Page 7 of The Baby Bargain
Iownthat look. "You know what—" I pull the sliding door closed. Which is wrong. We shouldn't be alone. Not with both of us single. "I'll have one."
No, I'm overthinking this.
The girl is heartbroken.
Yeah, I'll probably fuck it up if I try to help, but I can share a drink with her.
"It's a Moscow Mule," she says. "With ginger liqueur. It's great, but sweet."
"Make it the way you like."
"You sure?" She stands. Moves to the fridge. Pulls out vodka, liqueur, club soda, ice. "If you know what you want, why—"
"Maybe I don't know what I want."
She tries to laugh, but it comes out more like a cry. "Sorry, I—"
"Why are you sorry?"
"Is it obvious?"
Huh?
Her eyes fix on mine for a moment. "TheLoserprinted on my forehead?"
"'Cause you got dumped?"
She hesitates. "Yeah."
"Happens to everyone."
"Not Holden." Her gaze shifts to her brother's bedroom upstairs. Not that he lives there. It's just Ariel and her dad. Who's away on business.
After Forest leaves, it's just her.
My stomach twists. I don't like the thought of her drinking by herself.
I don't like the hurt spread over her face.
Because she's like a sister.
Not because her red lips make me think of—
They don't actually. Ariel is nothing like my ex. She's the polar opposite of my ex.
Ariel is steady, quiet, calm to a fault. Whereas Grace was… is. She's an artist. Wears her feelings on her sleeves. Rides her ups and downs like they're a roller coaster.
"You have to be with someone to get dumped," I say.
She nodstrue. Turns to the counter, fixes my drink, brings it to the table.
I sit across from her.
She looks different up close. Same black hair pinned to her head. Same thick glasses. Same freckles covering her nose.
But the red lips—
My heart twists. My stomach flutters. My balls tighten.
