“What? He seems like a sweet kid. And I have a rule about hurting sweet kids.”
“We’re here to celebrate, not plan murders.” Leonie lifts one of the champagne bottles she set neatly in a row. “Would you like a glass?” She tips it towards Creed with her badge clearly visible.
Creed’s eyes bug out. “Um…Sure.”
“Leonie, don’t tease the boy,” Winnie sets the glasses down.
“But it’s so easy.” She takes out a bottle of sparkling cider and places it next to the liquor, and then a bottle of white grape juice.
“What are you celebrating?” Creed finds his voice.
“Stupid men getting what they deserve,” Ottilie announces.
***
Twenty minutes later, after we finished toasting and we’re finally sitting at the table eating, Winnie asks. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No.” The boy’s plate is piled high.
“Did your father teach you to hate women, too?”
“No, ma—no he didn’t. I’ve just lived in the same town forever. All the girls here are more like sisters to me. It would feel weird dating them. And dad doesn’t hate women. I think he’s just afraid of losing his heart to the wrong one again.”
“Aww,” Cordelia sighs.
Creed sets down his fork and turns to me. “He really is very sorry for being mean to you. He just doesn’t know how to say it. If you’ll give him a chance to apologize—”
“Just how hot is he?”
“Winnie!” Cordelia glares at her.
“What? We need to know what we’re working with here.”
“Winnie’s right. We do need to know.” Mindy lifts up her cake-filled fork. “But the question isn’t how hot he is. It’s is he a forever kind of guy, like my Maddox, or is he a fun and done guy? Greer really needs a fun and done guy before she moves on to a real relationship.”
“My dad is a forever guy,” Creed cuts in. “He’s a man who finds a woman that he protects, cares for, and loves until the day he dies kind of guy. He’s a guy who fills her gas tank soshe doesn’t ever have to stop at a gas station. A guy that opens her doors. A guy who brings his woman flowers because it’s a random Tuesday and he wants to see her smile. That’s who my dad is.”
“And how do you know that? Does he have a woman we could ask for references?” Ottilie sets down her fork. “We should check his references if Greer is considering entering into an affair with him.”
“Guys. That’s enough.” I need to stop this line of conversation.
“No. I can answer that one, too. I know that’s who my dad is, because that’s the man he taught me to be.”
“Good answer.” Ottilie nods.
“That wasn’t a good answer. That was perfect. Greer, if you’re not into him, I think I’ve just decided who my next affaires de coeur will be with.” Winnie pretends to fan herself.
“I think my dad already has other plans.”
All eyes turn to me, and I pretend not to see them.
We’re here because I just divorced an idiot. Now isn’t the time for me to think about anything else.
Don’t Get Caught
Havoc
We watch the empty security feed for any sign of Creed or the women who disappeared into Greer’s house seemingly forever ago.
