Tell him to be careful.
Jin: ETA 5 mins.
I stare at my phone hoping Mei will answer. Savvy comes back and puts a glass of water in front of everyone’s place at the table. My phone buzzes, alerting me to a new text.
Mei: I got Penny picked up. Almost there.
Cason: don’t text and drive or dad will lecture you
What he said.
Mei: I’m at a stoplight. The same one your son just ran. All safe here.
I groan and then chuckle. She certainly fits in well with my group. After being around Jin for the past two weeks, I wondered if Mei would be like her—distant, cool, indifferent. But, she’s the exact opposite. It was a pleasant surprise.
Within a few minutes, all three of my kids stride through our favorite restaurant. Rhett plops down beside me, but Cason and Addison sit on the other side. I listen with amusement as they tell me about their day. My children are the best thing I’ve ever been a part of in my entire life. I’m endlessly in awe of how intelligent and funny they are.
“There’s my baby,” Addison says, waving as Mei enters with Penny on her hip.
She rushes over to them to take Penny from Mei. I don’t miss the disappointment on Mei’s face before she gives up her little sister. I’m going to have to have a chat with Addison about not always taking her away from Mei, who’s still adjusting to this whole thing.
Behind Mei and Penny, Jin breezes in wearing a bright smile. I lift my eyebrows, confused by the expression on her face. Maybe, just maybe, she’s excited to see her girls. But, she walks past them, making a beeline toward me. I freeze when she bends down and plants a wet kiss on my lips.
“Hey, hubby. Miss me?”
I’m so caught off guard by the kiss, I can’t speak. Burning heat sears my flesh. It’s Mei’s gaze I feel on me that makes me feel all the more uncomfortable.
“I, uh,” I murmur as I ignore Rhett’s sniggering.
Jin leans close, lips brushing my ear. “PDA is your rule, not mine. Just sticking to my end of the bargain.”
I give her a clipped nod and offer a quick smile as she takes the set beside me. Mei sits on her other side and Penny gets put into the highchair between Addison and Mei. When I look past Jin at her oldest daughter, I note the small frown of displeasure tugging at Mei’s lips.
My chest aches and I don’t know why. I feel like I did something dirty and wrong in front of the whole family, which is really stupid, actually. I’m married to Jin. Kissing her in public should be natural and normal.
“Savvy,” Addison calls out. “Meet my new sisters.”
Savvy, avoiding Rhett like the plague, gushes over how cute Penny is and offers Mei a small wave. The three older girls discuss Savvy’s pregnancy. I want to listen in, but Rhett nudges me with his elbow.
“Dad…”
“Hmm?” I ask, unable to tear my gaze from Mei who’s smiling now. Such a pretty smile.
“Dad.” He damn near shoves me out of my chair.
I whip my head to face him, scowling. “What, Son?”
He shows me an alert on his phone that says, “Mom arrived at Smoke & Sugar.” It’s the same app we used to use when we were married, but now that we’re divorced, she’s on a separate group with the kids than I am. Not that I have anything to hide, I still don’t like her being able to track me when I’m with my children.
“Great,” I grumble. “What is she doing here?”
Rhett shrugs. “Who the hell knows. But, if I had to guess, she wants to check out the new family.”
I stare at the front door to the restaurant until Leah walks in with a guy I recognize from the country club. Logan or Lennon or some name like that. It would be nice if she were actually here on a date rather than to spy on what I’m up to.
Leaning in to Jin, I mutter, “Leah’s here. Fuck.”
Surprising me, Jin rests her head on my shoulder and hugs me. I wrap an arm around her. We’re in this position when Leah’s eyes land on our table.
