Page 26 of Hot Mic

Sienna might like that. But adding alcohol into the equation raised concerns that Robin couldn’t look directly at.

Robin groaned, running both hands through her messy blonde waves. Sienna didn’t want a gimmick. She had explicitly laid out the terms: a peaceful environment where they could talk and questions that forced them to look at their basic compatibility.

Robin let her irritability flourish until she was downright angry at Sienna. Because she wanted to back Robin into a corner where she couldn’t rely on charm or banter to hide behind. She didn’t think Robin could handle it. She didn’t think she could get real.

It was clear what Robin had to do. Play her at her own game.

Kiki nudged Robin’s hand with a wet nose, letting out a soft whimper.

‘Don’t worry, I know what to do,’ Robin sighed, pulling the dog up onto her lap. ‘I’ll give her exactly what she asked for.’

Twenty-One

Sienna sat at her kitchen table, picking at a salad, her eyes flitting to the phone nearby. On his perch in the corner, Barnaby was methodically tearing a strip of cardboard into shreds.

‘She’s cutting it fine,’ Sienna muttered under her breath, taking a slow sip of black tea. The date was supposed to be tonight, and she still hadn’t heard anything from Robin.

‘Got the package?’ Barnaby squawked suddenly, cocking his head. ‘Cash only!’

Sienna sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. ‘Thank you, Barnaby. Ever the voice of reason.’

Sienna liked to imagine Robin freaking out as she tried to plan a normal getting-to-know-you date. She’d probably pick a restaurant with loud background music and a big menu to hide behind. Because for all Robin’s grandstanding about leading with your heart, intimacy—real intimacy—scared her.

Her phone buzzed. Sienna’s jaw tightened. She picked up her phone and read the text.

ROBIN: Hope you’re ready for tonight…

SIENNA: I’m expecting a venue that allows for actual conversation, Robin, so you’d better not tell me you booked an axe-throwing lounge.

ROBIN: Have a little faith.

ROBIN: I’m taking you to my family’s cottage out in the country. Just the two of us.

Sienna’s heart did a sudden, uncomfortable flip. She stared at the screen.

SIENNA: A cottage? As in, a private residence?

ROBIN: Yep. I grabbed a couple of wireless mic packs already, looped Dora in. Gimme your address, and I’ll pick you up at seven.

Sienna froze, her breath catching in her throat.

An isolated cottage in the country. Just the two of them, a couple of lapel mics, and absolute quiet.

A sudden, sharp wave of nervousness twisted in Sienna’s stomach.

The phone buzzed again.

ROBIN: I’m waiting on that address. Unless you’re afraid of being left alone with me, Vance?

Barnaby dropped his cardboard shred and flapped his wings. ‘Count the bills! Watch the door! Squawk!’

Sienna took a deep breath.

SIENNA: 7 Brolling Road, Puckfield. Seven o’clock sharp. Don’t be late.

ROBIN: It’s a date.

Twenty-Two