“Dad!”
A young male voice directly behind us.
Mitch turned.
So did I.
A woman stood there, brown hair cropped into a pixie cut, bright-red lips, pointed chin, and a Coldplay t-shirt teamed with denims. At each of her sides stood a boy, their long limbs pronouncing they were on the cusp of adolescence.
“Dad.” The one on the right said, his eyes wide and a can of cola gripped in his hand. “What are you doing…here?”
“Nathan, Harry, wow, what a nice surprise.” Mitch released my ass and stepped forward. He gave each boy a rough hug and pat on the back.
“Not that much of a surprise to find kids at the fair,” the woman said.
“Sarah.” Mitch stepped close to my side and folded his arms. “He’snot with you then.”
“Business trip.”
“Is that what he told you?” Mitch shrugged.
“It is.” She scowled at him, pure venom in her eyes. “Why wouldn’t it be true?”
“He’s got history, same as you. Not being where you say you are.” Mitch shrugged and turned his attention to his children. “I thought you’d be saving all your excitement for Disney rides next month.”
“We love the fair, Dad,” Harry said with a grin. “You know that.”
“So what rides have you been on?” Mitch asked.
While the boys rattled off their adventures so far, I held my candy floss in front of my face almost like a barrier. But it was no good. Their curious glances kept drifting my way. Well, the boys were curious, Sarah…she just appeared mad as hell. Her eyes were so filled with hate that it took away from any beauty she had as if an eraser had been cast over her features.
“Who’s this?” Nathan asked and pointed at me.
I knew it was Nathan because he wore a baseball cap with his name on it.
“This is Amy.” Mitch took my hand.
“Girlfriend?” Harry raised his eyebrows at his father then studied me once more. His gaze drifted down my body, taking in the Barbie t-shirt, short skirt, and long socks. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-eight.” I smiled. “And you?”
“Twelve.” He glanced up at his mother.
“Come on,” she said. “We’ll leave your father and his young friend to it.”
“Wait.” Mitch dug into his wallet and retrieved several notes. He shared them out between the boys. “Have the rest of your rides on me, okay, and get a burger.”
“They don’t need your money,” Sarah said.
“So why’d you take me to court for a maintenance settlement that’s just about crippled me?” Mitch shoved his wallet away.
Sarah huffed. “Go on the dodgems again, boys.” She gestured at the ride to her left. “There’s barely a queue now.”
The boys nodded then ran off with a whoop of delight.
“You take care,” Mitch said, then turned from Sarah. “Let’s go, baby.”
“I don’t know what you’re fucking playing at.” Suddenly Sarah was in his face, wagging her finger. “With this…this weird setup.” She wafted her hand at me as though I were something nasty on her shoe. “But I won’t have my boys around it.”
