“I’m not going anywhere. Told Pip I’d help her do that puzzle.”
“Great. Would you be okay with me taking off for a few hours?” she asked.
He nodded. “Of course. You haven’t taken any time off since you moved in here. Got fun plans?”
Belle had foolishly hoped he wouldn’t ask what she was doing, but she knew that wish was fruitless. Victor’s overprotectiveness had recently started extending to her, as well as his niece. Whenever she—with or without Pip—left the house, he always wanted to know where she was going and when she’d be back. So far, she’d only popped out for quick errands, like driving to Vivian’s house to water the plants and get the mail, or to grab more clothes for herself and Pip. Once, she’d gone to the post office to mail a package to her mother for her birthday, and of course, Pip had to come because…post office.
After a lifetime of basically fending for herself, Belle was touched and turned on by Victor’s concern for her well-being.
“I have a coffee date,” she replied, purposely vague.
His scowl grew darker, and that was when she recalled sharing her plan for any first dates with online suitors. “With someone from that fucking dating app?”
She nodded, pointing to the swear jar at the same time.
Victor never broke eye contact, even as he reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, and stuffed a dollar in the jar. He’d confessed a few nights ago that he had stopped at the bank and withdrawn a hundred dollars in ones, joking that should tide him over for a week or two. She and Pip were starting to think the Disney dream might be a viable possibility.
“Yes. I’m meeting one of the men I’ve been chatting with, at my old coffee shop.”
Victor crossed his arms. “What’s his name? What does he do for a living that he can just take off in the middle of a workday for coffee? Please tell me the loser’s got a job, at least.”
Belle folded her own arms over her chest, mimicking his position. “His name is Scott, and he sells insurance, so he makes his own schedule.” Scott had suggested they meet for drinks at a bar near the waterfront, but Belle had preferred keeping their first meeting sober and short and at a place where she felt completely safe. She’d been relieved when he relented on the bar and agreed to meet her for coffee.
So far, she’d only made online connections with two guys who didn’t give off major creepy vibes. Scott seemed friendly enough through their messaging, but in truth, she preferred talking to the second guy, Sean, more. However, Scott was the first man to suggest they move off the app and meet in person, so she accepted the invitation.
If this didn’t go well, at least she had a backup.
If things with Sean didn’t go well, either, she’d have to start weeding through the profiles again, something she really,reallydidn’t want to do. It had been hard enough narrowing her options down to Scott and Sean, after enduring at least a dozen conversations with men who were clearly looking for just what Victor suggested—a hookup and nothing else.
“Insurance,” Victor scoffed. “Sounds like a pussy.”
Belle pointed to the jar, but Victor didn’t move.
“Pussy doesn’t count,” he countered.
She snorted. “It definitely counts. Unless you’re prepared to define that word for Pip because, I assure you, if she hears you say it, shewillask.”
Victor sighed, then stuffed three more dollars in the jar. She started to tell him one was enough, but he spoke before she could.
“Son of a fucking bitch,” he muttered. “I don’t like you going out with a guy you met online, Sunshine. It’s not safe.”
She rolled her eyes, because it was that or literally melt over him calling her Sunshine. The nickname had already stuck,and she fucking loved it. “Then how do you propose I meet someone?”
Victor shrugged.
“I suppose you could introduce me to one of your teammates,” she teased. “That Andrew guy?—”
“Forget it,” Victor barked.
Belle laughed. “We’re not rehashing the online dating conversation, Victor. I’m meeting him in the middle of the day at a busy coffee shop where everyone knows me. It’s the safest date in the history of dating.”
“How long will you be gone?” he huffed.
“Do you have plans for later?” she asked sincerely. “Because if so, I can make sure to be home at a specific time and?—”
Victor waved his hand. “I don’t have plans. I just want to know when I can expect you back.”
She was tempted to ask why it mattered, but again, Victor spoke before she could work up the nerve. Because her foolish heartwantedit to matter to him. Wanted him to be jealous.
