Page 25 of On My Side
I’m not ashamed of Piper. I never could be—becoming her mom is the greatest thing I’ve ever done. But that scared, ostracized teenager is still inside me, huddled in a dark corner and begging to be seen, to be protected and taken care of.
“Aud!” I don’t know if hearing Ren’s voice makes the situation better or worse.
“Mr. Q!” Celia squeals, her voice a much higher pitch than from when she was talking to me. “I thought I saw you earlier!”
“Good morning, Mrs. Davidson,” Ren says in an overly formal voice. “I didn’t realize you and Audrey knew each other,” he continues, and I force myself to look up. Celia is twirling her hair while batting her lashes at Ren. The corner of his left eye twitches.
“Audrey?” Celia asks innocently, tilting her head to the side. I internally roll my eyes because, girl, hejustsaw you talking to me. From Ren addressing her as Mrs. Davidson, I also assumeshe’s married and changed her name. Unfortunately, nothing of substance seems to have changed about her, though.
“Audrey,” Ren repeats as I glance at him. We make eye contact and I want to melt into the floor. “Didn’t realize you knew her. Can you believe she’s never had a Queenie’s Gyro Breakfast Burrito? I had to make sure she got one. Right, Aud?” He throws his arm over my shoulders and my heart skips a beat at the shortened name.
That seems to bring Celia out of whatever Ren Quinn-induced stupor she’s in. She quizzically looks between Ren and I. “Aud?” she repeats.
“I’m going to pay so you and Celia can catch up, okay?” Ren says. I open my mouth to remind him he already sent me the money on Venmo, but he silences me with a single arch of his brow.
The power this man exerts over me is concerning to feminism.
Of course, Celia has nothing more to say to me now that she has an audience, opening and closing her mouth wordlessly, like a fish you make fun of at the aquarium.
“How do you know Ren?” I ask innocently, crossing my arms over my chest. I already know she’s the wine mom he ran out of the building from, but I’d love to hear it from her.
“He… my kids. Music teacher,” she says. I like to think she’s so intimidated by me she can’t form full sentences, but if I’m being honest with myself, I think it’s the fact Ren was short with her, and gave me the attention she obviously wants from him that has her so taken aback.
Whatever, I’ll take what I can get.
“Ready to go?” Ren asks after paying for breakfast.
I nod, keeping my eyes on Celia. “Mmhmm. Good to see you, Celia.”
“You… you too,” Celia stammers, eyes following us as Ren and I move toward the door. I stare directly ahead, because I know ifI make eye contact with him, I’m doomed to dissolve into either laughter or tears.
Chapter 9
Ren
Playlist: 1996 | Wild Child
Mom
Hi, love. Do you mind stopping at Stop & Shop and grabbing some ground beef? I want to make Bolognese for dinner, which of course you’re welcome to stay for.
Ren
i’m pretty booked today, any chance kat could do it?
Mom
Kat and Steve are on a couple’s retreat in Mystic this week, and I have meetings with clients.
Ren
what time do you need it by?
Mom
I’ll be home from the office a little after five.
Ren
