“Did we have a dinner date or something?” I don’t answer the question.
“You weren’t with Winnie.”
“No,” I say carefully, “she’s not interested in me, remember?”
“Well, since you’re over her, I’m going to take her out on a date.” He laughs at me. Then the laughter cuts off when he sees the fury on my face.
“Knew it.” He advances on me. “I don’t know where you went, but I’ll bet money that you were up to some shit. I don’t trust you Seattle Svennsons. You’re too much like our father.”
“I wasn’t doing anything. Just had to deal with sports-team drama.”
“Liar.”
“And I’m not up to some shit with Winnie. It’s all aboveboard. In fact,” I tell him, manufacturing the lie on the spot, “I’m taking her and her family to the NHL game tomorrow night. It’s super wholesome and family friendly, great for children of all ages, four to ninety-four. So there.”
He makes a disgusted noise.
“I’ll give you free tickets too.”
“I want football tickets.”
“Your fairy god-billionaire grants your wish.” I sprinkle pretend fairy dust on him.
“For all the kids too,” he adds.
“Now, hold on—”
“In a skybox.”
“No.”
“With catering.”
“Damn it.”
26
WINNIE
Knox is just as big as I remembered him, though not as big as the stalker was.
I grit my teeth, trying not to think about what I just did—andwhere.
I don’t even recognize myself.
I’m having a midlife crisis—that’s what it is. Or maybe perimenopause? I’m old enough to get that, right?
I need a hot bath, some alone time to remember the way it felt to be fucked like that. Maybe I’ll check myself into a swanky hotel room, not have to deal with yet more family drama.
But all the swanky hotels in the city are owned by Fitz, so maybe that’s not such a smart idea.
“Knox is back! Isn’t that wonderful?” Mom cries, giving the hockey player a hug.
“I’m making him his favorite,” my dad tells me, beaming from the stove.
Fidget glares at Knox from around the fridge.
“I thought you’d be a little happier to see me, Winn Dixie,” my sister’s ex says, the ego and narcissism just oozing out of him. “Why don’t you come give me a hug? We’re practically family.”
