Sienna wanted the floor to open up and a monster to take her by the ankles and drag her under. She closed her eyes rather than risk meeting Jack’s. “Kelse?”
“What?”
“Go.”
Silence.
“Now,” Sienna sighed.
“I haven’t finished.”
Sienna popped her eyes open. “Yes, you have.”
“Look,” Jack intervened, “there’s nothing for either you or Mike to worry about at the moment. Of course, that might well change in the not too distant future. Just tell him possibilities, nothing more.”
Kelsey flashed Jack an encouraging smile. “Mike’s a pain in the ass most of the time, but even I can’t argue how skilled a lawyer he is. He’ll look after you if the time comes.”
“I’m still hoping it doesn’t come to that.”
His gaze then locked with Sienna’s, his eyes softening as they lingered over her face. In spite of herself, Sienna had the urge to slide onto his lap and kiss his neck to make him smile in the way she’d come to love. But she wouldn’t do anything so careless…not now. There was far too much at stake. Like her heart, for a start.
She cleared her throat. “Leave it to us, Kelse. Everything will work out.”
Kelsey raised her hands. “He’s all yours. Look after him.” She left the shop, the door closing behind her.
The abrupt silence was disconcerting, and Sienna debated whether to get up and resume her work or slide her hand across the rigid expanse of Jack’s neck and kiss away their worries.
“Jack?”
Nothing.
Drawing strength from the endless reserves she’d accrued since her dad’s passing, Sienna pressed on. “Talk to me, Jack.”
His dark blue gaze locked on hers. He opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again without saying anything. Shoving his fingers into his hair, he held them there. Sensing he wanted to be alone right then, Sienna resisted going to him and wrapping her arms around him. “What is it you hope is going to happen tomorrow?”
“I want her to see we live in a nice place,” he began, “with nice people. But I won’t forget she gave up on Holly and Katy. Everything has to work out the way I want it because over my dead body can she just come back and call the shots.”
Frustration tip-tapped up Sienna’s spine, making her want to cry for him, for her. She didn’t know what it meant to have children, to have been married, but his emotions were clearly all over the place, and the torture in his eyes was undeniable.
Jack dropped his hands from his hair and sighed. “I haven’t wanted to see her for these past two years. Moved away so she couldn’t find the girls. So what kind of man does that make me? She’s their mother, for crying out loud.”
“But she hasn’t been a mother to them,” Sienna consoled him. “Not in the sense of the word that means anything. And if she wants to try now, you have options, and you have support. Look, I’m a stronger person than you’re giving me credit for.”
Jack stood, and the unexpected tenderness in his gaze took her breath away. Unable to even breathe, much less move, she allowed him to take her hands and pull her to her feet. Tugging her close, he stared deeply into her eyes. So deep, Sienna was rocked from her trance-like state as he kissed her, taking another piece of her heart. London suddenly felt so far away.
Chapter Eighteen
SIENNA GLANCED AT HER WATCH for the fortieth time in the last hour as she stood at Jack’s living room window. The familiar sounds of coffee percolating and crockery being taken from cupboards filtered through from where Jack worked in the kitchen. Martina was due to arrive any minute.
Her stomach lurched with trepidation. She and Jack had barely exchanged a word for the last hour as they waited for his ex-wife’s arrival. What would Martina be like? Would she behave as Jack had described? Would she maintain this new persona of sweetness and light—or upon sight of another woman turn defensive? Ever since Sienna’s father had been killed, she’d had an uncanny knack for worrying about things before they happened, silently hiding her fears behind the usual optimism and enthusiasm.
Neither of those traits filtered through her mind or heart right then.
Sienna had never been more aware that, once upon a time, Martina had been Jack’s wife and the twins’ mother. They’d been a family. She couldn’t afford to lose sight of that. And though she’d been so swept up in the moment, it hadn’t been lost on her that Jack’s kiss the day before hadn’t sealed the deal that he wanted Sienna as a permanent fixture in his life. It could have been as much out of gratitude—or pity—as passion.
She drew her folded arms tighter around her body, then froze as a black taxi pulled to a stop in front of the house.
“Oh, God. Here goes.”
She fled the room and hurried along the hallway to where Jack stood staring out the kitchen window into his back yard. Sienna coughed. “She’s here.”
When he spun around, his gaze bore into hers. But rather than wrap her arms around him and tell him everything would be all right, Sienna knew he had to take the lead; he had to do what was best for his family.
The doorbell rang and kicked them from the silent stupor. Jack came toward her and squeezed her hand. “Let’s do this.”
He marched past her, and Sienna turned to look after him. Do what, exactly? I haven’t a damn clue what I’m even doing here. Nonetheless, she pulled back her shoulders and followed him along the hallway. Exchanging a final glance, they faced the door just as Martina pressed the bell a second time.
Jack opened the door. “Martina, you made it.”
Sienna stood stock-still as Martina leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Jack’s cheek. “I did. The drive through this little town showed me why you chose to bring the girls here. It’s quite lovely.”
Before he could answer, she turned her attention to Sienna. With her heart beating hard and fast in her ears, Sienna moved forward to greet the woman who had no idea she held Sienna’s immediate future in the palm of her hand. Their eyes met, and Sienna internally shivered. A wide smile spread across Martina’s face, but her eyes were like two dull pieces of gray stone.
Sienna offered her hand first. “Hi, I’m Sienna. Jack’s new neighbor.”
After another moment’s appraisal of her entire face, Martina clasped Sienna’s hand. “And girlfriend, so Jack tells me. Sienna. Such an unusual and lovely name. I’m happy to meet you.”
Sienna continued to smile as she eased her hand from Martina’s clutch. Jack broke the heavy silence. “Okay, well, why don’t we go through to the kitchen? Have some coffee?”
Martina stepped over the threshold. “Sounds good to me.” She walked inside Jack’s home without a second glance, her high-heeled sandals tapping along the hallway toward the kitchen.
Sienna looked at Jack and released her held breath. “She’s pretty,” she said.
“Pretty what? Unpredictable? Untrustworthy?” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You did great. This will soon be over.”
As he followed Martina into the kitchen, Sienna tipped her head back. With short, dark-blond hair, pixie features, and slender figure, Martina didn’t come close to the femme-fatale image Sienna had conjured up in her mind. The twins had taken Jack’s dark hair and blue eyes, but she could see their picture-perfect features were entirely Martina. Drawing in a strengthening breath, Sienna walked into the kitchen, hoping for one single second everything wouldn’t scream at her to get the hell out of there.
To get the hell out and let this family have a second chance.
“Why don’t we all take a seat, and I’ll pour the coffee?”
Jack’s voice had cut through her thoughts, and Sienna blinked before slapping on a smile so forced it hurt her cheeks. “Good idea. Martina?” Sienna gestured toward the table.
Martina smiled and slid into one of the chairs around Jack’s kitchen table. She placed her bag on the floor beside her and her elbows on the table, casually lacing her fingers together. “So what is it you
do, Sienna?”
Oh, God. Sienna looked to Jack as she sat down. “I, um…I run a shop in town.”
Jack’s gaze changed from apprehension to cool resolve. The coffee pot rattled as he thumped it down on the table. He took a step back, choosing to remain standing, leaning against the counter.
“A shop?” Martina smiled. “How lovely. What sort of shop?”
Jack cleared his throat. “You know, don’t you. You already know what Sienna does for a living.”
Sienna looked from him to Martina.
The woman’s eyes shone with triumph, her cheeks flushed with…excitement? Embarrassment? Sienna didn’t know the woman well enough to hazard a guess—but from what Jack had told her, she’d say the former.
Martina laughed. “Oh, Jack. You know me so well. When you told me you had a girlfriend and she lived next door, what else was I supposed to do but a little digging? I didn’t mean anything by it.” She looked at Sienna. “You understand, don’t you? From one woman to another. From one mother to another…oh, but sorry, you don’t have any kids, do you?”
Sienna’s chest burned as her survival mechanism clicked into place. All thoughts of doing the right thing and keeping up appearances for Jack during this meeting were obliterated by her core belief in self-respect. If this woman thought she was going to play with her, she could think again.
Smiling, Sienna replied, “No, I don’t. But I understand perfectly. Of course you want to know who I am. After all, I’ve been spending time with Holly and Katy. I’m sure their welfare is at the forefront of your mind right now.”
Martina’s smile broadened. “Absolutely. And that’s why when I found out that your little shop will be moving next door, I was even more excited to meet you.”
“And why’s that? Does it bother you?”
“Not at all. It might well bother a judge, though.”
Sienna opened her mouth to respond, but Jack got there first.
“I knew it.” He splayed his hands on his hips. “What exactly is it you’ve got in mind to do now you’re here?”
Martina looked at Sienna. “I only—”
Jack moved forward and slapped his hands on the table, making Sienna flinch. “Talk to me. Not Sienna.”
Martina rolled her eyes and pinned him with a hardened glare. “What I’ve got in mind is coming to see you. That’s it. I want to talk to you and work out the best way for us to do this.”
“Do what? A damn custody battle?”
“Of course not.” She laughed. “Does this have to be a battle? It’s you who seems to want that, Jack. Not me.”
Sienna touched his hand. “Jack, maybe—”
He snatched his hand away as though her skin burned. “What do you want, Martina?” he demanded. “I’m trying to build a life for our daughters. Once I’m convinced you deserve to see the girls, I’ll tell you. Until then, at least respect their right for a happy, secure future.”
She stared at him, her eyes wide. “You’ve absolutely no idea how hard I’ve worked to stay sober. And you can’t keep me away from them, so you might as well come up with a better plan than running away from the fact I’m here and their mother whether you like it or not.”
Martina’s tone struck a nerve in Sienna, and she sent up silent prayer of gratitude for Kelsey’s insistence that Mike be aware of Jack’s possible situation before it began. Every hair on her body stood to attention. Martina was going to come after Jack and the girls, one way or another. Sienna moved forward and pressed her hands on the table.
“This has nothing to do with me, but both of you need to think about Holly and Katy…regardless of what you’d like to see happen from here. They’re the ones that matter.”
Martina whipped her head around. “You’re right. This has nothing to do with you.” She turned and faced Jack once more. “I came here to be civil. If you can’t do the same, then the next time we speak, it will have to be through our lawyers.”
Jack pushed the hair back from his face, and Sienna saw that his hand trembled. “I’ve got representation whenever you’re ready.”
The tense atmosphere hitched up a notch, and Sienna wished for some invisible force to come in and airlift her out of there. The sooner Thursday and London came, the better. Her shoulders and neck ached; her hands itched to claw Martina’s hair out. Instead, she merely pressed her lips tightly together. The ball was in Jack’s court, not hers. He had to decide what happened next.
For a long moment, Martina said nothing, until her eyes glazed over with tears. “This is ridiculous. I don’t think either of us wants that. I’m not here to kick up a fuss about a few bits of lingerie next door.” She dabbed a fingertip to the corner of her eye. “Despite what you might think, Jack, as long as my girls and you are happy, so am I.”
Not wanting to lower her defenses just yet, Sienna eased back into her chair. “Well, that’s good. Jack’s been worried—”
“About the fact you haven’t changed.” Jack’s gaze focused entirely on Martina. His arms crossed. “And I’m still not convinced I’m wrong.”
“You are wrong.” Martina stared at him. “Wrong to even think I would start throwing my weight around as soon as I see you for the first time in a year. As long as the shop isn’t a problem for the twins, then I’m fine with it.”
For want of something to do, Sienna picked up the coffee pot. Filling their cups in turn, she, Jack, and Martina each added milk or sugar as the silence closed in on them.
After a moment, Jack pulled out a chair and sat. “You’ll have to give me more than that to convince me you mean it.”
Martina shook her head. “To cause trouble is the last thing I want. I want you—all of us, to be okay with me being here. I’ve made mistakes, but I want a fresh start, a new chance to make things right.” She looked into his eyes. “To make you happy.”
Sienna gripped her cup. The woman hadn’t referred to the twins in her need to make things right. Shouldn’t the twins be all she spoke about? Sienna noticed Jack curl his hand into a fist on his knee.
Martina slowly returned her coffee cup to the table. “Why don’t I answer your question and tell you what I want, and then we can discuss what we’re going to do so we’re all happy?”
Sienna slowly counted to ten in her head. This conversation was for Jack to navigate. She had no idea why she was there. Did he want her as a witness? Protection? If Martina lashed out or used something against him in court? Doubt that she was anything more than a pawn in a custody battle tasted sour on her tongue.
Martina stood and walked to the window. Sienna glanced at Jack. His jaw was set, and his study focused on Martina’s back.
“I’ve messed up, but I’m back and know exactly what I want: what I had.”
“It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?”
“I want back into the girls’ lives, Jack. I want joint custody.” She turned and leaned up against the counter. “But I don’t want to have to fight for that right.”
“That’s a long way down the line as far as I’m concerned.”
She glanced at Sienna before turning to Jack. “I’ve contacted my lawyer. He says I’ve got every right to make an appeal for joint custody whenever I’m ready. I’m sober, and I’m ready to see my children. You might as well know, I’ve told him to go ahead and make the request.”
“I need more time before I can even think about you seeing them. I’m sorry.”
“How much longer?” She gripped the counter. “What am I supposed to do to prove I’m recovered unless you let me spend time with you?”
The room fell into silence. Time with you. Sienna looked from Martina to Jack and back again. Their bodies were held in stiff defense. She shouldn’t be there. Sienna drained her cup and stood. “Look, I think I should go. This is something you two need to sort out for yourselves.”
“Stay.” Jack touched her hand.
Sienna shook her head. “No. As I believe we established before, this has nothing to do with me.”
She squeezed his fingers before pulling her hand away and leaving the kitchen. She was barely halfway along the hallway when the telltale clicking of Martina’s shoes sounded behind her. Praying for the strength to bite her tongue, Sienna turned.
Martina smiled. “I wanted to walk you out. I don’t want any bad feelings between us, Sienna. I appreciate this can’t be easy for you.”
“There’s no need. I’m absolutely—”
“Of course there’s a need. Here.” She opened the door. “Let’s go outside. I think Jack needs a moment alone.”
They stepped outside into the warm mid-summer sun and walked toward Jack’s open gate. When they reached it, Sienna saw Martina visibly shook. God, was she crying?
“Hey, are you—” Sienna touched her elbow, and Martina flinched as though she’d struck her. Sienna held up her hands. “Sorry. Look, are you okay? Why don’t you go back inside with—?” Her voice dropped off when she noticed the woman wasn’t crying but—laughing.
Martina faced Sienna straight on with a grin, her shoulders still dancing with contained laughter. “No, I’m sorry. It’s only that…well, I can’t believe you’re setting up a sex shop in your home. Are you mad?”
Sienna smiled back, though it felt strange at her lips. “Not mad. Determined.”
“Determined?”
“I love what I do. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I’ve had to leave my shop in town and move the business home. But it’s no big deal.”
“No big deal…I’d say it’s a huge deal.” She glanced toward Jack’s house. “Especially for someone with as much ambition as you seem to have.”
Sienna stared; she didn’t care for the derisive tone in Martina’s voice. “My ambition won’t stop if—when I move my shop to Marsden Place. I don’t understand what you’re—”
“Won’t it stop for Jack, though?”
Sienna swallowed. Jack? What did Jack have to do with her ambition? “What do you mean?”
Martina shrugged. “Jack’s the kind of guy who likes a woman to be at home looking after his babies. Surely he told you that? I’m just wondering if you’re happy knowing you’d have to give up what you’ve worked so hard for if you and he…you know, had a future.”
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