"But, first, I, uh… I wanted to say something. About our call."
"You were clear."
"Maybe. But I want to look at you when I say it." Her fingers curl around my neck. "I want to get there. Where we trust each other completely. I know it will take time, but I do want to get there."
That's the only thing I want. "Me too."
"And I will be honest with you. Even if it hurts. I promise." She presses her lips to mine. "But, uh, that's the last I'll say of my desire to—"
"Feel my hand around your throat."
Her cheeks flush. "Because Sienna… she's uh, god, she's going to have a field day with you." She smiles. "You have a little." She runs her thumb over my lower lip. "You're wearing my lipstick."
"Does it suit me?"
"It does. You look good in wine." She smiles. "And Sienna will love that we're making out in the hallway."
"Really?"
She nods. "I told you. She's obsessed with sex. And she's going to ask so many questions, so—"
"Do you really doubt my restraint?"
Her blush deepens. "No. I just want you prepared."
My shoulders fall. My jaw softens.
She doesn't think I'm a monster.
She wants this as much as I do.
More even.
"She's easily distracted. So bring up soccer. She's really into that one player," she says.
"The one player?"
"His thighs. She goes on about the soccer player's thighs." Her eyes flit to my legs. "You do have great legs."
"She's the one who wants to talk about sex?"
She mimes zipping her lips. Motions to the door are you ready?
My chest gets light. My limbs too.
I'm nervous. I didn't expect to be nervous.
How hard is it to charm a teenage girl who loves football and handsome men?
But this isn't an intern desperate for my approval. Or a waitress looking for a tip. Or even a woman seeking a connection with a man.
It's Indigo's sister.
The most important person in her life. The only person she loves.
I know Indigo. If her sister asks her to end this—
I'm not going to win that battle. I don't want to fight that battle.
I need to impress her, now. To convince her my intentions are good.
They are.
I'm committed to Indie.
That's better than something as mercurial as love. I won't leave if my feelings change. I won't wake up one day and decide I can do better.
I won't abandon her.
"Ty?" Indigo's voice softens. "Are you ready?"
I nod.
She offers her hand. When I take it, she sucks in a heavy inhale. Opens the door slowly. "Sienna, this is Ty." She moves aside.
I step through the doorframe.
A tall teenage girl in a grey jumper stares at me. Her jaw drops. Her light eyes go wide.
She has Indigo's strong nose, and her long frame, but the rest of her features are softer. Light hair, hazel eyes, casual attire.
"Holy fuck, Indigo." She's obvious about checking me out. "I thought he got fat."
"Oh my god." Indigo shakes her head. "Sorry, she—"
"He's so hot." She presses her lips together. "I mean, uh, that's right. I'm Sienna." She holds out her hand. "Is Ty short for something? Or is it some kinky nickname?"
Indigo laughs.
"Right. Yeah. She asked me to be on my best behavior. And not make everything about sex. But come on…" Sienna looks to her sister. "She hasn't gotten any in forever and suddenly she's walking around with a satisfied look and hickeys? I'm not an idiot."
"It's nice to meet you, Sienna." I offer my hand.
"Has that been—" Sienna motions to Indigo's short skirt.
"Oh my god." Indigo hides behind her palm.
I chuckle. "Not yet, no."
Sienna moves forward to shake. "But later?"
"If I'm lucky."
"Okay, this has been a good talk," Indigo says. "Now we're going to leave and—"
"Uh, I don't think so." Sienna looks to her sister. "I haven't met one of your boyfriends since Noah. And, honestly, he was hot, but a zero. You know the type, right, Ty?"
"I'm not sure I do," I say.
Sienna shoots me an incredulous look, but she still explains. "Nice. Family oriented. All right on paper, but just… dull. They didn't have anything in common either. But I guess I don't know what the two of you have in common besides—" She makes an o with one hand. Pushes two fingers through it.
"Sienna!" Indigo turns bright red. "Please don't discuss my sex life."
"But you do have one now. A sex life?" She looks to me. "Do I have to get you drunk first? Or will you tell me all my sister's secret desires if I ask?"
"You can try. If you think that will work," I say.
"I'll consider that." She gives me a slow once-over. Looks to her sister. "I'm not supposed to comment on your appearance."
"No?" I ask.
She nods yeah. "It's rude. To congratulate my sister for having a hot boyfriend in front of him."
"You are objectifying me," I say.
"Sure, but, come on. You've never told a guy congrats on the hot girlfriend?" She raises a brow, the exact same way Indigo does. "Really?"
"Not in front of her," I say.
"But you have." She looks to Indigo. "See. This is how guys act. Why can't we act that way?"
"What do you want to say?" I ask. "Maybe congratulations, Indie, your boyfriend has a fantastic arse?"
Sienna nods. "Seems reasonable, yeah."
"And if I went to my brother and said, Eve's tits look fantastic in that dress. You're a lucky man?" I ask.
Sienna makes that hmm noise. Her forehead scrunches as she thinks.
Indigo shoots me an I'm sorry she's ridiculous look.
"Maybe… it does sound kind of bad like that," Sienna says. "But I wasn't specific. I didn't say, 'good job, Indie, your boyfriend has abs. I hope you lick them.'"
"Would you?" I ask.
She laughs. "Maybe. If we were at the beach or something. Or… you play soccer, right?"
"I do," I say.
"Aren't you a little old for that?" she asks.
My laugh is loud. Honest. "You New Yorkers are so blunt. It's charming."
"We're assholes. But it saves time, getting to the point. Life would be easier if everyone got to the point. Don't you think?" she asks.
It's a good question. Insightful.
Brutal honesty would make life easier, yes.
But it would be painful too.
And most people aren't honest enough with themselves to be honest with someone else.
I promised Indigo I'd try to be honest with her, even if it hurt. And I will. I am.
But it's not as easy as it sounds.
Sienna moves on from her philosophical inquiry. "It's Tyler Hunt, right? I'll look it up when you guys leave."