She chuckles, giving me a glimpse of that gorgeous smile. “You weren’t that bad. You were always so sweet to me.”
“If my mom were still alive, she’d have some things to tell you.”
We both laugh before she finally steps out of my embrace. I hated to let her go, but I knew I had to. She cast her gaze down to the ground while scuffing the toe of her shoe on the pavement.
“How was fishing?”
“Not bad. Caught a pretty good haul. I did find out that my ex-wife told my son that he’s annoying.”
“She what?” The fire in her eyes as she asks that question warms my heart. Ella is just as pissed as I am about that bullshit.
I hold up a hand to calm her down. “She didn’t actually say it to him. Apparently, dipshit James was complaining about Jacob being needy and soft, and he overheard their conversation.”
“Well, what did Val say to James? Hopefully, she put him in his place and preferably out her house.”
I shrug. “Jake said she didn’t reply or defend him. But I don’t know. He could have just not heard it. All I know is that I’ll be bringing that conversation to her attention and having a word with James. No kid needs to hear shit like that.”
Her hand against my arm was a gentle caress, but it felt like a match lighting my entire body. Every time she touches me lately, it has the same effect. I’ve always had lingering feelings for Ella, but I swear those feelings went on steroids after the divorce. Now, I can’t be in the same room with her too long without wanting to touch her and kiss her. Hell, even taste her.
“You should definitely ask her about it and talk to James. Did you also let Jacob know that in no way is he too needy?”
I grin. “Yeah. I told him that me nor you have a problem being around him and he wasn’t needy for wanting to hang with us.”
“Good. Maybe he can stay with Cam tonight, and we can watch that new series on Disney+. The one about the camp for Greek gods.”
This is why this woman is so fucking special to me. Despite her own shit going on, she wanted to make sure my son felt appreciated. Ella never left Jacob out of her plans with the boys. Her heart was just too big.
“Sure. I know he’d love that.”
She nods her head and grins. “Well, it’s a date.”
Speaking of dates. “You still plan to go out this Saturday with the dentist who owns a Porsche?”
Per our new arrangement, Ella now has to let me know every time she has a date. She told me earlier this week that she and the dentist she’s been talking to for a few weeks have finally set something up. As much as I hate the idea of her dating, I know that she needs this. Besides, there is no need to fight it. It’s not like I can have her.
“Yeah. We’re....wait. How do you know he has a Porche?” Her brow lifts, and her hands land on her hips. “Tell me you didn’t get Devon to go snooping in that man’s life?”
I chuckled because she already knew the answer to that question. Devon and I played college ball together. He’s one of my closest friends. Like me, after graduation he had to hang up his football dreams. He took the cop route.
“What’s the use of having a friend who works for the police department if you don’t make him run background and criminal record checks on your neighbor's dates?”
She shakes her head and playfully rolls her eyes. “Did he find anything?”
“I wouldn’t be asking you about the date if he had.”
And trust me, I had him look hard. After that last dickhead, I wanted to make sure this guy didn’t have any type of assault or restraining orders on him. The only thing Devon found was a couple of unpaid parking tickets. Looks like buddy is very peculiar about where he parks his fancy car.
She drops her hands to her sides. “Well, if you must know, he and I are going out to see that new art exhibit and then out to dinner at that fancy French restaurant, L’Amour Sombre.”
I grimace. She laughs.
“What? You don’t find my date plans good enough?”
“Hell no. Plus, you’re not that type of girl. You’d much prefer an independently owned restaurant and a walk through the botanical gardens over a stuffy art exhibit and French food.”
This time when I laugh, she doesn’t join me.
“What’s wrong?” I hate the idea that I somehow offended her.
