Page 25 of Loathe at First Sight

And if that wasn’t enough, he also saw my vibrator. That vibrator is the only thing that has had any contact with my nether regions in over a year. You could say that my relationship with it is the most serious relationship I’ve ever had.

Good lord, that’s awful.

Now, I’m embarrassed and sad.

I don’t think that I would have minded anyone seeing that toy as much as Jack. The man drives me insane. Between him calling me princess and telling me I have a stick up my butt, I just want to strangle him.

He knows nothing about me, yet he chooses to make all of these assumptions. But everyone just thinks he’s such a great guy.

Whatever.

I take my stuff back to my parents' house and quickly unpack. Since there’s not too much, it doesn’t take long. The only things I have left are my clothes and such. Anything that was of any value was taken.

Maybe I should be grateful that I didn’t have to hire movers. I keep trying to tell myself that there’s always a silver lining. But it’s sometimes hard to see the sunshine through all the clouds.

After I’m all unpacked, I head back to the bar for lunch with my dad. I hope he wants to go somewhere instead of just eating there. It would be nice to have some time with him away from my mother.

When I get to Andre’s, I walk inside to find both of my parents standing at the bar talking. Immediately, when my dad sees me, he comes over to hug me. “Lizzie Lou!”

Mom looks thoroughly annoyed. “She’s living here now. You don’t have to hug her every single time.”

He doesn’t pay her much attention but just says, “I’m making up for lost time.” Turning his attention to me, he asks, “Are you ready to go?”

“Ready when you are.”

“How’s pizza sound?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Instead of driving anywhere, we walk to Magda’s Pizza, which is a couple of streets over. Restaurants don’t always last around here since it’s hard breaking into such a small tight-knit community. But Magda’s has stood the test of time and has been in this town longer than I’ve been alive.

Looking around at everything on either side of the street, I say, “Doesn’t look like much has changed around here.”

“Not really. Little things change here and there, but far more stays the same. We did finally get faster internet,” he says with a small smile.

“Thank God for that. Last time I was here, it was still practically dial-up.”

“I see that your flair for the dramatic is another thing that hasn’t changed.”

I look at him. “I don’t think that will ever change.”

We walk into the small restaurant, and he asks, “Still like extra cheese, pepperoni, and banana peppers?”

I smile and nod before going to find us a table. As he orders, I watch the young woman at the counter flirting with him. She tries batting her long eyelashes at him, but he takes no notice. Or if he does, he doesn’t give it the time of day. Andreas Lawson only has eyes for his wife.

Always has.

Always will.

I’m not one who believes much in soulmates, but if I did, my parents would be a prime example of them. I’ve never witnessed two people more in love than they are.

When we were kids, we were always repulsed by how affectionate they were. But now, I see how special that is.

After giving the girl behind the counter the cold shoulder, he walks back to the table with a couple of Coke’s in hand. He sets them both down and sits down across from me.

Smiling, he says, “Man, kid. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too, Dad. I’m sorry I didn’t come home more.”

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