We look up and there's a small crowd circling us.
These idiots really think he's abusing me.
"It's okay," I say. "We're married. We're just messing around."
But it's too late. A bouncer is approaching now.
"Lemme walk you to your car," Ace says, and we hurry toward the back where my car is parked.
Nobody follows us, thankfully, but as I flee the parking lot, with Ace behind me in his car, I think about how that must have looked to everybody who saw it.
It's nobody's business, really, but I guess this is the kind of thing Ace is trying to fix. I'm embarrassed, as I'm sure he is.
And I don't think marriage is supposed to be embarrassing.
32
Ace
Tori loves her a four-star hotel.
She's at the Four Seasons this time, waiting for me at the bar.
“Thanks for meeting me," I say as I approach.
“You’re welcome, baby. Always nice to see you. You look good. A little tired, though.”
“Yeah. Your niece is running my ragged.” I take in the new hair color. Still close-cropped, but now it's bright red.
"I like that. Looks nice on you."
"Thanks." She signals for the bartender. "Ragged, huh?
"Yeah."
She nods. "Do you remember the last time we met up?”
“Don’t start.”
“I warned you, Ace. I told you. But you were all in love.”
“I’mstillin love, just…like you said. I’m tired.”
“So your little plan didn’t work, huh?”
“Not at all. It just made shit worse. And now I’m freaking out because she keeps threatening to kill it.”
“Yeah, she asked me to get her something. I told her I’d look into it, but I’m just stalling.”
I shake my head. “Do you think she’s serious?”
“You know as well as I do that anything is possible with her.”
I nod at that. “Does she know you’re in town?”
“I didn’t tell her.”
“So what do I do?”
