I was sure my face was bright red at the anger that had risen inside me at his words.But there was no way I would cause a scene with the kids there.“What time will you drop them off?”
“Why?You planning on going somewhere?”
He sounded as if it was an outlandish idea that I would go anywhere.
“I don’t know yet.It’s a week away.But I want to make sure I’ll be home when you get back.”
“About that.We decided to stay an extra three days.There’s a singer Tammy likes who’s doing a concert while we’re there.I managed to get tickets.”
“What are you doing with the girls while you go to the concert?”
“There are nannies at the place we’re staying.You don’t expect me to spend every minute of every day with them, do you?”
I ground my teeth together instead of forming a tight fist—thumb on the outside the way Thad had shown me—and punching Cockalorum’s stupid smug face.
“Actually, you’ll have to have the girls back on Saturday, according to the custody agreement.”Vance’s heat hit my back.“Unless Mae agrees to any changes.”
“I don’t agree.”
Cockalorum sputtered, and then it was his turn to go red.“Excuse me?What difference does it make to you if I drop them off three days later?”
“I want to spend time with them before they go back to school.And you didn’t check with me first before extending your trip.I want them home on Saturday.”
My ex-husband leaned in so only I could hear him, his eyes spewing hatred at me.“You’d better think about that again.You know what’s on the line for you.I can take it all away if I want to.”
And with those words, he took the suitcases and turned his back on me.“Girls, let’s go.”
I dropped to my knees and hugged and kissed both my girls.They looked unsure about leaving, but I pasted a bright smile on my face.“Have the best time at the beach.I’m going to miss you every minute you’re gone.But I’ll see you in a week, okay?”After kissing them again, I stood up.
Vance was still close, and his hand found my back, gently resting there.Cockalorum’s eyes snapped to where we were touching.
I took a deep breath, ignoring the way my throat closed up at the thought of not seeing them for a whole week.“You can call me any time.”
I’d given Addy a cheap phone because I wanted her to be able to reach me in case of an emergency.Blowing them kisses as they walked out, I took a step forward and leaned out the door.“Love you so much.”
“Love you too,” they both called out, waving the whole way down the stairs until they disappeared around the corner.
Vance’s arm moved around my back, and he pulled me into his side.“Since I’m not your lawyer anymore, I can tell you that your ex is a piece of shit.What an asshole.”
I chuffed out a laugh.“You don’t even know the half of it.”
We stood in silence for a few seconds, staring at each other, before I looked away.“We’d better get on the road if we want to get furniture today.”
He shook his head at me, one corner of his mouth tipped up in amusement.“All right,ipo.”
I grabbed my leather jacket that my mom had given me for my eighteenth birthday, then my keys and phone, and I was ready to go.
Vance’s hand once again settled on my back.“Let’s get lunch before we head off.”
Okay.Lunch.I could eat.Will this count as a date?
Vance opened his car door for me, leaning into my space where I’d very much like him to stay.“Stop overthinking this and go with it.”
Gulping down the knot in my throat, I nodded.I could do this.I’d dated before.Even if it was only one other guy before meeting Cockalorum.And I was in high school.But lots of people went on dates.It couldn’t be harder than spending the day trying to explain the television remote to my elderly neighbor.And she still didn’t know how to turn the TV off even after I put a sticker next to the correct button.
Fifteen minutes later, we were sitting in front of Tacos & Tamborazos, one of my favorite restaurants.
“Tacos okay?”
