Page 23 of Retrograde
‘Sienna?’ He blinked at her, feeling a little lost. Should he be friendly? Passive-aggressive? Bitter? Instead, he just felt confused. ‘I didn’t realise you were back in Sydney.’
‘Likewise. I’m surprised you’re not still gallivanting around somewhere in Europe.’
‘Don’t like to stay in one place too long.’
‘I know.’ She looked down at her Birkenstocks, playing with her keychain.
‘So,’ he cleared his throat, ‘how did ya find out about this place?’
‘Zara’s sister owns it, didn’t you realise?’ Her brow furrowed. Zara was an old school friend of theirs, and funnily enough the friend who had re-introduced them years ago at a party. Cheers, Zara.
‘No way is that Zara’s kid sister!’ Brett gasped, peeringthrough the door to where she stood at the till. He suddenly felt very old.
‘Yeah,’ Sienna laughed. ‘You don’t pay much attention to what goes on around here any more, do you?’
‘Nah. Moved on with my life.’ He shrugged.
‘Have you?’ Sienna eyed him wearily.
‘Um…’ he hesitated. The truth was, he hadn’t moved on at all, had he? What Sienna had done to him had sent him into a spiral. But maybe seeing her here now was a sign from the universe. A sign of what, he wasn’t quite sure.
‘How have you been, then?’
His crush on Sienna had begun way back in school, and transitioned into more when they met again as adults. There was something about her that always drew him in. She was fiery, feisty, independent. She reminded him of Lucie, except he didn’t feel the same pressure to provide stability for her. She’d been a party animal, it was her nature. Just like him. But he couldn’t deny that cracks had started to show, he’d been spending more time travelling and less time back in Sydney with her, and she wouldn’t come with him. Then he found out about the cheating, and the trust was gone.
‘I’ve been all right. You?’ He shifted uncomfortably.
‘Yeah, good. Look, I’m gonna go. I get the vibe you don’t feel like catching up.’
Before she could walk away, he grabbed her hand. ‘Sienna, wait. I’m sorry. Do you want to sit down and have a coffee with me?’
‘Really?’ Her blue eyes went wide and as he looked ather, he saw a childlike innocence. Childhood memories came back to haunt him, and it made it hard to hold a grudge.
‘Yeah, come on. My treat.’
As they sat down together, Sienna having come back inside for her second iced latte of the day, it felt surprisingly normal. Brett wasn’t sure how that made him feel, or whether he actually wanted to be sitting here.
‘How’s the family?’ She sipped her drink slowly, cautiously. It couldn’t be more obvious that she didn’t know how to act around him either.
‘Yeah, great. How’s your mum?’ He bit into his croissant. ‘Oh my god, this is unreal!’ He looked at her, guilty for the interruption. ‘Sorry, continue.’
‘That’s fine,’ she laughed. ‘Same old Brett, eh? Mum is good. Married again.’
‘Again?!’ Brett gawked. ‘That’s… what? Husband number six?’
‘Yep. I like this one, though. Hopefully he sticks around. So, when’s your next race?’
‘Uhh, about two weeks’ time.’ He swallowed roughly. Could he trust her? Jasper wasn’t releasing a statement about his absence from Monza for another week, but did he really want to tell her while he wasn’t even sure where they stood?
‘Oh, Monza?’ she smiled.
‘That’s the one.’ Brett grinned back at her.
‘I’m glad you’re still enjoying racing. It’s hard to imagine you doing anything else.’
There was something odd about her tone; did shewish she had gone around the world with him? Or did she just regret making herself the enemy in the end?
‘Neither can I.’ And it was true. It was just another reason he needed to pull his socks up and stop drinking. ‘What have you been doing with yourself the last few years, then? Still causing trouble in the clubs and bars?’
