“Mm-hmm. You just caught me by surprise is all.” She waves me off with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her golden-brown eyes. I notice she’s still avoiding eye contact with me in a very similar fashion as in the diner. Interesting.
I take note of Beth still half-cocked with the cerealbox, ready to unleash it on me any second, so I take a slight step away from her and closer to Sienna.
“Between my friends in the diner and the mark I’ve definitely left on your ankle, I’ve been a real asshole. Is there any way I can make it up to you?” I’m not sure why the question leaves my mouth, given the fact that I was looking for closure, not…whatever this is.
“You don’t have to make it up to me. I’m fine.” Turning to Beth, she gestures for them to go.
It’s strange, but watching them walk away feels wrong. I feel an involuntary pull toward Sienna as her distance from me grows. I don’t understand the feeling, but it’s uncomfortable. I hate being uncomfortable.
That’s when it hits me. From the very little I’ve gathered about Sienna, I can tell she’s calm and polite, yet there’s a quiet strength to her as well. She’s exactly the type of woman I’ve been looking for. Having Sienna by my side would surely convince Roman I’ve become more responsible. After all, in my experience, women like her never date men like me. Not unless we’re willing to settle down. She’s perfect.
Leaving my cart behind, I catch up to them in only a few strides. As I cut in front of them and block their path, I wince at my mistake. By Sienna’s startled look and Beth’s protective stance, I realize I could’ve gone about this in a less aggressive way.
“I share a place with two of my friends, and we’re throwing one last party before graduation as a big farewell. You should come.” I realize I’m staring at Sienna when I remember that her armed-and-dangerous friend is with her. “Both of you. We’ll have plenty of snacks anddrinks.” Smiling, I motion to my cart that was left at the scene of the crime.
Neither of them says anything, so I continue to ramble, “No pressure to be there, I just wanted to offer my apologies and was hoping an invite to my party would be the start of that.” I hold up my hands as a show of innocence so I don’t get whacked with the cereal box again. Alex put me through an intensive arm workout the other day. My biceps have had enough abuse.
Sienna hesitates. “I don’t know. We have finals to study for before graduation.”
I can feel her slipping through my hands. Along with her goes my chance of working with my brother.
“Let me grab your number, and I’ll text you the details. The party is next weekend, so you’ll have plenty of time to think about it.” I grab my phone from my sweatshirt pocket and open a new contact page. Handing it over to Sienna, I’m surprised when she types her number on the screen.
“Great. I’ll text you the details,” I say, stepping aside so I’m no longer blocking their path to the exit.
Sienna gives a silent nod before they take off. I don’t usually text a woman this quickly, but I can’t stop myself from texting her as I head back toward my cart.
Theo
Sorry again for the cart incident.
This is Theo btw.
I’m making my way down the soda aisle when myphone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a notification from Sienna.
Sienna
All good. Nothing a little ice can’t fix.
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. At least she texted me back. Now I just have to figure out how to ask her to be my fake girlfriend for the summer.
4
SIENNA
Kicking off my shoes, I toss my bag on the floor in the entryway of my apartment. Too tired to place the bag neatly on its rightful hook, I head toward the couch. Falling face-first into the plush navy-blue cushions, I wish my problems away as I sink deeper. The smell of coffee invades my nose, and I wonder if I’m going to smell like this permanently.
“How many times were you asked for a cappuccino with no foam today?” Beth asks me from where she sits in her emerald-green swivel chair next to the living room window.
“Too many to count, but enough to lose brain cells.” My response is muffled by my face buried deep into the couch pillows.
I don’t have to look up to know that Beth watches me with a sly grin on her face. We’ve known each other since kindergarten, so I've memorized her facial expressions.
Beth is my opposite in many ways, but that’s part of what makes us such great friends. Take fashion, forexample. Where I struggle, Beth excels. She never fails to find the perfect outfit for any occasion. Especially since the many tattoos that decorate her body elevate any clothing item she wears. I’ve failed to see the day she doesn’t find something that perfectly complements her light skin tone, brown hair, and blue eyes.
Although she constantly reminds me that her success in finding clothing items is more due to the fact that the fashion industry caters heavily to that specific combo, rather than her talent. I think it’s a bit of both.
Unfortunately for me, where I’m taller and slimmer, she is shorter with a textbook hourglass body type. Which means I’m usually more likely to wear an old sweatshirt from my closet than I am to find something in hers that will fit me.
