Greatest Distraction (Distracted #1) (6 page)

*
Elle:
We are golden.*

*
Me:
Squeeee! When do you turn into a pumpkin?*

*
Elle:
Ha! Not Cinderella today. No ‘curfew’. Pick up?*

I was nodding and grinning like a fool at the phone, despite the fact she couldn’t see me.
A day with Elle and no time constraints? Score! That never happened. She must’ve promised Nick something good … or way worth it. Even I had to admit my friend did good – she managed to snag one of the only decent guys left in the world. Plus, a great father.

*
Me:
Definitely. Be there in thirty.*

*
Elle:
Can’t wait!*

All but springing around, I quickly slipped on my gladiator sandals, no
t caring if it was cold out … not that I checked. Sweater, purse, and keys, and I was heading out the door.

About halfway down the street, I remembered the lonely cup of coffee I’d doctored but left untouched.
Luck is on my side today,
I thought, my disappointment evaporating when I spotted the Starbucks on my right. Smiling, I flipped my blinker on and pulled up to the drive through. Hell, I even ordered two. Twins under the age of three, crazy early in the morning? I’m sure Elle needed the caffeine greatness even more than me.

Chapter Five
 

“Auntie Why-en,” a high-pitched child squeal met me when the door opened. My smile grew, almost painfully, as a tiny brown-haired girl sprinted toward me, never slowing as she flung herself into my arms. Kallie’s eyes were bright, her face pink with excitement.

My arms shot out, happily scooping her up and holding her tightly. I loved both of Elle’s daughters, but
Kallie and I had a bond. I always joked and told my friend that there’d been some sort of mistake and she’d somehow given birth to a girl with my DNA. Putting her down, quickly remembering I’d been sick lately, I dutifully took her proffered hand and allowed her to lead me farther into the house.

“
Heya, pretty girl,” I said, grinning wider when she giggled.

“Daddy
say you and momma do big girl stuff. I wanna go! Me big too!” the child said, her bottom lip jutting out as she pouted at me. Between her little baby slur and the look on her face, she was almost too freaking adorable to see and I had to school my face not to smile. She was awfully serious.

“You
are
big … How about if you say it’s okay, your mommy and I will go this time. But,” I said, holding up a hand to stop her before she could protest. “Next time, just you and me will have a girls’ day?” I hated the frown that was still pinching her lips down. Good thing I wasn’t her momma … That girl would be spoiled with a capital “S.”

“Hmm,” she pondered, scrunching her tiny features as she chewed the idea over. “Oh
kayyyyy, Auntie Why-en, but just Kawwie!”

“Yep, just you, angel.”

Hugging my leg, she bounded away, her voice carrying through the hall as she went. “Maceyyyyyy! Auntie Why-en gon’ take me for a girls’ day, and not you!”

Oh boy. What did I do? Surely that was going to cause a fight, or tears at the very least. Sure enough, high
-pitched bickering commenced and filtered toward me until Macey appeared, holding her blanket tight to her chest.
Oh no.
Her eyes were filling with tears.
I am in so much trouble …from a two-year-old.

“Oh,
Macey!” I exclaimed, mentally cursing my stupidity. I knew better than to promise something for one and not the other one. I hadn’t been thinking. I blamed the Nyquil shots from last night – yeah, that was it. Hangover. “Don’t cry, little one.”

“Aunt
Ry-Ry … do you not like me? Kallie said you didn’t … dat’s why I can’t come too.”

Whelp, my heart just officially broke.
Stupid,
stupid
Ryen. I couldn’t help myself, I moved forward and pulled the tiny hurt girl tight against me. I could have slapped myself right about now. I almost wished she’d do it for me.

“No! Silly
, silly girl! I love you both the same,” I soothed, my hand running through her short blonde curls. While she and Kallie were technically identical twins, to me, they looked nothing alike. Sure they had similarities and features equally taken from each parent, but that was about it. Macey had inherited her mom’s hair color with Nick’s curls. Kallie, on the other hand, had hair as dark as mine, like Nick – despite my genetic claims on her – with Elle’s naturally perfect, straight locks. Both girls had hazel eyes, their only true identical trait. They were so much more than the color described though; a true mixture of brown and blue, I was constantly jealous. Throw in the longest eyelashes ever and I was downright a green-eyed monster.

“Tell you what – when I get back from New York, I’ll take you out too
… your choice. Anything you want to do, we’ll do.” I’d do anything, well, practically anything, to get Macey’s lip to stop quaking.

Deciding my offer sounded fair, the little girl smiled shyly, hugged me once more, and bounded back toward her room. “
Kallllllllllllie…” her voice echoed and I sat down on the floor, my head in my hands.
Déjà vu.
I just couldn’t win with them. Note to self: Ryen apparently cannot handle more than one child at a time. I fail.

Masculine laughter brought my face up and I found Nick leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Elle was standing right beside him, her hand over her mouth, trying unsuccessfully to cover her smile. I idly wondered how long they’d been standing there. Then I wondered why the hell they didn’t save me.

My face must’ve expressed my thoughts because this time, Elle couldn’t cover up her laughter. I scowled at her, which only made her laugh harder. Were those tears forming in her eyes?

“Shut it, woman,” I grumped, remaining exactly where I was on the floor. If this
was what she dealt with on a day-to-day basis, it was a wonder she even dressed herself in the mornings. Hell, I’d only been here for five freaking minutes and I was already exhausted. I don’t know how she does it.

“Sorry, can’t help but laugh. You should know better by now. It only happens ever freaking time you come over.” Though she’d finally stopped laughing, she was still smiling.

“Yeah, yeah … I just can’t help it. They break my heart.”

“They’re playing you, sister, and you fall right into their hands.”

So, she spoke the truth, doesn’t change anything. Every time I came over, I somehow ended up leaving with promises for more stuff. Candy, dolls, toys, trips to the park – you name it, I’ve promised it. Apparently I don’t learn. You probably wouldn’t either if you saw them. Maybe.

“You ready, Mrs.
Laughy Pants?” I asked as I made my way to my feet. She was still trying to suppress her mirth at the situation, or me. I’m glad I could provide some adult entertainment.

“Yep,” she answered, loudly calling for the girls to come say goodbye to us. Soon after, they hugged us each in turn, and I swear on all that’s holy I saw them look at each other and wink. Well played, kids, well played.

“MMM. Thank you for the coffee,” Elle sighed loudly, reclining in the passenger seat of my Civic. I think she’s magic – not even kidding – she was not only dressed but also make-upped and chipper. Hair shining and perfectly styled, she looked great in her designer shoes, jeans, and ombre-pink lacy top. Despite my own attempts, I’d already gotten fed up and piled my hair in a top knot, and now felt like a slob in black.

“Yeah, well, it would’ve been warmer if you hadn’t let your children own me.” My ire of the situation was pretty much over. I couldn’t be upset over spending time with the girls. Besides, I’d known they had me wrapped around their pinkies
… They had since the day they were born.

When they were
born prematurely, I’d taken leave from work to stay with Elle, keeping her company in the NICU. Seeing my friend so broken and the two tiny little people fighting for their lives had been humbling. I’d cried, prayed, hoped, and smiled at every turn, just like they were my own. The minute Elle had asked me to be their godmother, they were; as close as I was getting for a while, anyway. They owned me and, if that’s the worst that happened, I was just peachy with it.

“The look on your face is always worth the lack of warmth in the coffee you bring me,” she answered, smiling, her eyes twinkling. “Besides, you love it and you know it.”

This time my smile was as big as hers as I answered, “True story.”

We rode in silence to the
spa, me lost in my plans for New York and her soaking up the peace and quiet found during the trip. One of the best things about our friendship, we’d learned, was that we didn’t have to continuously talk; we were both content to just be in the other’s company. It was great, and took a great deal of pressure off when thinking of things to say. Instead, when we did talk, we weren’t forcing ourselves into mindless drivel so popular to our age group.

“Um
… Ryen? I thought we were going for mani/pedis? Perfections is the other way,” Elle said, interrupting my thoughts. I forgot to tell her that I’d changed my mind; we’d still be getting manicures and pedicures, but we’d also be getting a massage and facial – complete with food pampering. When I’d changed directions from the salon to the spa, it hadn’t even dawned on me to tell her. Besides, I was paying.

“We
are
getting mani/pedis … but we’re also getting the A-star treatment at Bella Sol.”

“We’re going to the spa?” my friend asked, sounding surprised and girly happy all at the same time. I loved it when she did that, I could practically see her bouncing in her seat.

“Yep! My treat! I figured the Hollywood package would suit. We’ll get our hands and feet done, along with facials and –”

“Massages! Strawberries and champagne
, too!!” Okay, maybe I’d underestimated her excitement. She was just like her daughter, just this shy of squealing and fist pumping.

“So
… is that an okay change? I mean, I could always turn back around…” I said, laughing at her. I couldn’t help it, but her happiness was completely contagious.

“YES!”

I flinched, her response coming out as a high-pitched scream. She saw it, and immediately toned it down a level so I could concentrate on driving. I felt a little bad for that; I loved her excitement. Luckily we were pulling into the parking lot and would soon be in absolute heaven.