Chapter 17 #2
Cockalorum sputtered, and then it was his turn to go red. “Excuse me? What difference does it make to you if I drop them off three days later?”
“I want to spend time with them before they go back to school. And you didn’t check with me first before extending your trip. I want them home on Saturday.”
My ex-husband leaned in so only I could hear him, his eyes spewing hatred at me. “You’d better think about that again. You know what’s on the line for you. I can take it all away if I want to.”
And with those words, he took the suitcases and turned his back on me. “Girls, let’s go.”
I dropped to my knees and hugged and kissed both my girls. They looked unsure about leaving, but I pasted a bright smile on my face. “Have the best time at the beach. I’m going to miss you every minute you’re gone. But I’ll see you in a week, okay?” After kissing them again, I stood up.
Vance was still close, and his hand found my back, gently resting there. Cockalorum’s eyes snapped to where we were touching.
I took a deep breath, ignoring the way my throat closed up at the thought of not seeing them for a whole week. “You can call me any time.”
I’d given Addy a cheap phone because I wanted her to be able to reach me in case of an emergency. Blowing them kisses as they walked out, I took a step forward and leaned out the door. “Love you so much.”
“Love you too,” they both called out, waving the whole way down the stairs until they disappeared around the corner.
Vance’s arm moved around my back, and he pulled me into his side. “Since I’m not your lawyer anymore, I can tell you that your ex is a piece of shit. What an asshole.”
I chuffed out a laugh. “You don’t even know the half of it.”
We stood in silence for a few seconds, staring at each other, before I looked away. “We’d better get on the road if we want to get furniture today.”
He shook his head at me, one corner of his mouth tipped up in amusement. “All right, ipo.”
I grabbed my leather jacket that my mom had given me for my eighteenth birthday, then my keys and phone, and I was ready to go.
Vance’s hand once again settled on my back. “Let’s get lunch before we head off.”
Okay. Lunch. I could eat. Will this count as a date?
Vance opened his car door for me, leaning into my space where I’d very much like him to stay. “Stop overthinking this and go with it.”
Gulping down the knot in my throat, I nodded.
I could do this. I’d dated before. Even if it was only one other guy before meeting Cockalorum.
And I was in high school. But lots of people went on dates.
It couldn’t be harder than spending the day trying to explain the television remote to my elderly neighbor.
And she still didn’t know how to turn the TV off even after I put a sticker next to the correct button.
Fifteen minutes later, we were sitting in front of Tacos & Tamborazos, one of my favorite restaurants.
“Tacos okay?”
“Absolutely. But we could have gone to a drive-through. I’m not picky.”
He didn’t respond, just got out and rounded the car. I slid my hand into his when he held it out to me, liking the contact entirely too much. After he closed the door behind me, we walked inside.
The hostess led us to a table near the back, and we slid into the booth on opposite sides.
I loved the food, but I loved the building almost as much.
The former café had been recently renovated, the inside decorated with bright colors, fake trees, and a huge bar that took up most of the back wall.
The booths were spacious and comfortable, and the tables were made out of natural dark wood.
I didn’t have to open the menu to know what I wanted.
Vance glanced at me over the top of his. “You already know what you want?”
Nodding, I twined my hands together, resting them on the table. “I used to order food from here almost every week.”
“Not anymore?”
“Life got busy.”
Going to a restaurant was not on my bingo card at the moment.
I knew he didn’t buy my response when his brow lifted the way it always did.
“You guys ready to order?”
Saved by the waitress with the ridiculously tight shirt.
“Can I have the nachos, please?”
Vance put his menu down, a deep frown marring his beautiful face. “Is that all you’re going to order? You only had a donut this morning.”
Ordering nachos was already stretching my budget tight. I hoped I was wearing the jeans I’d stuffed a few dollars into last week. “I’m fine. I love nachos.”
He turned to the waitress, then looked back down at the menu. “We’re having two of each taco, and beef fajitas.”
That was a lot of food. I assumed he could eat a lot based on his size, but I wasn’t sure even he could eat all that. The portions were generous. And there were almost ten different tacos on offer.
“Any drinks?”
“I’m fine with water.” He turned to me. “Do you want a Coke?”
How does he know I like to drink Coca-Cola?
“That’s okay, I’m happy with water.”
The frown line appeared again. “You sure? I know how much caffeine you consume every day. And you haven’t even nearly hit your usual levels.”
Seriously, has he been watching me or something? Because he knows way more about me than I do about him.
He also seemed to be a mind reader, because I wanted a soda with my lunch.
“Actually, I will take a Coke.” Maybe there was some change floating around in my bag somewhere that I could use to pay for the drink.
The waitress headed off to fill the order.
“Malena mentioned that you’ll be doing extra hours at the office this week and might have some time to help me out.”
I thanked the waitress as she set our drinks down in front of us, then nodded.
“I should have time, but I’ll let you know how much exactly on Monday once I know Malena’s, Thad’s, and Keely’s availability.
Riley will be there as well, but Keely has a big case coming up that will take up most of her and Riley’s time. ”
I didn’t want to go home to an empty apartment and would be happy to stay until late. And the extra money was much needed, so I’d gladly taken on extra work when Malena asked.
“No problem. And only if you can squeeze it in.”
“So, why did you leave your old firm?”
“It was in New York. And I wanted to move to Butler. And that’s not a commute I’m willing to make.”
“And you can just leave?”
The waitress appeared again, covering the table in plates. She had to make three trips to get everything over to us.
Vance loaded up his plate while I was too busy gaping at the food. “I’m opening a branch in Denver. I’ll be running it myself, but I’m still part owner of the business.”
“Wouldn’t it make more sense to move to Denver? To be closer to work?”
He set the plate that was full of tacos down in front of me. “Since I don’t want to live there, no.”
I blinked at the mountain of food. “But what if you don’t like Butler? Isn’t a house pretty permanent?”
He pushed the nachos and guacamole close enough so I could reach them, then put a napkin and cutlery next to my plate. “I can’t see myself moving anywhere else.”
Picking up a chip, I dipped it into the salsa. “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be furnishing your house, to be honest. I don’t think we have the same taste.”
Surely he could hire an interior designer. What did he need me for?
He’d filled his own plate, arranging his cutlery. “I want the house to be more personal. A space I can feel at home in. And who better to ask for help than the person who’s made her house not just a house but a beautiful home.”
Now I knew he was full of confetti. I lived in a cramped apartment and slept on the couch. “I mean, I’m happy to help, but—”
“Perfect. It’s decided, then.”
I decided to finally take a bite of my delicious nachos.
And an hour later, we’d eaten almost half the food, and I knew a lot more about Vance than before.
And not once had he frowned. I’d found out that his whole family lived in Hawaii, but he had a house there as well, so he could go whenever time allowed.
Which hadn’t happened in five years since he worked all the time.
He also adored his nieces and nephews and video-called them every week.
Vance checked his watch and nodded to my almost-empty plate. “You ready?”
A glance at the table confirmed there was a lot left over. Enough to feed me for a few days. My face flushed in embarrassment at the question I was about to ask. “Do you mind if I ask for take-out containers?”
“Of course not. Do you want me to order more?”
Okay, now I’m moving from slightly uncomfortable to mortified.
“No, no, that’s more than enough.”
He waved the waitress over and asked for the containers and the check. I dove into my bag to find my wallet, emerging victoriously a few seconds later. New record set.
I was met with Vance’s frown, and the grin slipped off my face. He nodded to my wallet. “What are you doing?”
“Paying my half?”
“Absolutely not.”
And with that, he stood up and walked over to where the waitress was busy typing something into the cash register.
I watched him talk to her, then hand her his card.
She passed over a few empty plastic containers, then gave him his card back.
He stalked back to the table, his attention focused on me.
He garnered a lot of attention just by walking through the restaurant. I certainly wasn’t the only one watching him. But he didn’t seem to notice, his eyes fixed on mine.
Handing me half the containers, he put the food inside the ones he was still holding. I bit my lip, unsure of how to dispel the tension that seemed to have settled over us.
After filling up four containers, Vance led me out to the car, one hand in its usual spot on my back, the other holding the bag of leftovers. At this point, it would be almost weirder if he made me walk without touching me.
My phone rang as I was about to get in. Since it was the realtor, I didn’t delay answering.
“Malena. I’m glad you picked up. Have you thought about the offer?”
“I have. And it’s too low.”