Now, as we pulled away from the curb, my laughter faded. Margo looked pensive.
“What’s up?” I asked, not trying to downplay her emotions but showing I noticed.
“Is it wrong of me to leave her? I know she told you about Tommy. What an ass. He never cared what she did before. Now all of a sudden, he’s my judge and jury, saying I’m sloughing her off. I mean, he didn’t even want to see her until she was out of a cast and able to care for herself. That’s who I share a last name with, the kind of person who I married ... God, I’m not making any sense.”
Throwing her head back, Margo let out an exasperated breath.
Glancing at her, I didn’t speak right away. Not because I didn’t have thoughts, but in case she had anything to add.
“Sorry,” she said with a huff. “I didn’t mean to dump all that. I’m sure you’re ready to escape.”
“No, I was making sure you got it all out.”
“I did. I swear.”
Resisting the urge to pull over, I drove toward my place to pick up Tito, trying to get the puppy as quickly as possible so I could help Margo relax.
“You’re quiet again,” she said.
“Yes. I was thinking that a bath, some self-care, is what you need. Time for you.”
“That’s what you were thinking?”
“Yep.” I nodded, taking a quick peek at her profile. “Hey, I had a single mom. I know women. I see your mind churning.”
This time, she laughed. “If this whole business-savior thing doesn’t work out for you, you could be a fortune-teller. I’m thinking you read people’s minds.”
“Look, a bath, a glass of wine, some pasta, maybe a foot rub ... it will all do you wonders. You’ve been going nonstop. Making a new life, getting promoted at work, taking care of Priscilla, who in no way did you ditch. She wanted to see her friends tonight because she’s a normal kid.”
“How do you know?”
“I have a sixth sense. Even if I don’t know, what I do know, is your ex—”
“He’s not my ex yet.”
“On paper, not yet. In matters of the heart, for years. What I was going to say was your ex had no right to accuse you of that or say that. He’s going to be angry. He got caught being an asshole, and now he has to pay. He even has to ignore your indiscretions, since I know that’s what you’re going to say.”
“Ha-ha,” she said.
“Hold that thought,” I told her as I pulled in front of my building and pressed the hazard lights. “Be right back.”
I hustled into my building, relieved the elevator was empty, and was back down with Tito in minutes. He peed right away and snuggled right into Margo’s lap afterward—who wouldn’t want to do exactly that?
As we pulled away, I picked up right where we’d left off. “As for your name, change it back. It’s not that hard. Get rid of that piece of shit and everything that’s attached to you from him.”
“Well, I can’t get rid of Priss.”
“No fucking way, and I never would ask you to. You know that?”
She nodded. I caught her head moving out of the corner of my eye.
“I didn’t mean that. I just meant, I don’t want her to feel left out.”
I glanced her way. “For the record, if you wanted me to turn around and go back and get her, I would.”
“No, I kind of like the idea of staying in with you. And a foot rub.”
She quieted as she concentrated on the puppy, petting his fur, seeming to be deep in thought.
