Moving to the side to let her in, he said, “Thank God. I’m too hungover for children today.”
Sienna pulled her luggage inside, her eyes scanning the room for signs of another woman. But there was only Zane’s typical mess—clothes on the floor, an old room service tray, and an empty bottle of red he would’ve had towind down. She released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding in, then smiled up at him. “So? Are you happy to see me?”
He reached out and pulled her in for a hug, the smell of last night’s booze radiating off him. “Of course I am.” He let go and covered his mouth. “I should go brush my teeth.”
“Sure,” she answered with a nod.
He walked through the living room and disappeared into the bedroom. A moment later, Sienna heard the distinct sound of a long morning pee, then water running and him brushing his teeth. She stood in the living room, feeling awkward as she stared out the window at the view of the old city and the park below. A young couple sat on a blanket with their baby having a picnic, the sight of it making her long for the days when it was just her, Zane, and Ivy. Life was simple back then. They could pack her up and take her anywhere, and they did. Ivy had been around the world by the time she was two. She slept well, ate well, and was easy to amuse, giving them the false belief that parenting was simple if you didn’t overcomplicate things. God, they were stupid.
When Zane returned, he was in jeans and a T-shirt. “There, now I can greet you properly.” He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss that made her glad she’d come. Relief washed over her and filled her up, as she clutched the fabric of his shirt with balled-up fists. A sob welled up from deep in her chest and forced its way out without her permission.
“You okay?” Zane asked, letting go of her hips and putting his hands on her face.
She nodded, blinking back tears and feeling stupid. Here she was supposed to be irresistible, strong, and confident. Not sobbing like a child who got lost at the market. “I’m not sure why I made that sound. Let’s try that again,” she said, leaning in and giving him a long kiss on the lips.
They made out for a few minutes, and when they stopped, Zane whispered, “I didn’t realize how much I missed you.”
“You didn’t?” she asked.
He shook his head and wrapped his arms around her lower back. “I don’t let myself feel it when I’m away. If I did, I’d never be able to go.”
“I miss you the entire time you’re gone. It’s like I’m not fully alive.” Well, sort of. There were also nice things about him being gone, like the toilet seats were always down and there were no crumbs in the butter and there was no adult to say yes to the kids when she’d already said no. But she did miss him in all the ways that count.
“How long can you stay?”
“Two nights.”
He grinned at her, and it was the grin she’d been needing to see since she booked the flight. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Me either. It was… an impulse thing. I just… needed to be with you.” She slid her hands down his chest to the bottom of his shirt, then tugged it over his head in one quick movement.
“Mrs. McCreight, are you trying to get me into bed?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Of course not. Why on earth would you say such a thing?” she answered while unbuttoning his jeans.
“I have no idea.”
Sienna reached up and flicked the straps of her dress off her shoulders, letting the silk fabric slide down her body while his eyes devoured her. She stepped out of it andstarted for the bedroom in her heels and lacy bra and panties.
Zane followed close behind her, his voice filled with excitement. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
CLAUDIA
The blood drained from Claudia’s face when she saw Sienna in the hotel lobby. It was almost time to leave for the venue—some fancy old villa on a large parcel of land where they’d perform under the stars. She was returning from a stroll around the park, having left to give Mike some alone time.
Things had been rocky since Brazil. Mike said he was over it, but she could tell it was a lie. He watched her closely now whenever they were with the band, and more than once, she caught him glaring at Zane.
It was all so complicated and awful. If she could go back in time, she would’ve said no to Mike’s first pass at her. It happened about a month after her audition. They’d been at a meeting at the record label, and Mike had paid special attention to her, quietly explaining everything that was happening. Much of what he told her was obvious, but she appreciated the effort when he could’ve easily ignored her. They’d all gone out for a lavish four-course dinner with the management team, hosted by Larry White.
Mike sat next to her, making comments under his breath that kept her laughing through what would have otherwise been an awkward, dull evening. When it was over, he offered to share a town car home with her. The ride was close to anhour, during which they really talked for the first time. He asked about her family (only child, two parents that were still living in her childhood home), and he told her about his (one younger brother who’d died in a single vehicle car accident along with his alcoholic mother, and a father who didn’t give a shit). He told her Kitty had once suggested he go see a therapist, but he didn’t see the point in dragging up all that old pain when he could outrun it instead.
He’d never had a long-term girlfriend, never told a woman he loved her, and never, ever wanted to get married or have a family. Mike said she was gorgeous (which was something no one had told her before and felt amazing). He said if she wasn’t a permanent part of the band, he’d definitely be trying to get into her pants. His honesty was as refreshing as his flattering words and the look in his hazel eyes when he stared at her. It made her want him. He wasn’t Zane, but Zane was a fantasy, and Mike was real. He was exciting and powerful and thoughtful and sweet in a way that had completely taken her by surprise. And he wanted her, which was something that hadn’t happened to Claudia in a very long time. She leaned her face to his, and said, “What a shame because I’d have said yes.”
And just then, they pulled up in front of her apartment, and neither of them did anything about their feelings until the New Year’s Eve party a few weeks later. The first few months were thrilling and terrifying. She knew if she couldn’t make it work, her days with The Vows were over. She’d be back to breathing in dry cleaning chemicals for the rest of her life. So she had spent the last two years in a state of hyper-vigilance, always aware of Mike’s every mood, expression, and tone. Going through cycles of placating him, then keeping him at a distance to keep him interested. Shedid her best to be comforting and loving while also trying to be as mysterious as a girl like her could be. She devoured articles inCosmoabout ‘how to please your man’ and bought expensive lingerie ranging from lacy and beautiful to kinky. He liked the kinky stuff best. She put up with his bad moods, gave him space, and mothered him when he had a cold, starting right at the first sniffle. Claudia didn’t hover, didn’t horn in on ‘guys nights’ and never, ever tried to control him. She was the perfect girlfriend who didn’t even allow herself to hope to become the perfect wife. What they had was enough for her, because it meant she was living her dream. Most women never got to do what she was doing. Most of them had mediocre jobs and even more mediocre men. Not incredibly talented ones who could buy you anything and take you anywhere. But over the last few months, things had gotten worse, and she found herself wondering if anything was worth the roller coaster her life had become.
And now, here was Sienna, whose eyes narrowed ever so slightly when she saw Claudia. Dread flooded Claudia’s veins, but then Sienna offered her an open-mouthed smile and held her arms open. “There she is!”
Claudia smiled back, hoping that she didn’t look scared. Zane, who stood next to his wife, shifted uncomfortably as Claudia walked up to them.
