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“Shit…” Smith breathes and I meet his gaze as he looks up at me. “What’s her name?”
“What?”
He rolls his eyes. “Oh, don’t give me that, Fuzz. Your fucking face says it all. There’s a woman and she’s got you by the balls.”
“No, she doesn’t.”
“Yeah, okay,” he murmurs, flashing me a look that makes it clear he doesn’t believe a word coming out of my mouth. “You know what… I’m picking up on that scent again.”
“Fuck off,” I grumble as a petite little thing stops by our table with a pen and pad in her hand.
“Hey, boys. I’m Kenzie and I’ll be your waitress today. What can I get you to drink?”
“Uh,” I mutter, glancing back at the hostess who is playing on her phone by the front door. “We ordered a water and a beer already.”
She follows my gaze and whispers a curse. “I’m so sorry. I’ll be right back with those, okay?”
“Sure.”
As she stomps off, I turn back to Smith who flashes me an expectant look. “So, what’s her name?”
“Go fuck yourself, that’s her name. Why don’t you focus less on me and more on the case?”
“The way I see it,” he replies, leaning back in his chair. “I can do both. Now, what’s her name?”
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a goddamn pain in the ass?” I ask and he laughs.
“Yeah, it’s part of my appeal.”
I shake my head. “I doubt it.”
“Name, please,” he repeats with a shrug and my irritation grows. It’s clear that he is not going to let this go and I would much rather get it out there and move on with my damn life.
“For fuck’s sake. It’s Piper, my ex-wife.”
“Oh,” he whispers, nodding. “The one who cheated on you when you were deployed and then left you?”
Gritting my teeth, I nod. “That’s the one.”
“Hold up,” he demands, holding his hand up in front of him. “Why the hell does your ex-wife still have you by the balls?”
“Just forget about it, Smith.”
He studies me for a second before his eyes widen. “Are you still in love with her?”
“Absolutely fucking not,” I snap as the waitress stops at our table with our drinks and I am thankful for the interruption.
“Here you guys go. I’m so sorry about the mix-up. Who had the beer?”
Smith raises his hand and she sets the bottle down in front of him before setting my glass of water on the table by me and wiping her hands on her apron. She pulls the pen and pad out again and flashes us a bright smile.
“Okay. Y’all know what you want to order?”
Smith nods. “Yeah, I’ll get the lasagna.”
“Okay,” she answers, scribbling his order down before turning to me. “And you, sir?”
“Chicken Alfredo.”
