Page 101 of Set the Moment
Trying her phone again, hope builds in my chest only to die a quick death.
“Hey…You’ve reached my voicemail!—”
Just as I’m about to hang up, another call interrupts me. Thinking it’s Sienna, I answer immediately, only for my shoulders to fall as my mom’s voice flows through the speaker.
“Sweetheart, I’ve got such great news!” Mom cheers through the line, and I can just imagine her doing her happy dance as amusement laces her tone.
Walking out of Blake’s empty bedroom, I go to my room and shut the door, kicking off my bedroom slippers.
My mom takes a deep breath, pausing for a dramatic effect before shouting, “Your brother has a girlfriend!”
“I think Corinne would be slightly offended if she heard you call her a ‘girlfriend’, Mom.” I chuckle as I throw on a hoodie and plop down on my bed, sketchbook in hand.
Mom giggles before brushing me off. “No, silly! Asa has a girlfriend! She’s pretty and tall, and that's all I know since someone—” she coughs exaggeratedly, “—is hiding her from us.”
I can hear Asa in the background objecting to my mom’s words before she laughs loudly.
“Anyways, honey, I’ll talk to you later! I can’t wait to see you on Thanksgiving, I have a big surprise for you. I love you!” she coos into the speaker as I grin.
“I love you, too, Mom.”
The next day, Blake and Cleo’s disgustingly happy and sex riddled faces find me at the house's front door while I’m on the phone with the local Summerfield florist.
Today’s my birthday brunch that the girls and I usually do the Saturday before my birthday.
Cleo and Blake stand awkwardly in front of me, and had I not been on a strict schedule today, I’d stay to chat and rib them some more.
But I’ve got a girl to find.
Sienna has been M.I.A all morning, not answering calls or texts.
Leaving those weirdos on the stairs, I make my way to the flower shop, Lola’s, just a few minutes from the house. Picking up some lilies and some chocolate chip cookies from The Sweet Tooth, I make my way over to the studio.
I refuse to go another day without seeing this woman.
My heart beats rapidly as I stand in front of the studios door, and just as I’m about to raise my hand to knock on the door , it swings open.
Sienna screams, jumping into my arms, and I catch her instantly. I grin as I inhale her warm scent, holding her as I set down the flowers andcookies.
“I missed you so much! These kids are going to be the death of me.” She chuckles, kissing me quickly before grabbing the box of cookies and stealing one.
“Did you miss me or the cookies?” I ask jokingly as she speaks directly to the sweet treat.
“You.” She grins, moaning lightly as she takes a bite.
We walk in a comfortable silence and settle inside Studio F. Sienna’s dance class from today ended about five minutes before I got here, which is perfect.
I’m not sharing her with anyone today. She’s all mine.
She leans her head on my shoulder, sighing contently as I hand her another cookie. As she turns to thank me for it, I instantly remember the gift I’d gotten for her.
It may be my birthday weekend, but spoiling my girl is an everyday thing.
“Close your eyes for me,” I say, smiling softly as she scrunches her face.
“If you’re about to try and get freaky in this studio, then you’ve lost your damn—”
I shove a cookie in her mouth. “That’s enough from you. Close your eyes.”
