“We’re doing okay.” I take a step forward and look around. The place is busy with many of the tables filled with people wearing Granite Ice jerseys. More than likely, after the game was canceled, they all went out. My chest tightens at the mere thought of it all, but I know better than to spend too much time dwelling on it. I push the thought out of my head and glance at the hostess to see what’s taking her so long.
“Are your wife and daughter joining you tonight or is it just the boys again?” She’s staring at me, but I toss a look over my shoulder to see who she is actually talking to. Nobody is behind me. I sputter out a cough. This is the second time someone thought Kaci was my wife. It’s like the universe is mocking me.I’ve never been asked before if anyone was my wife, let alone twice in two days.
“It’s just us.” I jerk my thumb to Rigsby. To avoid being asked that question a third time, I take the time to clarify things. “I’m not married. That woman was just a friend.”
“Too bad. You two would make an adorable couple.” She quirks a brow like she knows something I don’t before walking forward. I’m left struggling to make my legs work.
Why does that affect me so much?
Kaci is gorgeous. Yes, we could make a cute couple, but she made it clear she wasn’t interested in dating. So it doesn’t matter that we’d be a cute couple.
I stumble forward with Rigsby by my side. When we get to our booth, we slide in, and order our wings and root beer. Since it’s wing night, everything comes quickly, and Rigsby eagerly reaches into the bucket, not shy about pulling out the biggest one.
It makes me smile at how comfortable he is with me. I survey the wings, deliberately avoiding the big ones so he can have them and settle on the runt. “Thanks for not bringing Frankfurter to the game tonight.” I grin through my first bite and ask, “Is he still living in your backpack?”
“No, I only had him in there for your house. He's in a cage in my closet." He draws in a breath and then blows it out with a small shake of his head. “Thanks for not telling my mom about him.”
“Your secret is safe with me—for now, but maybe we can tell her together. She might not be as upset as you think and keeping him in a cage in the closet doesn’t sound like the best life. He needs to get out more.”
I grab my drink and take a long sip. It’s odd but it almost feels like something is missing from this meal.
And it’s not the food.
The wings are amazing as always. I just keep looking around, like I’m expecting someone else to be there, which is insane because I have been single forever. I eat alone all the time. Rigsby’s company should feel like a lot compared to what I’m used to.
I grab another wing and chew off the skin with force.
“Are you mad about the game?” Rigsby reaches across the table and takes the last wing in the bucket. “You’re quiet.”
“I don’t think so.” I’ve developed some sort of nervous fidget, scratching the back of my head. Not because it itches, but because sitting here is a struggle.
Rigsby props his elbow on the table and leans over. “You should have gotten Kaci the perfume I told you about, Mr. Rizzard of Oz.”
“Excuse me?” I do a double take. Where did that come from? “What do you know about rizz? You’re seven.”
“I know you don’t have enough, because it’s all over your face that you like Kaci.”
“No, it’s not.” I straighten up, trying to hold a serious expression. “It’s not on there.”
“Uncle Jack.” He gives me the most pointed stare I’ve ever seen from a kid. “Bella and I saw you kiss her.”
“You did?” I scratch my head again. This conversation seems a little too mature to be having with Rigsby. Before I can change the subject he goes on.
“Bella said that it was a huge mistake to kiss her mom.”
“Oh. Really?”
“Yeah, her mom says she’ll get a man when pigs learn to fly.”
Okay, that makes me chuckle. I can see Kaci saying that, especially to Bella. Trying to explain the complexities of human relationships to a child is just too hard and keeping it funny is definitely the way to go. I don’t get why she’s so guarded. I haven’t given her a reason not to trust me. All I want is a chanceto get to know her. I’m not asking her to get married. I just want to go roller blading or something…
Now, I’m really unsettled.
Something is missing from this dinner, and I know what it is.
The problem is that she’s not going to believe I’m serious. She’s not going to believe any words at all. She needs me to show her that I’m not looking for a distraction. If I’m going to let someone into my life now, it’ll only be because I’m ready to make her my everything.
I have to find a way to show her that.
