want to go through a drive through instead?” Gideon said without missing a beat.

She could say yes and they’d do the safe thing. They’d get it to go, and she’d be able to continue without challenging herself. But that wasn’t what she wanted. She would never figure out how to best her anxiety if she didn’t face it down.

“No.” Piper swallowed and unbuckled her seatbelt.

What was it Tamara said? In a crowd of a hundred people, ten want to be you and ten want to hate you. She’d stopped living her professional life in fear of those who hated her. It was time her private life followed suit.

Gideon opened her door for her, his smile warm and not a bit of pity etched on his features. He offered her his hand, and she took it, sliding out of the vehicle. She let go once her feet touched the ground. This wasn’t a date. They were just breaking to eat. Together. In a crowded restaurant.

She swallowed down the first tingle of uncertainty.

She came here all the time. The only difference was tonight she was here with one person, not a tribe.

A warm hand pressed against her lower spine. She took a step and Gideon stayed with her. Together they crossed the parking lot to the doors and stepped inside.

The noise was familiar. A dozen, old games beeped and chirped while adults jockeyed the joysticks. People talked. The smell of food reminded her stomach why they were here.

“There’s a booth.” Gideon nodded at a smaller table tucked in a corner.

She’d take it.

Piper wove through the tables and people, keeping her head down. She was glad to be able to put a pin in what it was that truly bothered her. She wasn’t ashamed to be seen in public with Gideon. What caused her anxiety was the unknown. With any luck they’d share a quiet meal and leave without incident, proving once more that her fears were all in her head.

She slid into the booth and stared at the table top. Each table was different. The surface was covered in old comic books with a thick layer of clear acrylic on top. She traced the name of a familiar Archie comic and focused on breathing.

Just because she’d figured out her fears didn’t mean she’d conquered them.

Gideon’s hand slid across to her, palm up. She placed her hand in his, grateful for his quiet support.

“Talk to me,” he said.

“I have some really annoying knee jerk reactions, you know?” She chuckled, but it was forced.

“Like?” Gideon’s focus remained on her, never once glancing away despite the bright lights and people milling around the games a couple yards away.

“I’m fine being here with a group, but just the two of us? I keep feeling like I’m about to get sucker punched.”

“It will never be stupid or out of place to have things that make you nervous. Do you want to get out of here, or do you want those loaded fries?”

“I want the fries more than I want to leave. Progress, right?”

“Exactly. That’s not a decision you’d have made back then.” Gideon’s smile widened.

She still felt silly and outrageous. People went out all the time. Which brought her back to the reason she’d gone to see Gideon in the first place. She wanted to change herself. She wanted to be done with fear and being boxed into this corner.

The waitress arrived and took their order with a smile and a promise to get things out fast.

“What’s the deal with the games? Do you pay to play?” He nodded at the nearest line of machines.

“No, just wait your turn. Some people will line up quarters to show they’re next in line, but the games don’t cost.”

“Cool. Seems like a neat place to come during down hours.”

“Fewer lines, obviously.”

“Why the crowds then?”

“People like to show off, beat high scores, challenge people. That sort of stuff.”

Gideon stared across the restaurant, the still nature of his posture sending a lick of panic through her. She glanced over her shoulder. The crowd parted a bit, and she caught sight of Josh and the other guys from the HitPoint show clustered at a table together.

She groaned and shut her eyes for a moment.

Great.

“They haven’t seen us, if that makes you feel better,” Gideon said.

“Not really.” She propped her chin on her hand. “I didn’t tell the girls we went out, yet. I’m going to. I promise.”

“Because you don’t think they will understand?”

“No. And Rashae would have something to say about you, no doubt.”

“Me? She doesn’t even know me.”

“No, but she’s super loyal and probably thinks us not being friends is your fault. The only people who know about us is Ellie and Josh.” Piper knew both their thoughts on her fake boyfriend. She didn’t need a refresher.

“Josh. Big blond guy?”

Piper frowned and studied Gideon for a moment. Had she ever mentioned Josh to him? How did he know who Josh was to recognize him?

“Josh might have introduced himself and given me the big brother treatment a few days ago.”

“Shut...up...” Piper gaped at Gideon. She couldn’t begin to wrap her head around that.

“You have people in your life who care about you a lot. Let them. It’s what good friends do.” He stroked her knuckles with his thumb.

She wanted to be, but sometimes it seemed like every time she opened up to the girls they handed down their decisions about what Piper should do, how she should act. They meant well. They were wishing her whole, and that was great. But, she wasn’t complete yet. There were parts of her that might never heal, and they couldn’t accept that Piper was stuck in a state of broken she didn’t know if it could be fixed.

“Piper, hi.”

Piper glanced up at the thin, blonde woman standing at the end of their table. Her glasses made her eyes appear owlishly large and there wasn’t a world in which her top and skirt matched, but those were quirky characteristics that made Cara Vaughn who she was.

“Hey.” Piper stood and hugged the only person in the grill who could possibly be more awkward than she was right now.

“Is it just the two of you tonight?” Cara asked.

“Yeah.”

“The other girls are...” Cara squinted, as though she were trying to read fine print.

“They did another date day. You should go along on those. I bet it would be nice to be around other couples.”

“I couldn’t do that. I’d be too nervous around all of them.”

“Rashae would love to have someone who cares about cosplay as much as she does. You should do it.”

“Okay. I’ll think about it.” Cara glanced over her shoulder. “I’d offer for you to join us, but...”

“Josh and Nate take up the space of two people. We’re good over here. This is Gideon, by the way.” Piper gestured at Gideon, who sat quietly by with that silly smile on his face.

“Nice to meet you.” Cara extended her hand and Gideon took it.

“Do you work on HitPoint, too?” he asked.

“Oh, no. My husband does.” Cara’s smile widened to the point it seemed to split her face in half. “Sorry, not used to saying that yet.”

“How long have you two been married? And which one is yours?”

Piper couldn’t help the bite of jealousy. Gideon wasn’t just good with her, he was good with people. He made the most out of place, awkward souls comfortable. Everyone was special around him.

“Since January.” Cara flexed her left hand and glanced down at the thin band on her finger. “Nate, he does the audio on the show. I think he must have gone to get refills. He’s the big guy in the Star Wars shirt.”

“Well, congratulations,” Gideon said

“Thanks. Well, I’m going back to my table now. Bye.” Cara turned and strode away, completely unaware of the world around her.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Gideon asked.

Piper slid back into the booth and pulled out her vibrating phone. She frowned at the five-word text from Josh.

Having fun on your date?

She didn’t glance in his direction, but she felt Josh’s eyes on her.

Piper turned notifications off and placed her phone face down on the table.

Gideon waited without comment or question.

“I wish I had Cara’s confidence to just be myself. She might be an odd duck, but she’s never anything except who she is.”

“When have you ever apologized for being who you are?”

“Right now?” She shrugged and glanced toward Josh, but there were too many people clustered between the machines. “I wish I wasn’t such a total spaz. We’re just getting dinner and my brain is starting to ramp up. My hands are sweating, I keep wanting to look around, at some point I’m going to get startled, then...it’s stupid.”

“Hey? Hey, it’s not stupid.” Gideon stretched his hand out toward her and she took it. “How about we get the food to go, okay? There’s no point in sitting here if you aren’t going to be able to enjoy it.”

“That sounds like wimping out.”

“Think of this as a test run. Dipping your toes into the water. You aren’t copping out, you’re making progress.”

Piper hated the idea of leaving, but staying would only wind her up until she’d want to hide under the table and not come out.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Totally. I’ll go let them know and wait on the food, you go take a breather.” He slid the Jeep keys across to her.

“Thanks, Gideon.”

She wanted to be better than she was. To not care what Josh said or what anyone else thought, but she wasn’t there yet. For now, she had Gideon to lean on.