Page 78 of Mister Mom

“No!” I scream, my hands moving for the sticky, dripping wet phone. I wipe it down and press the home button. Nothing.

Dead, and now I have no idea what Vance might be thinking. Great.

“I’m sorry,” Payne says with watery eyes, staring at the phone.

I muster up a smile. “That’s okay, buddy. It was an accident. Let’s go to the phone shop and maybe we’ll do a bit more shopping if your sister cooperates.”

Mommy needs some retail therapy all of a sudden.

* * *

By the time we reach the house, my new phone is in my purse, Via is hanging in my arms and I’m clasping a bag of takeout for dinner. Payne runs in first, and I place Via down on the floor for her to run around while I get us situated.

“Payne, turn off the television,” I say, hearing the sound of Backyardigans coming from the family room. After the day I’ve had I cannot stand to listen to those singing and dancing non-animals.

“I didn’t turn it on.” I catch him in the fridge grabbing a drink.

I freeze as I set the takeout bags on the counter. I deactivated the front door alarm when I walked in, I know I did.

I wave my hand for Payne to come back to me. He does, but in doing that Via has her eyes on what’s going on. She runs right into the room.

“Stay here.” I place my hand on Payne’s chest and run after her.

Seconds before I enter the room I hear her giggling.

I step into the room and see the back of a man bending down to pick up my little girl. I’d know the back of this man anywhere—that short blond hair and those strong shoulders. Carver slowly turns, flashing me what started as his ‘get in my pants’ smile and over the years of his bad behavior morphed into his ‘get out of jail free’ smile.

“Layla.” His voice is laced with the sweetness he uses when he wants forgiveness.

“Carver,” I return, my voice laced with annoyance.

“No welcome home hug?” he asks. Via wraps her two arms around his neck, squeezing him tight.

I stare in disbelief, wondering why the hell he’s back, when Payne’s hand slowly slides into mine, reminding me that for his and Via’s sake, I have to play nice.

20

Vance

“So, all in all this weekend was pretty kickass.” Jagger sits down across from me at the restaurant in the airport. “I think Hannah’s smitten with you.” He smiles over the rim of his mug.

“She’s loving her single life,” Leo says while he adds about an inch of jelly to his toast.

“She’s only in her thirties and got hosed for all that fucking money in the divorce. I think she’s doing what she wants now and it’s a smart decision on her part to invest in films.” Jagger places his hand on my shoulder. “This guy’s film to be specific.”

I smile and snap a piece of bacon, popping it in my mouth.

The weekend was a success and I fully believe Hannah will work with me with or without Layla, but obviously she has her heart set on Layla starring in the film.

“Just so you’re aware, I’m taking Layla out tonight and confessing my sins.” I eye Jagger.

He rolls his eyes and blows out a breath. “I don’t understand why you’re going through all this for a girl you’ll probably be broken up with in a month or two.”

“Jag.” Leo shakes his head, piling another forkful of eggs into his mouth.

“Leo, you’ve dated enough actresses to know. There’s no settling down long term with them,” Jagger says.

Leo shrugs, looks over to me. “Why burst the bubble now? Let them have their fun.”

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