Page 14 of From the Ashes
“Lana’s date was super hot, that’s what’s good.” She smirks devilishly.
“Oh, okay, um, good for you,” he chuckles, “as long as he’s kind to ya.” His eyes soften, filled with knowledge of what I’ve been through.
“We’ll see, so far so good,” I reassure him as he nods back with a warm smile. “Alright, time to go home, I’ll see you guys soon.” I stand and sleek my dress.
“Stay, lunch is almost ready,” Nancy offers.
“No, I don’t want to impose; you already took care of him this morning.”
“C’mon, stay, there’s plenty of food and the kids are happy to be together, really, we love having you here.” She smiles, and I sigh.
“Okay, thanks, Sis, but let me help you.” I reach for the plate cupboard and start setting the table, knowing where everything is in the kitchen since I lived here for a few months last year. Then I walk to my boy and sit next to him.
“Mom,” he smiles, hugging me tight, “Chloé won again.” He pouts, and I run my hand through his golden brown short hair.
“That’s okay, you can pick another game later. We’re gonna eat lunch here,” I tell him, kissing his forehead.
“Yay!” he shouts as he gets up and starts running after his cousins, catching Ava and tickling her. I look at him and shake my head with a smile.
My boy.
I take a deep breath as I remind myself of Carter and me this morning. Whatever pull I feel toward him, he’ll have to have the patience of a monk to break my walls and enter my world, because this is priceless, and I’ll protect it at all costs.
5
LANA
Ben
Look at this, baby. You were so hot back then. Admit it, you miss me.
I stare at my phone,my jaw on the floor, as I just finished playing Pictionary with Noah. Ben has no shame. I don’t think he even knows the word. An old picture of him and me kissing on the beach on holiday shines before me, our smiles contrasting with what he now ignites in me: disgust and fear.
You were so hot back then.
I touch my belly, the softness of my skin making me swallow hard. I’m fit, work out, and take care of myself, but I’m definitely not as thin as I used to be before having Noah. I may be in shape now, but I know my skin is a bit loose compared to a woman who didn’t carry a child. I’m normally okay with it, and from the looks I get when I walk in the streets, most men find me attractive, so why does this text make me feel like trash? The doorbell rings; it’s six-thirty. The sitter just arrived. I open the door to a lovely young blonde girl, her university law books under her arm, with her glasses on.
“Hi, Rachel, we just finished the Pictionary. He’s all yours,” I greet her.
“Hi, Mrs. Matterson, how fun!” she says with a large smile as she enters.
“Rachel!” shouts Noah, running to her as she lifts him, even though he’s not a baby anymore. I found Rachel thanks to Nancy last year; she’s Chloe and Ava's babysitter, too, so I knew I could trust her with my boy. Noah adores her because she agrees to read him more books than I do before bed, but I like that she can also be firm and put limits when needed.
“Mom, can I watch Nemo with Rachel just a bit, please?” He joins his little hands in a prayer.
“Just twenty minutes and without the shark scenes, okay? Last time you had a nightmare, remember?”
“That was really scawy, Rachel. If you saw it, you’d have nightmares too,” he assures her, and Rachel and I exchange a soft smile at his cute concern.
“I’m gonna go change. Make yourself at home, Rachel,” I say as I climb the stairs to change into workout clothes.
“What should I wear?” I mutter, spreading a pink pilates ensemble on the bed. No, that won’t do. I dig in my dresser and find a pair of high-waisted black shorts with a black crop top. Much better. Boxing style. I mean, I think it is. Sliding in the clothes, I grab a pink scrunchie, fix a high ponytail, then stand in front of my mirror.
Not bad.
Not bad at all.
Cute but not over the top.
