As I bounced Ava in my arms, losing myself in her adoring blue eyes, I sensed Caterina’s dopey stare.
“What?”
“You’re a natural with her.”
She tucked a piece of Ava’s hair behind her ear where she was now nestled on my shoulder.
“I’m her godfather. And someone has to save her from the fun police she has as parents.”
Caterina climbed onto a bar stool and regarded me with wary eyes.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Thea to join us tonight.”
“Oh,” I stilled for a moment. Friday afternoon had me all kinds of confused. I had no idea where we left things, especially since I’d bolted out of the hotel before I could see her leave with her ex-fiancé or whatever the hell Adam was.
I had zero right to be jealous, but after stealing a glimpse of who we used to be, and watching her go off with someone else right after, I was a green-eyed, unreasonable, selfish asshole.
“That sounded like a loaded ‘oh’.” Her nose crinkled at me. “Something I should know?”
I shook my head. “Nope. The more the merrier.” I caught Caterina’s glare in my periphery but kept my attention on Ava.
“I think she’s getting antsy from all this time being out here alone. When she came over on Friday—”
“Came over?” I asked as my head whipped around. “Are you guys hanging out now, or something?”
“Would it bother you if we did?” She quirked a brow and crossed her arms. “Thea and I have a lot in common, including close friends that live three hours away. I would think you’d be happy if she had friends out here.”
“I am. I mean it’s fine.” My eyes darted around the room, and even my goddaughter regarded me with a puzzled stare. I blew out a long breath, once again feeling like a jerk for the dumb way I was reacting.
“Yes,” I conceded. “I’m glad she’s got a friend out here, and I’m actually happy she’s coming along. Thea would love the festival, the both of you will probably be stuck to the shrimp stand for most of the night.”
She laughed. “Good. She seemed to perk up a little when I asked her to join us.”
“Perk up? Was she upset? It wasn’t Adam, was it?”
She squinted at me. “The friend she went to lunch with?”
“So, she mentioned him?” I grumbled. “I knew it.”
Caterina rolled her eyes. “Whatever we talk about is none of your business.”
Joe chuckled as he scooped Ava out of my arms.
“But I bet Caterina could ask about you when she sees her in English class.”
A growl of frustration rubbed at the back of my throat.
“Funny,” I said as Joe cracked up, rubbing his daughter’s back as her head rested on his shoulder.
“So, she was engaged to Adam? Interesting.”
“Just a friend, Adam,” I spat out. “Yes.”
“Why are you so pissed? They aren’t engaged anymore, and even if they were, you can’t really get mad, you know.”
“Yes, I know,” I answered and stalked away from the bar.
I couldn’t get mad, but I was all the time.
