Page 36 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
SIENNA
For all ofmy complaints about my father, I definitely felt like I channeled “a parent” a minute ago with the stuff I told Janelle. And while I meant every word, until last year when I moved in with Gabby, I would’ve described myself more as a wild child rather than a judicious child caregiver. I guess being around kids has changed me.
See, Sienna, you can adult when you really want to.
Janelle and I chat about Liliana’s food preferences and nap times. Gabby always took notes for things like this, so I break out a pad of paper and pen and jot down what Janelle tells me so she can feel confident her daughter will be well cared for.
By the time the food arrives, Janelle seems more relaxed. The longer we talk, the more I think maybe we can be friends.
“So how did you guys meet?” Janelle asks as she nibbles on a slice of pizza.
She and I are sitting on the couch, and Ben is parked in the recliner next to me.
I reach for my drink, shove the straw in my mouth to occupy it, and look to Ben to answer this question. I’m not sure what kind of backstory he wants.
He’s quiet as his dark eyes study me. “I first noticed Sienna when she was hanging out with my sister. They were walking on campus last fall, and Sienna was hauling this huge workout bag. It was bigger than she was.”
I still, realizing he’s sharing something that actually happened.
He never takes his eyes off me as he tells the story. “Her sneaker fell out of her bag, and I retrieved it for her. The smile she gave me...” He holds his hand over his heart. “Swear to God, it was the best smile anyone had ever given me.”
My heart pounds as we stare at each other. “I lost my slipper,” I joke.
His lips tug up. “My very own little Cinderella.”
With an internal shake of my head, I remind myself that this sexual tension with Ben isn’t real. Even though it sure feels genuine.
How long do we have to pretend to date?
Lily tosses a chunk of crust, and it hits me in the side of the head.
Janelle laughs. “Sorry, not sorry.”
Or... maybe we won’t be friends.
I rub the spot and wonder if the baby has a future in sports. She nailed me right on my stitches.
Ben leans close and rubs my head for me, and he pulls me to his chest. “You okay?” he whispers.
I nod against him and try to play off how much that hurt. That whole part of my scalp is still really tender.
“It was just a piece of bread, for God’s sake,” Janelle says. “Ben, remember Mr. Rizzo’s pizza place by my parents’ old house? The one we used to go to all the time in middle school? Now those were some hard breadsticks. Pretty sure you’d need stitches if you got conked by one of those.”
I sit back in my seat and give her a weak smile. “You guys knew each other in middle school?”
“We’ve known each other since second grade,” she says pointedly. “Our whole lives basically. Our parents are best friends too. We grew up together. Saw each other every day. Fell in love. Had a baby.”
Ben makes a choked sound, and by his expression, I can tell he’s gearing up to lay into her.
I consider what she’s really saying as I turn to her and try to gentle my words. “Listen, I know this must be hard for you, seeing your ex move on, but I’m not the enemy. You guys were over a long time ago. Ben has had other women in his life before me.” A lot of other women, but I don’t say that. “And I’m not trying to encroach on your co-parenting situation. What you two have with your baby will always be special. My relationship with Ben does nothing to diminish that.”
I’m sure it’s easier for me to say this because I’m not in an actual relationship with Ben. If I were, I’m guessing I’d feel more possessive.
“You’re right,” she says, nodding slowly. “What Ben and I have will always be special. I’m the mother of his child. Can’t get more special than that. A part of him will be mine. Forever.” Her lips tilt up in a beautiful smile.
Really beautiful. Because she’s a gorgeous woman.
I hate that my stomach hurts when she says those words because I’m just the fake girlfriend, but the thought that Janelle tossed Ben away like she did and now wants him front and center in her life makes me want to kick her out of my house.
