Page 26 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

She nods without speaking.

I frown. What happened? She’s acting so cold all of a sudden. Did I do something wrong?

“Is everything okay?” I ask her under my breath. “Did Steven do something?”

Bella finally glances up at me. She forces a smile. “I’m fine. Perfectly fine.”

Her tone is measured and flat.

Clearly, not everything is perfectly fine.

I hesitate. She doesn’t want to talk about it, that much is obvious. But I still don’t know if she’s upset with me, upset with Steven, or just tired.

“It was quite the storm last night,” I offer. “It took me forever to get to sleep with that howling wind.”

Bella looks back to her sketchbook. “Yeah. I had a hard time sleeping as well.”

Ellen clears her throat, drawing our attention. “Bella and I have clothes shopping this afternoon, but Mike and I thought the four of us could get a nice brunch at the café. What do you say?”

“Sounds good to me,” I say.

Bella shakes her head. “I’m going to stay here. If all of you are out, I’ll take a bath and try to get some more sleep.”

That must mean she’s just tired, right?

“You want us to bring you anything back?” I ask her.

Bella forces a smile as she gets to her feet, tucking her notebook under her arm. “No, thanks. I’m good. You three have fun. Take your time. And Ellen, if you want to go shopping without me, that’s fine too. I don’t know if I want to go to the dance.”

Ellen’s expression falls, but Bella is already walking away and doesn’t see.

“I’m gonna grab a quick shower before we leave,” Mike says. He kisses Ellen lightly, and I avert my gaze.

When he’s gone, it’s just Ellen and me. The awkwardness of the situation crashes down on me abruptly.

“So, Bella tells me that you know about our… scheme,” I offer.

Ellen smirks. “We do. Thanks.”

I arch my eyebrows. “You’re welcome?”

“I mean for helping Bella get out of her head,” she clarifies. “I was worried when Steven showed up. I know she wants to just pretend like nothing happened and focus on work, but I needed her to see she could still have fun too.”

“Oh. So that’s why you brought her here.”

Ellen nods. “I wanted to make things better. She’s my best friend. I hoped she’d mourn so she could move on. Instead, she has done everything but confront her own feelings. But then you and Mike came along, and she’s started laughing again.”

I shuffle uncomfortably. “Well. I was only… er…”

“You were being yourself.” Ellen grins at me. “And that’s exactly what she needed.”

***

Brunch isn’t awkward, per se, but it’s clear that Mike and Ellen are making herculean efforts to include me. If Bella were here, it wouldn’t be so obvious.

I’m the third wheel. It’s not a great place to be. So once we’re all done eating, I slip away.

The town is vibrant and excited for the upcoming dance. I stroll the sidewalks, enjoying the clear air. Everything is still damp from the storm last night. It gives the town a fresh, clean look.

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