Oh, for fuck’s sake. Pinto didn’t believe for one damn second that this call wasn’t planned ahead of time. There was no way in hell that Gina just happened to call while they were meeting for dinner. He glared at his mother, who largely ignored him, as he reached for Fiona’s hand.
“I didn’t know she’d do this,” he said.
“Of course you didn’t.” Her voice was clipped. “But is it really that much of a surprise?”
No, he should have seen it coming from a mile away, and he mentally kicked himself for not doing anything to avert it. He shot a look to his sister, who was shaking her head in apparent annoyance. For the most part, Sadie seemed oblivious, her focus fixed on a picture she was coloring with crayons.
All the while, his mother continued to chat with his ex-girlfriend as though Gina was her favorite person in the whole world, and Fiona didn’t exist.
“Oh yeah, sure, he’s right here. Hold on.” His mother held the phone out to him, her finger over the mic. “Gina wants to talk to you.”
Of course she did. It was all part of whatever his mother cooked up to get them back together.
Pinto stared at the phone as if it were a live grenade. “That’s okay. I’m good.”
His mother’s face pinched. “Don’t be rude, Joseph. I taught you better than that. She just wants to say hello and wish you a Merry Christmas.”
Fucking wonderful. His chances of getting through this unscathed were about as good as a snowball on Daytona Beach. He didn’t want to talk to his ex, not now, not ever, and especially not when the woman he truly cared about was sitting right next to him.
But if he didn’t take the call, his mother would have an epic meltdown in the middle of a crowded restaurant that would probably go viral online or end up on the local news. Maybe both. And then she’d hold a grudge about it until she drew her last breath.
“I’m sorry,” he softly said to Fiona, and then turned to his mother. “Give me the damn phone.”
“Language!” she said, and then handed him the phone, a triumphant look on her face.
“Excuse me,” he said as he stood. No way was he having this conversation in front of Fiona. He stalked to a quiet spot near the emergency exit and put the phone to his ear.
“Hello, Gina.”
“Hi, Joey. It’s good to hear your voice after all this time. How have you been?”
“Fine.” Silence stretched out over the line. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but all he felt were the cold remains of what had once been a passionate relationship. They had a long history stretching back to his youth, with a ton of shared memories. But right now, he didn’t feel much of anything besides the need to get back to Fiona.
“Did I call at a bad time?” Gina asked.
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“We can talk later if you want. I’ve missed you, Joey. We really need to—”
“There’s nothing for us to talk about, Gina. If you want forgiveness, fine, you’ve got it, but I’ve moved on with my life.” He switched the phone to his other ear. “Look, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go. Merry Christmas, Gina. Take care of yourself.”
He hurried back to the table, where the waitress had dropped off their food. His family was chowing down on ribs and pulled pork, but Fiona was nowhere in sight.
“Where’s Fi?” he asked.
His sister gave him the “You dumbass” look. “She said she was going to get some air, but I’m pretty sure she left, because she took her purse with her.”
His guts twisted. “And you let her?”
“What was I supposed to do, tackle her to the ground and hold her there until you’re finished talking to your ex-girlfriend?”
“I was trying to—” He heaved out a breath and shot his mother a death glare, which, yep, she totally ignored. There were so many things he wanted to say, but they’d have to wait until he made things right with Fiona. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
As he strode away, he heard Stephanie say, “I told you it was a horrible idea. You never listen to me.”
Pinto found Fiona standing outside, typing away on her phone. “What are you doing out here?”
Her fingers stopped moving as she gave him a look that could freeze an erupting volcano. “I’m going home. My ride should be here any minute.”
