After a few more rounds of goodbyes, his mother, sister, and niece piled into the SUV and drove out of the lot. If the traffic gods smiled upon them, they’d reach I-95 without any problems and, weather permitting, a drama-free drive the rest of the way. Traveling through the night, and on the weekend, should help them avoid some of the worst traffic issues. Still, he’d worry about them until he received that final text confirming they made it home safe and sound.
Watching them leave filled him with mixed emotions. They drove him crazy, but he loved them just the same, and it would be too long and not nearly long enough until he saw them again.
When their taillights disappeared from sight, he walked back to his car and headed for home. He was tempted to swing by Spiny Norman’s, where Fiona was spending time with her friend, but he didn’t want to be like her ex and invade every aspect of her life. Everyone needed personal space. Besides, he’d have her all to himself tomorrow night, and he planned to make her so damn happy she’d never want to leave his side.
Pinto moved into the far right lane and merged onto the expressway.
It amazed him, how quickly she’d come to mean so much to him. She dominated his thoughts, turned him on, and made him look forward to the end of each day when he got to spend time with her. He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve a woman like her, but he thanked his lucky stars that she’d come into his life.
He was halfway home when flashing blue lights filled his rearview mirror.
Nearlyallthetablesat Spiny Norman’s were filled with rowdy patrons enjoying a few beers while watching football on the wall-mounted screens. Every so often, one or more of the tables would erupt into cheers, groans, or a round of high fives, depending on how their team of choice was performing. Liz’s brothers were tending bar, while the waitresses went from table to table to make sure everyone was happy.
Fiona sat at one of the tables with Liz, who wasn’t supposed to be working today but still helped whenever it got really busy. They wouldn’t see each other again until after Christmas, so they’d agreed to celebrate a couple of days early.
She watched as Liz tore through the wrapping paper of her gift faster than a kindergartner hopped up on Red Bull. Liz tossed the paper aside, pulled open the box and—
“Oh, my God, I love it!” Liz held up the T-shirt that readFeminist is my second favorite F-word. “I’m so wearing this tomorrow. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome. And thank you again for the new Miriam Carter book. I didn’t even know she had a new one out. I can’t wait to read it.”
Her hardcover collection had been another casualty of her breakup with Dennis. She’d taken a few of her most cherished books, but there hadn’t been enough room in her car for them all. Over the past few months, she’d bought a few replacements, but it would take time—and money she currently didn’t have—to restore her collection to its former glory.
This was shaping up to be her best Christmas in years. She had her own place, her cat, a fulfilling career, the best friend a girl could ever ask for, and a guy who was too good to be true.
Just thinking about Joe made her smile, and it had nothing to do with the orgasms he gave her last night after the last movie ended and the guys cleared out. Okay, maybe a little, but there was more to their relationship than sex. Her feelings for him were the real deal, soul deep, and grew stronger with each passing day.
For the first time in months, it felt as though the pieces of her life were falling into place.
Then the door to Spiny Norman’s swung open, and the sight of Dennis threw a cold, wet blanket on top of her warm, fuzzy feelings. As he stepped inside, his gaze searched the room, and she felt the full weight of his stare when it landed squarely on her.
Liz made a sound of disgust. “Fucking hell, does he ever give up?”
“Apparently not.”
“I have a baseball bat behind the bar.” Liz dug a coin out of her pocket. “Flip you for who gets to use it.”
“I’m not beating him with a bat,” Fiona said, though she had to admit the idea held a certain appeal. She’d be lying if she claimed to have never entertained a few dark fantasies. “And neither are you.”
“Fine.” Liz sighed to express her disappointment. “I’ll have Jeremy do it. He has a better swing anyway.”
Fiona watched as Dennis approached, a predator wearing a polished disguise, and she wondered for the thousandth time what on earth she ever saw in him.
When he got to within five feet of their table, she stopped him dead in his tracks with a terse, “What do you want? And the answer better not be me.”
He had the gall to look hurt. “It’s almost Christmas, Fiona. Can we please talk? Alone?”
He had a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s in political science, and a PhD in emotional blackmail, his favorite form of manipulation. He wielded it with a ruthless efficiency that came with years of experience.
Liz wasn’t buying it for one hot second. To the contrary, she was rapidly morphing into the human equivalent of a lioness protecting her cub. “If you think that I’m letting you get within—”
“It’s okay, Liz,” Fiona said. “We can talk right here. In public. Five minutes, and not one second more.”
He didn’t look happy about the time limitation but nodded anyway.
“I also got a canister of bear spray. Effective within thirty feet.” Liz was speaking to Fiona, but her gaze was locked squarely on Dennis. “If he makes you even the tiniest bit uncomfortable, just give me a nod and cover your eyes, and I’ll hose him to within an inch of his life.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She watched Liz leave, grateful to have such a fierce advocate in her corner.
