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)
She’s shrieking because she’s been desperate for one. But, with a price tag of a hundred dollars, it’s a tad out of my budget.
“That’s a really expensive toy,” I say to Zeus, my brows lifting.
He just shrugs. “The lady in the shop said it’s the big toy this year.”
And didn’t she just see him coming?
I smile at his generosity. “It’s really kind of you,” I tell him. “Say thank you to Zeus, Gigi.”
“Thank you, Zweus!” Gigi runs at him and wraps her arms around his leg, hugging him.
The look on his face makes my heart constrict in my chest. I watch as his eyes fill with that level of emotion that only your child can make you feel.
He places his hand on her head and clears his throat. “You’re welcome, Gigi.” His voice sounds like gravel.
Gigi lets go of him, her expression one of absolute joy. “Can I take it to the park with me, Mommy?”
“I don’t know. It’s an expensive toy, Gigi.”
“I be careful, I pwomise. Pwease, Mommy.” She begs with those gorgeous eyes of hers.
“How about this? You can take it with you. But, when we reach the park, Princess Twilight Sparkle will stay with Mommy until you’re done playing.”
“Yay! Mommy, you da best!” She bounces on the spot.
“Let me just put these inside”—I gesture to the flowers—“and then we can get going.”
I go inside, leaving Gigi on the porch with Zeus. I quickly fill the sink with water, setting the flowers in it. I’ll put them in vases when I get back.
I grab my bag and my and Gigi’s jackets.
When I get back on the porch, Gigi and Zeus are sitting on a step, and she’s giving Zeus a full lowdown on all the My Little Pony character names. He’s intently staring at her, hanging on every word she’s saying.
I feel an ache in my chest for him because he’s missed out on four years with her.
“Ready?” I say.
They both turn, and Zeus gets to his feet. Gigi hops up.
“Whereabouts is the park?” Zeus asks me.
“It’s a fifteen-minute walk. But we can drive there if you want. I was thinking we could get some lunch afterward at Gigi’s favorite diner, if you want?” I want them to have a decent amount of time together.
“Sounds perfect.” He smiles wide. “I can drive us there. I’ve got a car.”
“Gigi needs a car seat,” I tell him.
“All covered.” He walks off our porch and down the garden path, toward an Audi A7. “Rental car. I had them put in a car seat.”
I warm at the knowledge that he thought to do that.
Gigi skips over to his car. He opens the back passenger door, letting her in.
I watch with amusement as he struggles to fasten her into the car seat.
“It’s easy, Zeus. That stwap goes over here and then cwicks in there.”
“You want me to do it?” I offer.
“No. I got it.”
“You sure?”
“Yep.”
I hear a grumble and a grunt. Then, finally, a click.
“Yay! Good job, Zweus! You dids it!” Gigi claps, and I laugh.
The look I get from Zeus is one of amusement.
“You need a college degree to fasten that thing.”
I nod in agreement.
I climb in the passenger side and buckle myself in.
Zeus gets in. I give him directions to the park, and then we’re off.
“Where are you staying?” I ask him.
He glances at me. “I was staying with Ares at his place in New York. But since…” He moves his eyes in Gigi’s direction. “I wanted to be closer, so I’m at the Travelodge in Manhasset.”
I laugh softly and shake my head.
“What?” He gives me a puzzled look.
“You’re driving an Audi A7 but staying in a Travelodge. You do know there’s a nice hotel not far from the marina.”
“I don’t need a nice hotel, Cam. It’s just a place to sleep and shower. I do need a safe car for Gigi to ride in, and this is one of the best.”
Well, if that doesn’t put me in my place in the best kind of way.
Zeus has always been a basic kind of guy. Material things have never really mattered to him.
The people he loves are what matter to Zeus.
That’s what made it hurt all the more when he just disregarded me without a second thought.
Gigi starts talking in the backseat, telling Zeus that we’re passing by her friend’s house, and she doesn’t stop commanding his attention. And he thoughtfully listens to her, taking it all in.
I half-listen to her—partly because I already know everything she’s saying, but also because being in this car with him is assaulting me with the hundreds of memories of time spent in the old Chevy truck that Zeus used to drive.
When my eyes fix on his strong hands on the steering wheel, my memories move off into a whole other territory, and I feel myself flush.