Page 82 of Nine

I roll my eyes at him. He gives that girl everything she wants. To use the word spoiled would be an understatement.

“What? You heard Mya. He’s magical.”

“Yeah. Okay. You spoil her, you know that?”

“She’s Daddy’s girl. What else would you have me do, babe?”

I shake my head and grab my keys. Trig and I walk toward the door to see Mya standing impatiently next to it. You would almost think she had to pee the way she was squirming to get out. Trig grabs her hand and out we walk. I look back at our beautiful house, and for just a slight second I remember everything it took to get here. Trig looks at me.

“Are you ready?” He nods to the car.

“Yeah. I am.”

We get into the car and Mya immediately asks for my phone and ear buds. These little kids today can work electronics like no tomorrow, but they sure don’t know how to do the dishes. I hand it to her and within seconds, I can hear Sponge Bob blasting through the earbuds, so I know she can’t hear me.

“Trig,” I say.

“Yeah?”

His eyes are focused on the road.

“I don’t want to lie to her anymore. She keeps asking me, if your name’s Mike and my name’s Angelina, then why do we call each other Trig and Nine. Every time she sees the scar on my side or the scar on your arm, she wonders what happened. I just feel like I’m always lying to her about something. I don’t like it.”

“You’re protecting her.”

“I’m still lying.”

I look back at Mya. Her eyes are glued to the screen with not a care in the world.

“One day she’s going to be a woman, and one day she’ll understand, but right now the only thing she wants is a polka dot unicorn and her mom and dad to be happy.”

He reaches over and squeezes my hand.

“You’re right,” I say.

“I know I’m right, and I know you probably better than you know yourself. This is just nerves. Mya is fine. Stop stressing.”

“This is why I’m marrying you. You’re like my own personal therapist.”

“I thought you were marrying me because of my good looks and my big—”

I throw my hand over his mouth. He laughs.

“There is a child in the car, Mike.”

I use his secondary name, which makes him laugh even more.

“I was going to say big heart. What did you think I was going to say?”

“Oh, I know what you were going to say, and it wasn’t heart.” I smirk.

We pull up to the mall, park, and go inside. Mya is dying to get over to Build-A-Bear, but I know once we go in, it’s going to be hours before we come out. We find the closest jeweler and enter the shop.

“Good morning. Can I help you find something?” a sales clerk says.

“Engagement ring,” Trig replies. “I’ve proposed about ten times, and she finally said yes today. Winning!”

I elbow him in the side, while I keep a smile on my face. The woman chuckles.

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