9. Playing at Love
Playing at Love
Sarah
The little girl looked up with a sleepy grin. "I had a dream that we lived in a blue house by the sea. You, me, and Evan. There were jellyfish in the backyard."
Sarah crouched down beside her. "Jellyfish, huh? Did they sting?"
Piper giggled. "Nope. They danced! Like ballerinas with spaghetti arms."
Sarahs heart squeezed. She reached out instinctively, brushing a curl from Pipers forehead with tender fingers. "That sounds magical."
Piper tilted her head, eyes suddenly serious. "Are we a real family now?"
The air caught in Sarahs throat. She blinked fast and forced her voice not to shake.
Sarah froze. Smiled softly. "Were something special. Something strong. Something real."
Piper studied her for a moment, like she was deciding if that answer was good enough.
Then she nodded, solemnly satisfied. "Okay. But I want the blue house. With a slide."
Sarah laughed gently. "Deal."
Piper leaned forward and hugged her, arms small but certain around Sarahs neck.
"Dont go away, okay?" she whispered.
"Im not going anywhere," Sarah murmured into her curls. "Not if I can help it."
Piper accepted that answer as if it were law and went back to coloring. Sarah turned toward the kitchen, fighting the lump in her throat.
Sarah stood in the kitchen, barefoot on the cold tile, watching the coffee drip into the pot.
The soft gurgle was the only sound, aside from Pipers quiet giggles from the living room where she colored.
She hadnt asked about the papers.
Or the tension. Or why Evan hadnt come back upstairs the night before.
But Sarah felt it. All of it.
She cradled the mug between her palms, trying to ground herself in the scent of roasted beans and the steady hum of early morning light. She shouldve felt proud. She hadnt run. Shed stayed for Piper.
Her mind wandered to Piper the first week she moved in.
The crying fits. The sleepless nights. The way she clung to that dinosaur with both hands like it was her only anchor.
One night, Sarah had curled on the floor beside her bed and hummed softly until the girl finally slept.
The next morning, Piper looked up at her and whispered, "Youre my brave person. "
Sarah swallowed hard at the memory.
But now, her heart was tugged in another direction, too, toward Evan. Toward the song. Toward the look in his eyes when hed sung like every note might break him.
She was losing the thread between real and pretend. And worse, she wasnt sure she wanted to find it again.
Morning.
His voice slid through her like warm honey and a warning.
Evan stood in the doorway, rumpled from sleep, hair a mess, eyes tired but focused on her.
You slept in the studio, she said.
He nodded. Didnt want to wake you.
A pause. She didnt know what to do with the gentleness in his voice.
Jonahs got the legal team moving, he added. Its going to be a fight.
Sarah nodded slowly. I figured.
He took a step closer, gesturing to the mug. Is that mine?
She handed it over. Their fingers brushed.
Ive got something planned today, he said carefully. Something for Piper. For you, too.
Sarah blinked. What is it?
His smile was a little crooked. Youll see.
The aquarium smelled like salt and wonder like seaweed and brine mixed with childhood memories and the sparkle of something magical waiting just around the corner.
Piper practically buzzed with excitement as they walked through the entrance, gripping Evans hand with one hand and Sarahs with the other. Her feet skipped in rhythm to the bubbling music piped through hidden speakers.
Sarah watched Evan out of the corner of her eye. He wasnt just trying. He was fully present, kneeling to read signs aloud to Piper, making silly fish faces, letting her climb on his back to get a better view of the seahorse tank.
You used to come here? Sarah asked as they strolled past a floor-to-ceiling tank of jellyfish.
Evan nodded. My mom used to bring me. Whenever things got bad at home, this place was peaceful.
He glanced down at Piper. Figured we could all use a little of that right now.
Sarahs heart squeezed.
The three of them settled in front of the main tank, the centerpiece of the aquarium, a curved glass wall that held a living ocean behind it. Blue light danced across their skin. Piper pressed her hands to the glass, eyes wide with awe.
She fits here, Sarah said softly. Like shes part of the scene.
She fits with us, Evan replied, just as soft.
Sarah turned her head, and he was already looking at her.
His gaze dropped to her lips. Her breath caught.
Evan
I meant it, he murmured. All of it. The song. What I said after. I see you, Sarah. Youre not just part of some PR act. Youre the only thing thats ever felt real.
Her throat tightened. But what if its all just convenient? What if youre just clinging to this because its working?
Im clinging to you, he said. Not the idea. You.
They stood there in silence, the sound of water lapping against the glass surrounding them.
He reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her breath hitched. Their faces inched closer, the space between them electrified and vanishing fast.
His hand lingered near her jaw.
Sarah leaned forward, her lips parting, then hesitating for a beat, her breath trembling between them. Her fingers brushed his, her heart pounding, torn between courage and caution
But before either of them could say more, Piper turned and shouted, LOOK! SHARK!
They both burst into laughter.
Before they left the aquarium, Evan and Piper sat side by side on a bench outside the touch pool, drying their hands on paper towels. Sarah lingered nearby, pretending to scroll her phone while watching them.
Piper leaned against Evans arm, her voice quiet. Do you love Sarah like a forever kind of love?
Evan blinked. Thats a big question, kiddo.
She frowned. Its okay if you dont know. But I think she loves you like that.
He looked out at the water. I think I do. Im just scared to get it wrong.
Piper reached for his hand. Then get it right. I like it better when you both smile at the same time.
Evan glanced up, and Sarah quickly turned away before he could see her eyes glistening.
They walked out into the bright sunshine, and Sarah held Pipers hand tighter than she needed to.
They stopped at a nearby caf for ice cream cones: lemon for Piper, espresso chip for Evan, vanilla with rainbow sprinkles for Sarah. Evan handed over napkins with a flourish, his fingers brushing hers with more intent than accident.
Youre the only person, he said, who makes me forget the cameras exist.
Sarah glanced up. Is that a good thing?
The best.
Thank you, she said to Evan.
For what?
For seeing her. For seeing me.
Evan looked at her like he wanted to say something more, but then just nodded. Anytime.
Back at the apartment, as Piper ran to her room to show off her new stuffed octopus, Sarah lingered at the door.
Evan turned. You okay?
She hesitated. Im falling for you, Evan.
He didnt move.
But I dont know if youre falling for me or falling for the family weve created. And Im scared that when this fight ends, so will we.
He stepped closer. Then dont let it end.
But the words werent a promise. Not yet.
Sarah offered a small smile, but her lips trembled at the edges. She turned and walked toward her room, each step heavier than the last, as if distance might shield her from the truth she wasnt ready to face.
She hesitated in the hallway, her fingers hovering over her phone. With a shaky breath, she called Jonah.
He answered on the second ring. "Everything okay?"
"I dont know," she whispered. "I think Im falling for him. Actually falling. And I dont know if hes really mine or if Im just filling space until this is over."
Jonah was quiet for a beat. Then, gently: "Youre not background in his story, Sarah. Youre the plot. Dont let the noise convince you otherwise."
Her throat tightened. "Thanks. I just needed someone to remind me."
"Anytime," he said.
She ended the call and stepped into her room.
Inside, she sat on the edge of the bed, heart pounding. On her nightstand was Pipers drawing, a crayon sketch of three stick figures holding hands beneath a rainbow. She ran her thumb gently over the heart drawn above their heads.
She whispered to herself, This could be home.
And then, more quietly, If he wants it too.
Behind her, Evan stood in the hallway, watching her door close. He reached out, hand brushing the frame, and whispered, Im already yours.
He didnt move to follow. He wasnt ready to push.
But tomorrow, maybe, hed make her hear it.
She didnt hear him.
But maybe she would.
Soon.