“Too much information.”
“On his kitchen counter. Against the elevator doors. And then, with all the sex and all the booze, you’d think we’d be tired this morning. Nope. We did it in his shower, too.”
“Is that possible? I thought guys took forever to get it up again.”
“Not him. He’s got the penis of a racehorse. And I am so fucking exhausted.” Her eyes shifted over my shoulder, and she straightened up. A transformation came over her. It was like the bags under her eyes diminished. She pulled out a lip gloss and fluffed her hair back.
I narrowed my eyes. “Your scarf is sideways.”
With one quick tug, it jerked back in place, and Sia smiled as she watched someone coming to our table. I had a sinking feeling I knew who it was. This was confirmed when she gushed, “Jake! How are you feeling?”
He sat beside her and dipped his head rather than answering. They kissed. No, they weren’t kissing. They were devouring each other. They were trying to say hello with their tongues in the literal sense. Jake tried to pull away, but then their mouths opened wider over each other.
I averted my eyes. A moan started. I cringed. He groaned. I bit the inside of my lip. This was a tad bit awkward, just a bit. I shifted on my seat, feeling a tightness in my chest. It was growing. Nope. Don’t say anything. Let them be. It’ll be over real soon…maybe now…no, not yet. Okay, now. Nope.
“Okay.” I planted both my hands on the table, fingers spread out. I leaned forward with a forced smile on my face. “That’s lovely, you know.” They broke apart, shooting me guilty grins. I rested against the back of the booth and waved a finger at them. “The two of you. My neighbor.” My finger moved to Sia. “My best friend. All kissing and giving me way too many details about your sex-fest night.”
Jake frowned and glanced sideways to Sia.
She pressed her lips together, shooting me a look.
I ignored both reactions. “Enough with the kissing in front of my face.” I held up my hand. I’d put my wedding ring back on after I showered. It was a last-minute decision, and it felt right. I felt comforted. “Remember.” I wiggled my finger. “I lost the love of my life a year ago. I’m happy for you both, but please, stop. Just…stop.”
Time seemed to stand still for a moment as they stared at me, and I realized what I’d done: officially thrown a tantrum, right here in Gianni’s Restaurant.
My hand covered my face. Where had that come from? “I’m so sorry, Sia.” I shot Jake a pleading look. “I’m sorry, Jake. I’m not normally like this.”
He perked up. “You mean Sia makes out in front of you all the time?”
She whacked his arm. “I do not.” She gave me a meaningful look. “I do not. Tell him that.”
“No.” I shook my head. “She doesn’t, not normally, but I have no excuse for having a fit.”
Jake frowned before a slight smile showed. “Pretty sure we were making the scene, not you, Addison. You have no reason to apologize.”
“Maybe not, but I’m still embarrassed.”
“No, really. I’m sorry.” Sia laid a hand on my arm. “And I know we were going to have our own lunch. I meant to explain earlier that Jake was coming too, but I was beyond busy this morning, and well, you know how rude I was when I first got here.”
Jake gave her a look.
She waved him off with her free hand. “I was annoyed we didn’t have coffee, like it was Addison’s job to read my mind and have it ready. I was a bitch. I’m apologizing right now.” She squeezed my arm once before pulling away, and tucked her hand in her lap. “Being beyond exhausted, hung over, and sore in places I never knew I even had isn’t putting me at my most gracious.”
I snorted.
Her eyes went to mine. “Having said that, I want to apologize again and also say you have no need to apologize. I should’ve been more sensitive. Way, way, way more sensitive. I’m a huge asshole. The hugest! And selfish. I am beyond selfish right now.”
Okay. She was going to start flogging herself. She apologized. Jake apologized. I apologized. I considered the whole sorry-fest over. Picking up my water, I brandished a smile. “Can we toast to that?”
Sia reached for her water, but Jake beat her there. They gave each other another adoring smiles and raised the glass together. It was almost sickening; that was how cute it was.
I was having a hard time not smiling. I liked this stage in Sia’s relationships. Despite the initial irritation today, she was kinder and softer. I already knew what I’d be hearing once Jake left: she was in love. She had the best night, ever. He was The One.
She’d downplayed him the night before, calling him her perfect booty-call soulmate, but things were clearly already past that, and as I watched them gaze into each other’s eyes, I had to admit that this seemed like more. When Sia proclaimed her love, I might believe it this time. And good for her. I meant that. Truly.
Sia and Jake laughed and talked with each other, and I had a feeling there would be no space for me to interject about meeting Cole. And that felt fine. I wasn’t ready to say anything about it, not yet.
A waiter brought water for Jake and refills for the rest of us. Sia got her coffee, hallelujah! The food came soon after we ordered. It was a light lunch, but the salad filled me up. Sia and Jake ordered sandwiches and devoured them, probably starving from their cardiovascular activities the previous night. Not long after we finished, Jake slid out of the booth to head back to work. Sia went with him to say goodbye. They walked out holding hands.