Almost Broken by Portia Moore Page B

it to not fall into a full-blown frown.
    We’re complete opposites, she has platinum blonde hair falling neatly to her shoulders and piercing blue eyes. Her eye lashes are long and her eyebrows are the same color as her hair so she’s definitely a real blonde. She has on a taupe cashmere sweater with an elaborate a gold pin. When my eyes land on her hand there it is, the engagement ring. I don’t know if she notices where my eyes land, but I swear her lips curve into a smile and the chill that was on her disappears as she stands up.
    “Can I hold her?” she says sweetness dripping from her voice. My eyes dart to Chris who seems a little surprised. My immediate response is “hell no” but thank God my filter is working. Unfortunately, I’m frozen. My mouth won’t open, and my limbs won’t move.
    “Is that okay, Lauren?” Chris asks, clearing his throat. I finally manage to walk over to Chris and hand Caylen to him. He sits her on his lap, she immediately starts reaching for the cookies in the middle of the table. Chris looks at Caylen adoringly.
    “She’s definitely yours,” Jenna says with a chuckle and I let out a very dry laugh. Is that supposed to be a joke?
    “Hi, there. I’m Jenna” she says, leaning forward as she watches Caylen eat her cookie. I want to throw up.
    “She’s beautiful, Chris,” she says, touching one of her pigtails, and I wonder how long I should stand here before she acknowledges I’m in the room.
    “Lauren, you always dress her so adorably,” Mrs. Scott says, and I try to force a smile but none comes. “Don’t you think, Jenna?” she says, obviously attempting to give Jenna a hint.
    “It’s very pretty,” she says flatly, keeping her eyes on Chris and Caylen, and I feel my cheeks start to burn. She’s doing this on purpose, not acknowledging me. The same way Mr. Scott did. Caylen’s a packaged deal with Chris that I’m not included in.
    “You know Katie was saying our wedding colors should be yellow and white, but I thought it was too simple. I’m thinking of something more chic like taupe.” She glances up at me. Chris’s face flushes, and I feel my throat starting to burn.
    “I think yellow is a beautiful color,” Mrs. Scott says, I try to ignore the mounting pressure in my head.
    “We took Caylen to the zoo last time they were here. She loves animals just like I do,” Chris interrupts, trying to ease the tension in the room.
    “Would a one year-old even know what’s going on at the zoo?” she asks in a playful tone, but it comes off condescending to me. Is she really trying to offend me?
    “I think we all had a nice time,” I say. I don’t realize the edge in my voice until their heads jerk in my direction. Chris looks nervous, Mrs. Scott smiles at me warmly, while Jenna gives me a mirthless grin.
    “I didn’t mean anything by it,” she says innocently, but her tone is far from apologetic.
    “Jenna’s not really a kid person.” Chris chuckles nervously, and she gives him an offended look.
    “What does that mean?” she asks sharply.
    “I just meant you’re not really around kids much.” He throws up his hands in defense.
    “Just because I don’t want to have a thousand of them doesn’t mean kids don’t like me,” she says, rolling her eyes at him, and at that moment it’s solidified; I don’t like Jenna. Her attitude makes me feel a whole better about the fact that I want my husband; her fiancé.
    “I’m sure Caylen and I will get along just fine,” she says, reaching for Caylen, who goes to her pretty easily I hate to say.
    “See,” she retorts to Chris, and her eyes dart to mine as if she knew about the secret bet I placed on Caylen not going to her.
    “So, Lauren, you’re from Chicago?” she asks, finally acknowledging my presence in the room.
    “Yeah.” I decide not to correct that I’m really from Michigan.
    “She grew up in Saginaw,” Chris adds, and she doesn’t look pleased that he added the information.
    “It’s