Plain Jane

Italian Food and Accidents

I woke up to a heavy arm draped across my chest, and a warm cocoon of blankets wrapped around me. The smell of a certain fading cologne was surrounding me and I inhaled deeply. Ryan stirred in his sleep and I moved his arm so that I could face him, taking in all his beautiful features.

"Why are you awake? I was so happy." He muttered into my hair.

"I could barely breathe with your meaty arm resting on my chest you oaf." I giggled, rolling out of bed and walking towards the bathroom. My hair was a rat's nest on top of my head, red pieces sticking up everywhere out of my bun.

"You look the most beautiful in the morning, my dear." Ryan teased as he appeared behind me.

"Liar." I stuck my tongue out at him, swatting at his hands that were roaming dangerously low. A quick glance at my nails brought a horrified look to my face. I sure have been distracted lately, if my nails weren't painted perfectly I know I haven't been paying much attention, not to my nails or anyone else besides Ryan.

Darren! When's the last time you talked to him Jane? I was such a horrible friend, I couldn't even send him a text it felt like forever since I'd seen him.

"I need to go, I'll see you soon okay?" I stood on my tiptoes kissing his cheek, walking back towards his room to pick up my clothes that I had discarded last night right before falling asleep.

"Where are you going?" A frown appeared on his face as he followed me.

"I haven't talked to or seen Darren in a while, I'm such a horrible friend. My nails are a mess, I feel dirty. I'm just a mess right now, I need to go home." I explained, pulling my shirt over my head.

"You don't want to stay with me?" He said against my neck. I shivered and ducked my head away.

'Of course I do Ryan, but I can't just live in a little bubble with you forever." I walked further away from him because he was starting to distract me.

"Why? I would like that." He pouted as he got closer again.

'You would, wouldn't you?" I smiled at him. "I've got to go, I'll call you or something."

.....

"Look the Red Witch decides to show up." Darren says sarcastically as I walk in the front door.

"D don't be mad at me okay?" I plead as I set my bag down

"Oh no I'm not mad at you, I'm furious you witch." He spits out. I've never seen him this mad.

"I'm sorry, okay! So much has been going on with Ryan-" I start but he holds up a hand to stop me.

"With Ryan eh? What about Cayden who shows up at my door every single day asking about you?" He snaps. "Or the fact that I got a surrogate? Did you even bother to ask about that? No. Because everything is about you, you selfish bitch."

I was taken aback by his words. I know I had forgotten to talk to him, but I didn't know he was going to be this angry.

"You got a surrogate?" I asked weakly.

"Yes, I want the baby regardless if I have a husband or not." He says softly, the smallest smile appearing on his face.

"That's so good Darren! I'm so happy for you!" I say, walking towards him to give him a hug but he steps back, dodging my arms.

"No, don't." He says. "Just go shower or something, you look a mess." The old teasing Darren was back in his voice for a few seconds.

"Yeah, seriously." I chuckle, walking back towards my room. The room I hadn't been in, in what seems like forever. I grabbed my towel and made my way to the bathroom, jumping in the shower and letting the hot water rush over me in powerful blasts.

.....

When I got out of the shower I let my hair dry in its own natural waves and put on a pair of skinny jeans and a white tank top and tan knit cardigan. I slipped on some black flats and put on some mascara and red lipstick, then wrapped a headband around my head, letting my hair stay loose but out of my face.

"You ready?" I asked Darren, walking out of the bathroom. He looked up from his place on the couch and I noticed for the first time the bags under his eyes.

"Ready for what?"

"I'm taking you out to dinner. No where fancy, just our favorite Italian place." I smiled.

"Rizzolo's?" He smiled slightly and I nodded. "Don't think this makes up for anything."

"I know, I wouldn't dare think such a thought." I faked mock hurt and he smiled again, getting up to put his jacket on.

.....

Rizzolo's was packed, but we immediately got a booth because the manager loves us, we were one of the first customers when no one else was here we would stay after hours and help clean up because they were short of staff.

"Tell me everything." I said as we sat down.

So he did. He told me about how he went and met with the surrogate family and they were extremely nice, and very aware he would be a single father. He told me about how he was excited to go baby shopping and how he was always annoyed with Cayden showing up at the door. He finished off his stories as we were halfway through our food and finally he stopped and stared at me.

"Now you can tell me about you." He laughed and I sighed in relief. We were okay.

"Well, be prepared." I laughed and he leaned in as if I was saying confidential information.

I told him about the Aston drama and everything about Ryan confessing to me and how I confessed to him, and ended with this morning when I woke up to him.

"It seems like you two are a couple to me, all this drama and you're not even official?" He laughed.

"Right! But I don't know he's just so confusing, and then the whole Aston thing added fuel to the fire when I tried to explain how I loved him and everything, basically."

"Wow, you have been going through a lot. I knew that instantly when you walked through the door because of your nails."

"Don't even remind me, I almost threw up when I saw them this morning but they're doing good now, and so am I. I think." I giggled and we finished up our dinner making our way out the door.

We walked up the street, talking and laughing but soon our voices were drowned out by sirens wailing and the sound of loud women's screaming.

"Move! He's been hit by a car!" Some paramedic screamed. Darren and I glanced at each other before rushing to the scene, we got a quick glimpse of a body being carried into the ambulance.

And then a quick glimpse of a face, the man's face.

Cayden.