Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Zeus is openly glaring at him.
Ah, crap.
Okay, so maybe I am feeling a little uncomfortable.
Knowing I have to introduce them, I say, “Rich, this is Zeus Kincaid. Zeus, this is Rich Hastings.”
“I know who you are,” Rich says to Zeus, putting a hand out to shake Zeus’s. “I’m a big fan.”
Zeus looks at his outstretched hand like it’s smeared with the Ebola virus, and then he somewhat reluctantly shakes his hand. Hard, if going by the way Rich flexes his fingers after their handshake.
“Always good to meet a fan,” Zeus says. And I’m pretty sure I detect sarcasm in his voice.
“So, how do you guys know each other?” Rich asks.
“Zweus is an old friend of Mommy’s,” Gigi helpfully says.
“We went to school together,” I clarify, leaving out the part that he was my first love, my first everything. “Zeus is in town, so we’re just catching up.”
“What brings you to Port Washington?” Rich asks him.
“Family.” Zeus gives me a pointed look, and I squirm in my seat.
“Can you give us a minute?” I say to Zeus. “I just need to talk to Rich. It’s work-related.”
Zeus makes a snorting sound but doesn’t say anything.
I scoot out of my seat and move away from our table with Rich following me.
I stop when we’re out of earshot of anyone and turn to Rich.
Before I get the chance, he says quietly, “He’s her dad,” stating it, not asking.
“How?” I ask, flabbergasted.
“Well, I am a cop. It’s my job to notice things like that. But, honestly, it’s her eyes, Cam. She looks like you. But she has his eyes. They’re a dead giveaway.”
I trust Rich. He’s not a gossip.
But I still say, “Please don’t tell anyone. Gigi doesn’t know yet.”
“You can trust me, Cam. But how the hell does Gigi not know who her father is?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I have time.”
“Not now. Another time,” I tell him.
“We still on for Wednesday?”
I hesitate. “It’s just difficult at the moment…”
“Okay,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I’m off the weekend after next. How about I take you out on Friday night?”
“We don’t do that.”
“I think we should. I like you, Cam.”
“Are you asking because of Zeus?” I say and immediately regret it.
He frowns. “No. I’ve been asking you for a while now, Cam. Long before Zeus Kincaid showed up.”
I glance down at my shoes. “Look…I like you, Rich. I do. But Gigi…she’s going to find out soon who her father is. It’s just not the right time for me to be starting anything up with anyone.”
“We’ve been going for a while.”
“We’ve been sleeping together,” I say quietly. “A relationship is a whole other ball game.”
He holds my eyes. “Okay, I get it. We’ll put you and me on the burner until things calm down. But let me take you out next Friday, just as friends. You look like you could do with one right now.”
I blow out a breath, giving in. “Okay. I’ll check with Aunt Elle and see if she’s okay with watching Gigi. I’ll text you and let you know for sure.”
“Hastings,” a voice calls from over by the counter.
“That’s my order. So, I’ll hear from you soon.” He touches my hand with his.
“Yeah. I’ll text you.”
He walks away. I watch him for a second, and then I turn around to head back to our table. My eyes clash with Zeus’s across the room.
He looks angry.
And, for a second, a feeling of guilt dips in my stomach. Like I’ve done something wrong.
But I haven’t done anything wrong.
I just had a sensible conversation with a guy who, yes, I’ve slept with, but he’s also my friend. And I need a friend right now.
Zeus was the one who screwed someone else and then screwed me over.
He was the one who was just getting his flirt on with our waitress.
So, screw him.
And, with that thought in mind, I tip my chin up and walk back over to our table.
When I sat back down at our table, the atmosphere was a little strained between me and Zeus. But then the food arrived, and things got a little easier.
I hope, going forward, things will be easier and not be as strained because we’re going to have to be around each other, for Gigi’s sake.
Zeus pulls the car up outside our house.
We get out. He helps Gigi from the car and then walks us up to our house.
I unlock the door and open it. “Thanks for today,” I say to Zeus. “We had a nice time, didn’t we, Gigi?”
“Yep. And fank you for Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She hugs the toy to her chest.
“You are more than welcome.” He smiles at her.
“Gigi, you go on inside. I’ll be there in a minute. I just need to talk to Zeus.”
“Can I watch TV?”
“Yes.”
“Bye, Zweus.” She waves at him.
He waves back. “Bye, Gigi.” His voice sounds wistful.