Page 39 of Worth the Vow

“Well, generally it means someone could use some relaxation. They might work too much, or not have extra time to do something for themselves.” I’m treading lightly here. I don’t want her to go back to her father and tattle that I said he’s in dire need of removing the giant stick up his ass.

“I think that’s why you and Daddy work,” she says, jumping up and swiping at the crumbs on her dress. Yes, her dress. Both Aspen and Sienna are in dresses today. At a playground. On a Friday night.

“Uh, what?” I ask.

“You work. Cuz he’s working all the time, and he needs to smile more. You smile all the time. You gotta get him to smile, Katie,” she says happily as she skips over to the playground, waving jovially at someone behind me. It’s really interesting to me that Aspen refuses to call me Kate, and her father is the same way. “Hi, Daddy!”

My breath catches as I whip around to find Dominic standing behind me. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m not allowed to join my wife and kids at the park?” he says dryly.

I’ll ignore the way my heart skips a beat every time he calls me his wife. Every single time. “You’ve never made it to one of these before.”

“I’m aware,” he says as he crouches down to join me on the blanket. His eyes cast downward to the remains of my sandwich. “What is that?”

“A sandwich?”

“You knew you wouldn’t like anything from the trucks?” he asks, his bottom lip sticking out as he studies everything on the blanket.

“I brought my own food,” I answer quietly.

“Why?” he asks bluntly. His eyes narrow as he waits for my answer.

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, Katharine, it does. Because I’m really hoping I’m wrong in what I assume is the answer here. So, please, enlighten me. Why did you pack your own meal?” Dominic’s voice has lowered as he speaks. If it gets any deeper, he might wake up sleeping animals underground because the whole world will vibrate.

“It’s nothing to concern yourself about,” I say hastily, attempting to clean up the trash the kids left, but Dominic grabs my wrist, effectively stopping me from ignoring him.

“It is my concern. You are my concern. You’re the one who told me that, if you remember.”

I growl in response, and notice a quick tick in Dominic’s lips as he almost smiles. “I didn’t think you’d take that literally. I thought you only meant it from the medical aspect.”

“Don’t try to redirect this,” he snaps, his lips pursing into a thin line as his jaw clenches in annoyance. “Why did you pack your own dinner?”

“Because the food trucks are too expensive!” I exclaim. “I love all of them. All of them. That one that does the lobster rolls? They’re divine. I bet every single one of those grilled cheeses at the other truck are amazing. I’ve only had one, but they’re out of my price range. I refuse to spend money on those things when every damn cent needs to be saved.”

“I gave you money,” he states, shock evident on his face. “Was it not enough?”

I hesitate before shaking my head. “They always want ice cream, and I knew it wouldn’t be enough …”

Dominic swears under his breath. “Why didn’t you tell me that? Christ, Katharine. How long have you been doing this? Trying to cover your own expenses when I thought I’d sent enough money for you to enjoy yourself, too?”

“You — you always send money for me?” I whisper.

“Of course I do. Did you really think I’d expect you to pay your own way when you’re with my children?”

“This is just a business arrangement,” I stammer. I’m grasping at straws. I know this. But I’m scared shitless to let my relationship with Dominic evolve out of the box I’ve put it in. Maybe before, I’d have had no problem asking Dominic for extra money. But now … I don’t know how to approach him for anything.

“I’m not heartless, Katharine. I will never expect that while you’re with my kids. It’s disappointing that you think so lowly of me,” he says quietly, before leaning over and quickly kissing my cheek, ghosting his lips over my skin. “People are watching.”

“I don’t know why you bother. Everyone knows this is just for show,” I whisper. I hate that my stomach flipped when he leaned in.

“Not everyone,” he murmurs. When he catches my eyes, he subtly tilts his head toward the stage, and I look out of the corner of my eye to see his ex-wife, Savannah, glaring at us. When Savannah first came to town, she looked haggard. She approached me at the grocery and befriended me. Her hair was in dire need of updated highlights, and her clothes had seen better days. I’m not sure if she’s taking better care of herself, or if she’s gotten someone to help pay her way. Before I can ask Dominic his opinion, he leans in and kisses my lips incredibly quickly, shutting off my ability to think coherently. He just kissed me. Twice. In public. “Close your mouth, Katharine. That was barely even a kiss.”

“Okay,” I murmur.

“Not that I’m a vindictive person by nature, but I’m enjoying pissing her off.” He gives me a grin that looks incredibly vindictive, and it’s ridiculously sexy. Dammit. I really have to stop thinking about him this way.

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