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“Okay, I’m about to make dinner. How about I make the seafood and we can have a sleepover together, send Dad back home to the house while we spend time together?” I asked Mark,
in a whisper, as it was supposed to be a secret, but I was sure Hunter could hear me anyway.
.
“Yes, yes, yes!” the boy sang, taking my hand when I offered it and following me to the kitchen.
“Give me a moment while I send Dad on his way home,” I said, indicating he should sit on the sofa.
“Aren’t you going to tell me goodnight, buddy?” Hunter asked.
“Good night Daddy,” Mark said, waving at him from the relative safety of the distance of the sofa which he had settled into.
“You can’t keep him tonight,” Hunter whispered to me.
“Why? You scared I’ll steal your kid?” I asked, my voice angry now.
“No, of course not, but he’s never been away from me before,” he said.
“Well, as you can see, he’s going to be fine,” I replied.
“Look, about the other night? I wanted to say I’m sorry, I did have genuine concerns, but I could’ve phrased them better,” Hunter said.
“It’s fine, but I did not invite you to the party. That means you’re a crasher and you should leave,” I replied, walking over to the door and holding it open for him.
“Really?” He asked incredulously.
“Yes, really Hunter, come pick up Mark tomorrow or I’ll drop him off with you or I could just take him to the cafe, you can pick him up there when you’re ready,” I said.
“Becca, come on, I said I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes on mine.
I felt my resolve weakening. Hunter had always been able to get to me and he knew it. His blue eyes would latch on me across a room, and I’d know. I’d just know he was looking. But we were adults now and that meant no kidding around. I didn’t want to be stuck joking with him anymore.
“I said it’s fine. Goodnight Hunter,” I said, opening the door and holding it that way until he stepped outside. I watched him walk down to his car and get in before I released a deep breath and closed the door. I’d almost let him stay and that would have meant for longer than the night.
“Okay buddy let’s get started,” I said to Mark when I got back into the room. He still sat on the sofa right where I’d left him. “Are you excited?” I asked.
“Yes!” He said, getting off the sofa and following me to the kitchen where I boosted him onto the island. He was babbling excitedly, and I couldn’t decide who was more excited, I or him. I’d never had a kid stay over and this would be the first time for the two of us. I just hoped he didn’t grow tired of me by the end of the night.
Reconciliation
Becca’s POV
“Table five wants a bacon and cheese sandwich.”
I turned towards the voice and then rolled my eyes. It was Steve, and he looked so happy this time in the morning.
“What? The boss fired you?” I asked, looking away from him and focusing on the pan in front of me.
“I work for you now ma’am, I threw in the towel late last night,” he said.
“You’d go crazy working here, just give it two days,” I informed him.
It was rush hour in the morning, and the orders were coming in fast. Abby and Delia had their hands full just serving the meals and taking in the order while I prepared the meals. I’d need to get a cook if we continued at this rate.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” He asked.
I turned to him for a moment. He looked fine, not worried or worked up. Just regular Steve with a cheerful smile.
