Page 26 of More Than a Friend
Zoe’s meticulously—but messily—patting the cheap blush onto Skylar’s face.
Skylar, who has a carefully curated skincare routine and refuses to deviate from it because it makes her break out.
Skylar, who is so particular about the brands she puts on her face she stocks up on products she likes in case they get discontinued.
Skylar, who has silver eyeshadow from the cheap palette smeared on her eyelids and a bright smile on her face.
Her lips are—sloppily—painted a deep maroon, and I know she let Zoe use her fancy lipstick for this makeover. A lipstick that probably cost around fifty dollars and is now smooshed and misshapen, lying open on the coffee table behind Zoe.
Gus is sitting next to them on the floor, and when he puts the final joint in the creation he’s working on, he holds it up to show Skylar and gives her a small smile.
“Holy cow, bud. That’s dope! You said it’s a mountain racer?”
“Yeah. It’s one of the hardest ones to build,” Gus says shyly, holding up the instruction booklet so she can see.
“Dang, you’re smart! I don’t think I could have figured it out so fast. You made it in ten minutes? I’m impressed.”
Gus shrugs, dipping his chin to his chest to try and hide his proud smile. “I can teach you if you want.”
Skylar smiles wide. “I’d love that. Maybe after dinner? It looks like your mom brought home Chinese food.”
Both kids’ heads whip to where I’m standing, and I hold up the bags.
“YES! Mommy, you’re the best!” Zoe screams, dropping the brush and rushing to wrap her arms around my legs.
Gus is slower to greet me but still gives me a tight squeeze around my waist. “Did you get orange chicken?”
I swipe his hair away from his forehead. “Sure did. I know it’s your favorite. I also got those cream cheese wontons you like. Why don’t you and Zoe wash your hands while Auntie Sky and I dish up the food?”
Gus and Zoe rush to the bathroom, and Skylar joins me in the kitchen.
I want to wrap her in a hug and give her a kiss. I like coming home and having her here already. I want to tell her all about therapy and ask her about her day over dinner, then put the kids down together before we lie in bed and snuggle or… do other things.
I shake off those thoughts, smirking at her instead. “New look?”
Skylar rolls her eyes but flips her hair over her shoulder. “I think this is the new trend. Who doesn’t want sparkly eyelids and messy lipstick?”
I chuckle and shake my head as I grab plates from the cabinet. “Thank you for indulging her, I know how particular you are about what goes on your face. And thank you so much again for picking them up. I’m sorry?—”
Skylar cuts me off by holding her hand up. “Stop thanking me, Ava. I love you guys, Iwantto be here for you. I wasn’t indulging her, I had a good time, even if she did poke me in the eye twice.”
“We love you, too,” I whisper.More than you know.
We spend the rest of the evening eating and listening to the kids tell us about their days. Zoe chatters on about herdaycare adventures, and Gus tells us about these robots they’re programming in computer class. It’s the most animated I’ve seen him in a while, and I make a mental note to ask him about it again one-on-one.
Skylar sticks around so Gus can show her how to build the mountain racer while I give Zoe a bath, then she reads Zoe a story while I help Gus shower.
Once the kids are tucked in bed, Skylar wordlessly helps me do the dishes and clean up their discarded toys.
More than once, I find myself blinking back tears at how effortless it is to have her here and be part of our routine.
“Thank you for sticking around and helping,” I say as she slips her shoes on at the door.
She gives me an unimpressed look. “How many times do I have to tell you Iwantto be here? Iwantto be part of your lives, youandthe kids. Let me be here for you. Stop trying to shoulder everything on your own.”
Our eyes lock and for a few charged seconds, I wonder if she’s going to kiss me.
The tension between us is palpable, and I want nothing more than to throw myself at her and tell her I love her and ask her to stay. Stay and tell me if she feels the same way.
