Chapter 11

That evening, after Skylar’s nose is hit by a stray ball at Emmy’s game, West takes her to the dim patio of the Rose Hill Reach to keep her from spiraling about the injury. He jokes about her Sparkly Turquoise Unicorns hat and reassures her the nose isn’t broken.

When Skylar jokes about tabloids speculating on a nose job, West bluntly urges her to stop reading them, arguing they don’t define her and that checking won’t change lies. Skylar admits it’s hard not to look, and West drops the subject to avoid making her uncomfortable.

Doris, the brash owner-server, arrives with racy humor and takes their order, labeling Skylar “another one of your friends,” which makes Skylar probe what that means. West explains it implies he sleeps with some friends and, pressed further, says he keeps casual arrangements because he won’t disrupt his kids’ stability, especially Oliver’s progress after Brandon.

The admission rattles Skylar, who confesses she feels guilty about their earlier kiss, like she kissed someone’s boyfriend. West firmly states he is single and that the kiss wasn’t a mistake, their tension cresting just as Doris returns with drinks and cuts off anything further he might say.