Page 54 of Dreaming Without Heartache

Fifteen minutes pass, and no Sam. I see Kara keeping a close eye on the door behind me. She hopes for the right people to walk in every time it opens. I hope they don’t.

Finally, at the exact moment Sam and Olivia show up, the server arrives to seat us. Maisie’s been fussy this whole time, like a little volcano ready to blow. She’s bubbling over with exhaustion and hunger.

Maisie tugs at my arm for me to stop walking. “I have to use the bathroom.” She crosses her legs and leans into my arm for emphasis on the urgency.

I look at Steven since Kara and Olivia have gone ahead of everyone. “I’ll take her to the restroom and meet you at the table.”

After the bathroom break with a cranky kid, I finally spot everyone seated at a table in the back. Maisie grips my hand tightly as if she can’t let me get out of her sight. I’m going to let her sleep in tomorrow and rest. We got up early and have been nonstop all day. This kid is hungry and tired, as she’s mentioned several times over the last twenty minutes or so. She wants to make sure I don’t forget.

The only two seats available are next to Sam. How nice of them to put us next to Sam. I want to roll my eyes because that wasn’t planned at all, now was it? I walk Maisie to the seat next to Sam and pull out the chair so she can be in the middle of us.

“I want to sit here!” she huffs as she climbs in the chair across from Olivia, leaving me to sit next to Sam. I have no choice but to make the best of it.

“Mozzarella sticks with ranch, and marinara are on the way.” Steven makes sure the girls hear him. He sees Maisie on edge and hopes this will help. Being tired and hungry at her age is not for the faint of heart.

“Yum! I love cheese sticks,” Sam exaggerates as she leans in front of me to engage with Maisie. “I’m so hungry I could eat a whole pizza!”

“Me, too!” Maisie smiles before taking a sip of water.

“I didn’t order you two any drinks,” Steven says. “I didn’t know what to get you or how strong.”

“Well, I’m driving kids, so nothing strong.” I don’t know why I’m so annoyed right now. Maybe Maisie’s exhaustion is rubbing off. I notice Olivia holding her phone under the table, showing Kara god knows what. And, honestly, I’m too tired to deal with it at this moment. At least she is quiet and not being sarcastic to anyone.

“I want a Sprite.” Maisie pushes her water back and crosses her arms.

“Absolutely, honey. As soon as I can order it.” I slide the water back to her, wanting her to drink more. She pushes it away again. She would have drunk the water if Steven hadn’t mentioned the soda. I don’t blame him for bringing it up. He was being helpful, and Maisie is being hard to handle. I’m so ready to feed her, get her home and in her pajamas. Thank goodness she’s been bathed already.

Sam leans in, her lips nearly brushing my ear. “How’s Maisie after the fall?” The breath from her words slides through me, equal parts comfort and cruelty.

I move away, resisting the urge to absorb her closeness. “Maisie,” I say, turning to include her. “Sam wants to know how you’re feeling after the ground bit your back.” I make a gnarling sound as I pretend to bite her neck, trying to get her to perk up.

“No!” Maisie giggles, pushing my head away.

“How’s your bite, Maisie girl?” Sam takes the opportunity to lean across me to touch Maisie, her arm deliberately pressing against my breasts, as though she knows exactly what she’s doing.

“I didn’t get bit.” Maisie giggles again.

“She’s all better now, and stronger for it.” I look Sam in the eyes before dropping my gaze at her arm still against my chest. I lean close to her, lowering my voice. “Careful, we don’t want women to believe these belong to you.” I mean for the comment to sting.

Sam’s eyes widen before the side of her lip quirks up in interest. “I’ll put a claim in. I know the worth.”

I want to scoff at her. Instead, I casually reply, “I wouldn’t bet on it. But maybe there’ll be a sale soon, closer to your budget. I’ve seen your recent purchases.” I almost want to pat myself on the back for such a sharp comment. That is until I see Steven’s stern look and Luke’s bewildered expression. I mean, I thought it was funny and relevant to our recent encounter with my ex. I don’t dare look at the girls who aren’t paying attention to us anyway.

“Let’s get some food,” Steven squeaks as Luke flags down our server. “Even a Snickers bar at this point.” His eyes say it all.

I don’t look at Sam, but her silence lets me know I hit a nerve. What do I have to be sorry for? I’d love to have seen her reaction if I’d shown up somewhere public with one of her exes a week after we’d had sex. I don’t feel remorse. Yet, I still care what she thinks of me. I wish I didn’t.

Chapter Twenty

As soon as we get home, Kara rushes up to her room. Maisie kicks off her shoes as she climbs on the couch more awake than ever. She grabs her tablet, stretches back to relax, propping one leg over the other like she’s the queen of the house. I go unload the dishwasher. I can’t wait to straighten up and get Maisie in her PJs. The bed is calling both our names, even if she can’t hear it yet. I know she’ll crash the second her head hits the pillow. I’m just hoping she holds out until then. Wrestling a half-asleep, cranky kid into PJs isn’t how I want to end the night.

Just as I walk in to get Maisie up to bed, my camera app alerts me to activity outside. At this hour? It’s too late for a delivery. It’s dark out. Maybe those raccoons that have been visiting are back.

I pull my phone from my back pocket and open the video. My eyes nearly pop out of my head. Kara’s tucked against the side of the house, vaping as if she owns the night. For a moment, I just stare, stunned by her audacity. Then I grow angry. Angry at her, but also at myself. I knew she was up to something. Guess she moved from cigarettes to vaping. What a perfect way to keep me from smelling tobacco on her. I’ve failed Annie and Bill, and the shame cuts deeply.

I head to the front door, looking forward to catching her in the act. Maisie glances up as I pass by. I place a finger over my lips, so she knows to be quiet. She mirrors me by putting a finger over her lips before returning to her tablet.

Before I can touch the knob, the doorbell rings. I yank the door open, not caring who’s there as I watch a surprised Kara shove the vape in her bra. She looks around frantically before darting off toward the back of the house. I finally look up to see Sam standing dumbfounded. “Come in.” I motion, as I turn to go find Kara. I’ll see what Sam wants after I handle this.