This story is part of my Pandora's Box series. Although I believe each story can be read as a standalone, a full list of the entries and the chronological order to read them in can be found in my bio.
Comments and feedback are welcome as always!
An Awkward Chat
Dani groaned as the doorbell rang, rolling over in bed and rubbing her eyes. She had been half-awake for about ten minutes now, but the loud clang had now successful destroyed any chance to fall fully asleep again.
"Babe? You awake?" Jake's muffled voice came through the en-suite door.
"Yeah," Dani called back blearily, propping herself up on one elbow.
"Can you get that?"
"Who is it?"
"I dunno. Ava isn't due with Lucas for another half an hour or so."
"Ugh." Dani forced herself out of bed. She was naked, and she pulled on some white designer joggers and a loose blue crop top before tottering out of Jake's room, through the living room, and to the front door. The doorbell rang again as she grasped the handle, and Dani winced at the noise.
"Dani!" Five-year-old Lucas beamed widely as Dani opened the door, rushing through and hugging her around the waist.
"Hey handsome," Dani smiled, tousling his blond hair as she returned the hug. "How've you been?"
"Look what I have!" Lucas held up a plastic dinosaur toy, grinning from ear-to-ear.
"Wow! What's that one called?"
"It's a Spinosaurus," Lucas said proudly, turning it over in his hands.
With all her attention focused on the excitable boy, Dani was caught off-guard by the sound of someone clearing their throat in the doorway. She glanced up and was greeted by the sight of Ava, Lucas' mom and Jake's ex. His baby mama.
Ava had a round, pretty face and long, glossy raven black hair. Serious brown eyes pierced into Dani. She was dressed strikingly in black, knee-high boots, black skinny jeans, and a red crop top behind a leather jacket. Ava appeared in decent shape, yet Dani couldn't help but focus on the tell-tale signs that she had previously been pregnant, evident on her exposed midriff: slightly loose skin surrounded a popped-out belly button, with faded stretch marks and scars wrapped around it. Dani was suddenly self-conscious of the obvious contrast with her smooth, perfectly pristine abs, her own skin tight and unblemished by the trials of pregnancy.
"Is Jake here?" Ava asked in a breathy voice, a hint of irritation clear behind the words.
"Uh, yeah, he's... on the toilet."
Lucas clearly thought this was the funniest thing ever and burst out laughing, and Dani stifled a grin at his reaction. But Ava didn't look as amused.
"Right. So you're Daniella?" Ava's eyes flashed up and down Dani's body, drinking in the appearance of Jake's sexy, college-aged girlfriend.
"Yeah, that's me."
A brief silence followed as Dani and Ava looked at each other awkwardly, Lucas still giggling in the background.
"I... I like your outfit. Are you going somewhere?" Dani asked, attempting to break the ice.
"Out with some friends, yes."
"Cool. I like your jacket. Where's it from?"
"I can't remember. I've had it a while."
"Oh. Right." Dani sucked air between her teeth. "Well, you can leave Lucas here with me. Jake won't be long."
"I'd rather see Jake first," Ava replied bluntly.
"Oh. Okay."
Another silence.
"I like your joggers," Ava said suddenly.
"Oh, really?" Dani's face lit up. "Thanks! They were super expensive."
"I bet. Being a stripper at Pandora's Box pays incredibly well, I hear."
Dani felt like a bomb had gone off inside her, stunned apprehension gripping her insides and twisting them.
"Excuse me?"
"That's what you do, isn't it?" Ava's hard, judgemental gaze bored into her.
"No. I'm a waitress," Dani replied indignantly.
"Same thing," Ava said, shrugging disinterestedly.
"It's not," Dani shot back, a spark of anger lighting inside her. "I don't do that kind of thing."
"Well, you hear all sorts about that place."
"I am not a stripper!"
"Don't take it personally. You've got the looks for it." Ava shrugged. "Plus you're clearly pretty free and easy about showing off your body."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, do you really think it's appropriate to dress like
that
around a little boy?" She gestured at Dani's half naked appearance with her exposed midriff, joggers riding low on her wide hips, and her plump breasts swelling the small crop top. Without a bra, Dani's nipples poked clearly through the fabric.
But Dani was shocked. "I've just got out of bed! And you weren't expected for another half an hour!"
"Plans change. I messaged Jake to let him know. If he hasn't seen it, it's not my fault."
"Hey champ!" Jake's voice boomed through the air, and Dani felt relief flood through her.
"Daddy!" Lucas shouted, running up to Jake and wrapping his arms around his hips. Jake made a growling noise and lifted the laughing boy into his arms, carrying him back towards the door.
"You're getting real heavy you know!"
"Dani said you were doing a poo!" Lucas grinned.
"I said he was on the toilet!" Dani gasped as Jake started laughing.
"Not to interrupt," Ava said icily, her voice slicing through the air. "But can I speak with you a moment?" Her question was levelled at Jake. And it wasn't a question.
Jake's smile faltered slightly, but he still had an easy-going expression on his face as he walked towards Ava, gesturing for them to talk in the hallway. But Ava shook her head and gestured at Dani.
"No.
We're
staying here.
She
can go somewhere else."
