Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 106538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
“Shocking.” I smile, helping her thread her arms through her backpack before we head outside.
It’s a fifteen-minute ride to Build a Bowl. Before I can lock up our bikes, Lola runs inside, leaving both locks and our helmets with me. When I get everything situated and reach the door, Lola’s found Maren at a tall table in the corner.
“Dad! Look who’s here.”
I smile and nod toward the register. “I assume my daughter ordered for us,” I say to the employee behind the counter while retrieving my wallet.
“She did, and the woman over there already paid.”
Lola waves me toward the table, where Maren’s back is to me.
“What a pleasant surprise,” I say. “Here.” I lay cash on the table by her water glass.
Maren glances at me while sliding the cash toward me. “The surprise is mine. And I’ll pay top dollar for good company.” She winks at Lola, who’s kneeling on the wooden stool.
“Put your butt on the chair before you fall over, goofy,” I say to Lola. She frowns before following my order.
I sit next to Maren because it’s conveniently the closest stool.
“Thank you. Now I owe you.” I pocket the cash.
“Lola said she’s been at her talk doc.”
I chuckle, angling my body toward Maren until our legs touch like the other night at the bar. Her glossed lips twitch with the recognition that, even now, we’re sneaking around. “Yes. Victoria is her talk doc.”
“Maren,” the guy behind the counter calls out.
“I’ve got it.” I get our bowls and set them on the table.
“Thank you for not asking me about my scars,” Lola says, giving Maren a shy smile that rips at my chest. My mom told her to say that to anyone she liked because people feel at ease when the obvious is out in the open.
The good news: Lola likes Maren.
The bad news: Maren has tears in her eyes.
Maren swallows hard and nods, averting her gaze to her rice, veggie, and steak bowl.
Lola smiles at me, proud of herself for—in her mind—making a friend. I have a warm, fuzzy feeling for five seconds before Lola goes too far.
“Are you married?” she asks.
Maren shakes her head, chewing slowly.
“Do you like my dad?”
“Lola—”
“I do like your dad.”
My thoughts go up in smoke. I’ve lost control of this conversation. I’m the third wheel.
Lola lights up. I haven’t seen her look this happy in a long time. Her wide, unblinking eyes jump to mine.
“You should come to our house and meet my nana and pa.”
This girl has no clue what a terrible idea that is. I wait for Maren to squirm in her seat or stutter a nervous reply.
“You should come to my house to meet my cat,” Maren says.
Yep. It’s like I’m not even here. Neither one of them gives a single shit about what I want.
“Yes! Dad, can we go after dinner?”
I shake my head. “The sun’s setting, and it’s too far for you to ride in the dark.”
Lola deflates.
“What if you come tomorrow?” Maren suggests.
“We’d love to,” Lola says. I roll my eyes at her, speaking for us like I have no say. “What kind of cat do you have?”
“I’m not sure. It was a stray cat,” Maren says.
Lola’s lower lip makes its debut. “My dad killed that kitten on the trail.”
“I did not.”
“You abandoned it. What do you think happened to it? Even Dakota said he probably died.”
“I think you and Dakota should take a break from talking to each other.”
Lola ignores me. “What’s your cat’s name?”
“Bandit.”
“I like that name. I was going to name my kitten Mouse because Dakota has a fish named Shark. But now the kitten’s dead, so it doesn’t matter.”
Jesus Christ . . .
“Mouse is a great name,” Maren says. “Had I thought of it, I would have named my cat Mouse. But he’s already used to his name, so I’d better keep it as Bandit.”
“His middle name could be Mouse. What’s your last name?” Lola asks.
“Bernabe.”
“Bandit Mouse Bernabe.” Lola shoves food into her mouth, then snorts, spitting a little into the bowl.
I shake my head.
“I . . .” Lola giggles. “I like that name.”
“Then that’s settled. Bandit’s middle name is Mouse.” Maren gives Lola a resolute nod.
I think Lola might explode with excitement. She’s gripping her fork so hard that her hand is shaking. All this over a middle name. She’s going to lose herself when she sees Bandit.
“I have to use the bathroom.” Lola hops off the stool. This seems right since she looked ready to wet herself with excitement upon hearing the kitten news.
“Let me check it.” I follow her to the single-stall bathroom for a quick peek. “Don’t forget to lock the door.” I close it behind me and return to the table, where I can still see the door.
Maren starts to say something, but I grab her face and kiss her because I need to kiss her.