Page 40 of Is It Casual Now?

“I think Harley is getting more than a little tired,” Tori said.

“Oh.” Siena pulled her eyes away from the crowd of children pointing out all the similarities between the twins and asking questions Siena couldn’t hear from the distance.

“It’s okay.” Tori smiled when Siena’s eyes met hers.

“Where is she? I should have taken her home already.”

“Nope.” Tori shook her head. “I’m going to take her home. You need to stay a bit longer to help clean up.”

“Oh. But don’t you need to be here until the end, Ms. PTA-going-all-out-as-parent-of-the-year?”

“Nah.” Tori shook her head and gave a small laugh. “That’s what delegating is all about.”

“Since when?” Siena asked, a smile creeping over her lips.

“Since I have someone waiting at home for me.”

“Ah.” Siena looked at Tori a little closer.

“You okay?”

“I’m happy for you, Tori. I really am. You finally got your happily-ever-after.” Siena wrapped her arms around her ex-wife.

“And maybe you could get yours someday soon, too.” Tori pulled back and gave Siena a wink.

With a laugh, Siena shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Just do something for me, okay?” Tori used the tone Siena had never been able to say no to. “Don’t dismiss the possibility.”

“Okay.” Siena had no other words. She could face down angry and arrogant musicians, parents and partners demanding her clients’ details or royalties, event or record managers who tried to renege on contract deals. But all it took was for Tori to ask her a favor, and Siena would do anything for the mother of her child.

“Good. Now I’ve put you and Jamie down as the cleanup crew. I’m sure that won’t be a hardship for either of you.”

Before Siena could respond, Tori skipped away. Siena watched her approach, the cutest little eighties punk rocker Siena had ever seen. It had brought her near tears when Harley had excitedly explained that she wanted to be one of Siena’s rock stars.

“Your ex is a sweetheart.” Jamie had wandered toward Siena while she was entranced watching her daughter animatedly talking with Tori, wriggling out of Tori’s arms and walking beside her like a big girl.

“Mommy!” Harley squealed and raced toward Siena before she could respond to Jamie’s comment.

“Hey, my little rock star.” Siena scooped Harley up in a hug before putting her back down onto her feet. She crouched down to Harley’s height as they spoke. “I hear you’re getting an extra night at mama’s tonight.”

“Yep.”

“You’re okay with that?”

“Yeah. Mama said I’ll get to spend some time with Rebel in the morning. And you’ve got lots of extra stuff with work, so this is better.”

“Did she now?” Siena looked over Harley’s head and caught Tori’s eyes.

Tori smiled and shrugged, innocence personified.

“All right, Batman.”

“No, I’m a rock star!”

“Of course. All right, rock star. Have a good night. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” Harley wrapped her arms around Sienna’s neck and squeezed.

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