“Are you okay?” Emily asked Sienna, as they unzipped their suitcases in the hallway and carried their things into Winston’s room. She’d been quiet since breakfast, which wasn’t like her. “Something was bothering you at the table.”
Sienna shook her head. “Nothing new.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Blair said, holding an armful of toiletries.
“I’m fine. Really.” She bent down and set her pajamas next to the air mattress.
Blair leaned into her view. “You’re not denying that Emily saw something, so you’d better just come out with it. We’ll eventually pull it out of you anyway. Why wait?”
Sienna shook her head. “I don’t know how to relate to kids. So why am I the one having one? I’m going to fail this child.”
Blair put her arm around Sienna. “That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is. I offered a game suggestion to Winston, and he hated it. I haven’t even heard of Candy Land.”
Emily pulled a face. “What did youdoduring your childhood?” she teased.
Blair giggled.
“But, seriously,” Emily continued, “you offered a suggestion that Patrick also tried. Was it perfect for Winston? No. But all anyone does is trial and error.”
“That’s right,” Blair added. “The child’s own likes and dislikes will guide you.Yourjob is just to love them and be a moral compass for them.”
Sienna sat on the edge of Winston’s bed and slumped. “Blair is far better suited to motherhood. How cruel is the irony?”
Emily lowered herself next to her. “Or maybe this is a wake-up call to the person you were meant to be.”
For the first time in the entirety of their relationship, fear showed on Sienna’s face. Tears glistened in her eyes. She tipped her head back and blinked. “I’ve been all over the place emotionally. I can’t cry. I have to go back out there, and I can’t have puffy eyes.”
“Maybe we can stay in here and say we’re tired,” Blair said with a consoling grin as she took a seat on the other side of Emily.
“No.” Sienna shook her head. “I won’t make you stay shut up for me.”
“It’s not entirely for you. Julia knows who I am, remember? She didn’t say anything more during breakfast, but I’m wondering when she’ll ask the big question. I’d kind of like to hide out.”
Emily’s phone went off, interrupting their talk. She took it out of her pocket and paused before answering. “It’s Will.”
Sienna made a face.
With a sigh, Emily answered. “Hello?”
“Hey, I ran into Rocko at the gym, and he said there’s a bad storm where you are. I was just checking on you.”
So he was being chivalrous now? It was a little late for that. Had his conscience caught up with him? And what would his new flame think of him checking in on his ex?
“I’m fine.”
A loaded silence filled the line, but she didn’t bother asking what he needed. She didn’t care what it was. She just wanted off the phone.
“Okay, well, I just wanted to be sure you were all right. I’ll go.”
“Bye.” She hung up.
Blair grimaced. “That was weird.”
“I don’t think he has a clue what to do now. He’s screwed everything up so much,” Emily said. “There might be a side of him that still worries about me, but checking in isn’t his place anymore.” Emily fell over onto them, amusement bubbling up out of nowhere.
“What’s wrong withyou?” Sienna asked.
