I glare for a third time at my ex-wife.
“She’s got a killer bod.”
That she does. “I wouldn’t know.”
“Liar.”
“We done here?” I raise my cup and sip some more, hoping she takes the hint.
“Yeah, babe.” She pats my arm. “For now.”
Great.
Once Jackie leaves, not five minutes passes before I hear that young voice from earlier today. “Hi, Mr. Visch.”
Fuck. “Hey.” I don’t bother lookin’ down at her. Instead, I scan the area hopin’ my youngest is close enough to intervene here.
“You wanna dance, Mr. Visch?” The girl is twirling her long blonde hair around her finger and blowing a big pink bubble with her gum at the same time.
No joke.
Is she for real? This is makin’ me all kinds of uncomfortable. I look left, then right looking for anyone who can help me out of this situation. The last thing I want to do is say something wrong here.
Jesus. What do I do?
When I hear a bell chime from behind me, I look back and see Prudence exiting her shop and release the air I was holdin’ in my lungs. I’m saved. Prudence is locking the door which, I assume, means she’s done for the day. It’s also my chance at getting rid of the child that’s hitting on me.
“Babe,” I say aloud, hoping Prudence hears me.
Her head jerks in my direction. The scowl I’ve seen one too many times appears as she asks, “Are you talking to me?”
“Yeah.” I toss what’s left of my warm beer into the trash can and take three long strides her way. My arms are open, giving her a hint I’m about to wrap her up. God, I hope she doesn’t pull her usual sassy bullshit right now. She looks like a deer caught in headlights, but lucky for me, she keeps that feisty mouth of hers shut. I slide my arms around her and pull her to my chest. “Hard day, baby?”
“Who’s that?” The girl points at Prudence.
“This is my woman, Prudence.”
“Her?” The girl’s mouth is hanging open.
“Yep.” I kiss to the top of Prudence’s head. Damn her hair smells good. Kind of flowery. Not to mention having her in my arms. Damn, it’s nice. I could getrealused to this. “Her.”
“Zoe didn’t tell me you were seeing someone.”
Note to self, kick Zoe’s ass.
“None of her business.”
“She’s––”
I’m a bit afraid what this twerp is going to say, so I interrupt. “She’s fucking beautiful.”
“Whatever.” The girl waves me off with one hand and disappears into the crowd. Funny thing, I don’t have any inclination to let Prudence go because truth be told, her tits are pressed up against my stomach, and I really like ‘em there.
“Can you release me now, please?”
“Oh.” I chuckle. “Sure.”
She steps back, looking at me as though she’d like to kill me. “What the heck was all that about?”
