Sienna’s Pov:

Painting had always been my way of escaping reality and I was getting good at shutting the noise out.

It’s been days since I cried in Daniel’s car, he comforted me and made me feel seen, but he promised to give me space to heal. He didn’t want to prey on my vulnerability, but we remained friends, nothing sexual.

I could only think of him while painting, that was a good sign because the client needed erotic paintings for the art showcase, happening this year.

It was the biggest art showcase in America and everyone who was into art from curators, to gallery owners, to money launderers were going to be there and the fellowship was something that’d boost my exposure and work.

Not wanting to feel purposeless I applied for the showcase anonymously, they wouldn’t want a 42 years old competing with children. I had to use Zoe’s credentials to register, good thing we’re basically twins.

Leo was more like his father, not in character but physical attributes—height, skin color, eyes and even head shape. Zoe was all me, and that made me happy.

The knock on the door spooked me out because I wasn’t expecting anyone. Could it be? No! Again? He promised to give me space, well I do love his persistence.

I dropped the brush on the canvass, cleaned my face, straightened my shirt, just exposing enough tits to keep him wanting before I went to open the door.

To my surprise, it wasn’t Daniel, it was Lila holding a bottle of alcohol. My excited face went numb almost immediately.

“Were you expecting someone else?” She teased as her eyes wandered my body.

“Definitely not you,” I shot back, walking back to continue painting.

“Well, I am here now and I wanna get drunk,” she said as she walked in and slammed the door behind her.

“It is way too early to get drunk,” I reminded her.

“It is late somewhere, right? Besides I am celebrating and I need my best friend to be happy for me.”

She just got promoted to a senior partner after being denied promotion for so many years, all cause she was a woman who was way better than those punk ass men.

She’d come a long way and really deserved that promotion after bursting her ass out at Harvard Law and being one of the best students to get employed by the biggest firm in Miami. She was way past due for a promotion.

“I am happy for you, Lila. I really am,” I smiled.

She goes into the kitchen to get 2 glasses and placed them on a small stool before going ahead to pop the bottle and pouring the drink into the glasses. She handed one to me.

“Let’s make a toast,” she smiled sheepishly.

“To what?” I asked curiously.

“To getting our lives together and making the best of it. We damned consequences and all, we choose ourselves.” She shouted.

We drank for a little while and I was a light drinker so I was high as a kite. I had no idea what happened afterwards but what I do know is that she was daring me to take the bold step.

“Call him!” She screamed.

“Okay, I will,” I shot back.

I got on my phone, my face all red and squishy thinking about what I was going to do. Damning consequences and all as I dialed Daniel’s number.

“Ooh, it’s ringing,” she cooed.

“He’s not going to pick up,”

“Shut the fuck up,”

“Hello!” Daniel’s voice came sharp and sexy as always from the other end.

“Daniel, hi!” I said, my voice was shaky not from fear but because I was high.

“Sienna, didn’t think you’d call me this fast. You must be missing me,” he teased.

“Well, I am making a reservation at the La Palace for tonight.” I giggled.

I could hear him gasped, like he was surprised I was doing this, heck I was surprised myself but I went for it still.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” He asked, his voice showed how excited he was.

“A friendly date. So, are you game?”

He smiled, “I’ll be there.”

“Good,” I said as I ended the call.

My breath hitched as my heart skipped a beat before I let out a loud scream.

OH MY GOD! What did I just do? I got him to go on a date with me.

“You’re gonna get some tonight, right?” Lila teased.

“I dunno,” I laughed. “What I do know is that I need to get the best dress I have to rock his world.”

“Yo! i have the perfect dress for you,” she let out a devious laugh.

In the evening, at the La Palace. This was a top restaurant in Miami and I’d always wanted to go on a date with Evan here.

Lila took me here when we had our girls’ trip and I fell in love with the place. The interior decor, the ambience, the place gave great comfort to me.

I alighted from the cab, I saw him through the window looking at the silverware as if it was a mirror then I let out a soft laugh. I walked to where he was, and held the chair.

“This chair taken?” I asked, my voice soft and calm.

He lifted his eyes up and was in awe of the beauty standing in front of him. I had on a red mesh dress that hugged my curves, the slit was high up my thighs and it showed cleavage. My hair was packed in a bun but I had my bangs stand out with different highlights, my makeup was flawless thanks to Lila.

His eyes raked me from top to bottom then back to the top again, he was short of words as he bask in the sight in front of him.

He still shocked, “No,” he said. He stood up and walked over to help me with the chair before he went back to his chair.

“You look really beautiful, Sienna.” He complimented me.

“Thank you,” I said smiling.

The waiter came then took our orders and left.

“I wasn’t expecting you to show, Daniel. Not after the way we ended things the other day.” I said, my voice was calm but apologetic.

“I did think about it, but it would be wrong to do that,” he said. “If I had not shown then I’d not have seen this beauty in front of me.” He blew a whistle softly.

I smiled as his words sent cold through my body. He had way with words and he was good, damn good.

“So, I’m going to be straight with you.” I said.

“About?” He asked.

“Do you recall the question you asked at the coffee shop? If I still want you?” I questioned.

“Yes! You blew it right out the park with those words…”

“I didn’t mean them,” I said cutting him off.

“You didn’t?”

“I am here to give you a straight answer, right now.”

“I am all ears,” he folded his arms across his chest like he was ready to brace himself from crashing down, just in case I let him off.

I smiled and took in a deep breath and exhaled. “I have had it rough in life, I didn’t get to experience life as everyone else did, but I am grateful for the product of that life, my kids. I’ll always pick them over anybody or anyone but I don’t wanna lose a good thing because I am scared or just pessimistic before even trying...” I chuckled holding back the tears in my eyes.

“Hey,” his hand held mine on the table. “It’s okay. Take your time.” He said.

I scoffed, “I had a long ass speech but I’ve forgotten everything…” I laughed.

“I never liked long speeches before anyways,” he teased as I burst into laughter. “So, maybe give me the summary?”

I held his arm, and caressed it, “All I want to say is, I do want you, Daniel. You’re all I can think of—when I’m painting, when I sleep—you’re in my head and I cannot get you out.”

He caressed my hand back. “That’s a good thing, right?”

“It is,” I added. “But I can’t give you the relationship that you desire.”

His face shifted from being happy to being confused. “What do you mean?”

“We have to keep this between us, and no one else had to know,” I told him, my voice shaky with uncertainty.

This was the only thing I could offer, I might sound selfish but it is the best to keep us together.

He sighed, then looked at me as his eyes met mine. He looked as if he could read what was going on and he took in a deep breath that made my heart beat fast, so fast anyone could hear it.

“It’s fine, Sienna.” He said.

Fine? Did he say fine? I didn’t understand what he meant. Just as I was about to ask the waiter came in with our orders and served us before leaving. Then I looked at him, wondering what went on in his head.

He took my fingers and clamped it with his, then he smiled. “As long as I got you to myself, I have no worries.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Absolutely.” He said, but his smile vanished.

Again? What was it this time?

“I have a request, though.”

“Shoot,”

“Can I kiss you right now?”

I smiled and looked at him intensely, “No!”

He smirked, “ Do you want to get out of here?”