Page 76 of Mister Mom

Then I realize it’s seven here, which means it’s nine in Chicago, so I pull out my phone.

Me: Thanks for sending Marisol. Not necessary, but thank you.

No three dots appear and I wonder where the hell Vance has disappeared to. The man who texted me from the minute he got off the plane to the time he went to the restaurant has suddenly gone MIA. I search his Instagram and Snapchat account, but no recent posts. He’s not even tagged in a post anywhere by Leo or Jagger.

The rest of the morning, I try to stay out of Marisol’s way, even leaving for lunch with the kids, although I worry she’d take pictures of my things or steal something the whole time. But if she’s a big part of Jagger’s life—assuming that’s true—then I’m sure I can trust her.

The long-awaited response come comes through at three in the afternoon.

Vance: Hey. Jagger is forcing me to stay another night. He’s calling it bonding time. Grrr. Do you have time to talk?

I hem and haw, staring at the two kids piling ice cream in their mouth. Well, Payne is. Via is wiping whipped cream all over her tray and once in a while she pushes her fingers into her mouth.

Me: I have the kids with me. I’d stay if I were you. Maybe Jagger is coming out this weekend. ;)??

Vance: And to think it’s Leo everyone is expecting to. :P

Vance: I miss you <3

If he misses me so bad, then why didn’t he call me last night and all day today?

Me: I miss you too. Have fun and I’ll see you tomorrow. ??

Vance: I’m hoping to get in early tonight. Can I call? (Praying hands emoji) Please. LOL

Me: You can call me whenever.

My phone rings and Vance’s number shows up on my screen.

“Who is it?” Payne asks, rising up on his knees in the restaurant booth to peek over the table.

“Vance.”

“Vance?” Payne screams and then looks at Via. “It’s Vance.”

Although Vance is her play buddy, whipped cream seems like the winner today because she ignores Payne and looks back down at her sticky hands.

“Not quite what I meant,” I answer the phone.

Vance chuckles. “Tell me what you’re wearing.”

Vance’s sleepy voice explains why he’s just calling me now and my shoulders relax. I hate that I even doubted him.

I look down at myself. “Jeans and a sweater.” I turn my head to the side to muffle my conversation from the kids. “Not an inch of my body is showing.”

He groans. “That’s all right. I have a good imagination and an even better memory.”

“I’m sure.” Payne reaches for my phone, but I hold my finger up to him.

“Don’t you want to know what I’m wearing?” His tone is filled with mock offence and I can’t help the smile that finds its way to my face.

“Payne is about to strip the phone away from me.” I giggle the schoolgirl laugh he always seems to pull out of me.

“So we’ll table the phone sex for now. Do you think you can get a babysitter for Sunday night?”

My belly tingles with excitement that he’s asking for alone time with me.

“I can try. My parents are returning in a few weeks, but I might be able to get my friend’s daughter to help out, since it’s a weekend.” A loud banging echoes out across the line and I pull the phone away from my ear. “What is that?”

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