Page 36 of Sure, Pal

Sienna wasn’t shy. She was reserved and thoughtful, and she just didn’t love crowds of people. There was a difference. “Okay, Ava.” I turned away from her to watch Sienna sing.

“Evan.” Ava’s hand was on my arm. “I know things ended badly between us back in high school, but I’m really hoping we can patch things up and at least be friends again.”

Her words almost seemed sincere, but I didn’t want to hear them. I wanted to hear Sienna sing. I gave Ava a dismissive nod and turned back to Sienna.

She started with Make You Feel My Love. I let her beautiful voice wash over me, and I felt my tense shoulders relaxing. The fist of grief and worry around my heart slowly started to loosen its grip. I watched her face and her intense gold-green eyes as she sang and adored every inch of her.

Then Ava leaned her head on my shoulder and jerked me out of my moment. She sighed and said, “I’ve missed you.”

I glanced down at Ava’s shiny blonde hair and stepped away from her. What the hell did she think she was doing?

When Sienna finished her set and stepped down from the stage, Ava grabbed her for the first hug, claiming her. “Ah! Sienna! You are incredible! Oh my God! My best friend is a fucking star! Ah!”

Sienna laughed and hugged Ava back. “I don’t know if I want to be a star, Aves. It’s too scary.”

Ava rolled her eyes. “Maybe at first.” She pulled out her phone. “Take a selfie with me, girl.”

Sienna narrowed her eyes. “Uh, okay, but don’t tag me in it.”

“I don’t know why you won’t let me tag you. I could get your followers to skyrocket over-night.”

“Exactly.” Sienna raised a single eyebrow at Ava and then smiled for the photo.

Sienna turned to me next with a shy smile. “Hey, Evan. Thanks for coming.”

I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her breathless in front of everyone, but she wanted to wait to tell Ava. She was worried about Ava’s feelings. I gave Sienna a quick, mostly platonic hug instead. “I’ll come for you every time, pal.” I grinned at her and hoped she caught my sexual reference. The way her cheeks turned slightly pink told me that she did.

Ava was staring at her phone, not paying any attention to us. Then she glanced up with a big, fake smile. “Let’s do dinner with the old gang! I know the perfect place!” She pulled her phone out again and started typing furiously. “I’ll call Rob, too.” She sank into an empty chair and held her phone up to her ear.

Sienna’s phone dinged with a notification, and then another and another. She frowned and pulled it from her back pocket. Anger flashed through her eyes. “Ava! What the hell?” She turned her phone to Ava, and I saw the photo they’d just taken. Ava had tagged Sienna, exactly like she’d asked her not to.

Ava rolled her eyes and mouthed, “You’re welcome.”

I raised both eyebrows at Sienna and gave her a pointed look.

She pressed her lips together in a tight line and shook her head at me. Was she going to take that shit from Ava?

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