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He squats in front of her. “I know, sweetie. Listen, I’ll call you later and say goodnight, okay?”
Isabel looks down and nods dejectedly, tears forming in her eyes. Man, she’s pulling out all the stops.
“Hey, none of that, Isa-bea.” Remi tips up her chin. “What are you going to get painted on your face?”
She puts on a brave front. “Cat.”
“Like The Cat in the Hat?”
She nods, forming a small smile.
“That’s awesome. Make sure Mommy sends me pictures, okay?”
“Kay. Bye bye, Emmie.” Isabel waves.
With a kiss on Isabel’s forehead, Remi stands and faces me.
“Thanks for hanging out with us,” I say to Remi and Mandy. Ugh, even their names sound cute together.
“I’m really glad we ran into you.” With warm eyes, Remi gives me a lopsided smile. The way he stares at me drives me insane. It’s as if he can’t bring himself to look away.
And Christ on a kiddie coaster, I can’t either. All thoughts of the Become Unappealing Mission are far away in a distant galaxy called I Forgot.
“Anytime,” Mandy replies, tugging Remi away.
After they walk a short distance, he looks back at me with a wistful smile.
I grin back, hiding the ache throbbing in my chest. The further they walk, the more my heart begs me to follow.
Isabel sits still as the artist paints whiskers on her face. I watch her, actively capturing this moment as a memory. She’s going to be a grown woman someday, and I hope she remembers times like this—us having fun together—instead of me leaving her for something work-related.
Now that we’re alone, I feel like something is missing. Or someone, rather. My thoughts turn melancholy. If I don’t loosen up, I’m going to be alone and miserable once Isabel is grown and living her own life.
It’s time I have a little fun, so I decide to be silly and get my face painted too. When the artist asks me what I want, I opt for the Queen of Hearts make-up. I do have reddish hair, after all. When he’s done, I look completely ridiculous, but I haven’t felt this carefree in a long time.
It’s been a long, happy-filled day and I’m exhausted. Isabel was fast asleep before we even got on the train to come home. After settling her into bed, I find a smooth Cabernet and fill my glass.
I’m too exhausted to even contemplate hanging out with B.O.B. tonight, so I snuggle on the couch and scan Netflix for a good movie. Before I have a chance to make a selection, my phone chimes.
Remi: You home yet?
Crap, I forgot to call him so he could say goodnight to Isabel.
Me: We got home a few hours ago. Isabel fell asleep on the way. Sorry I didn’t call.
Remi: What are you doing?
Me: Cuddling with a glass of wine, looking for a movie.
Remi: Lucky glass.
Is he being serious, right now? I don’t even know how to respond to that.
Remi: Queeny?
I contemplate ignoring it because nothing good can come out of this conversation. Besides, he was out with another girl yet he’s flirting with me. I don’t want to lump Remington into the “lying, cheating bastard” category. And I’m certainly not a member of the man-stealing club.
Just as I’m about to turn my ringer off, there’s a knock on my front door.
