Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Reese nearly dropped her mug of coffee, splashing it all over the kitchen table when she heard what Kay just said.

She scrambled for some napkins, head down, frantically wiping at the mess.

Kay caught the slip right away, her voice rising with concern, "He hasn't even touched you, has he?"

"Aunt Kay! That's private! Can you not-?" Reese was all flustered, making the mess worse, now spreading the coffee everywhere. Some even dripped onto her dress and ran down her leg.

She stared at the wet patch, her hand pausing as she glanced at her prosthetic. The dampness crept down from her knee, but she couldn't feel a thing. Her face darkened.

Rupert hadn't touched her.

If he avoided her because of her disability, she'd accept it, she guessed. But Rupert was never cruel. Sometimes, when her prosthetic was bothering her, he'd kneel down and help her adjust it, never with a trace of disgust.

But there was never... desire, either.

Kay noticed Reese zoning out, so she grabbed a towel, swiped the table clean, and poured Reese a fresh cup of coffee, pressing it into her hands.

Then, more seriously, she said, "Reese, your mom left you in my care. Of course I'm going to look out for you! He's a man, honey-Rupert's young and healthy. There's no way he's living like a monk."

exactly are you trying to say?" Kay clicked her tongue, frowning, "You're

my back?

voice dropping as

Where there's

going, her tone heated. Reese's frown deepened until finally, she pushed

was a car issue. How could Sylvia have planned that? And all those rumors about her and

"Aunt Kay, you're always talking about

unfairly. Why is

spreads a

blame the woman? Takes two, you

off guard, her lips thinning with irritation as she

just looking out

married, not

of

careful? Sylvia isn't even really family-her

Please, stop." Reese's voice was tight,

fine." Kay stepped closer, squeezing Reese's hands.