Page 216 of The Bonus

He stands in line at the snack bar, and sure enough, Felicity Fox goes to stand in the line behind him; she’s been waiting for this opening all day, no doubt.

She begins to chat and he talks back but keeps facing forward, every now and then I see him glance up to see if I’m watching.

I turn my head away from them in an exaggerated way. I’m still spying, of course…tearing my retinas with all the side eye, I’m sure.

Ten minutes later, he returns with a box of food. He passes Lucia her hot dog and drink and then holds out a hot dog and drink out for me. “Here you are, Gracie.”

Gracie.

“I said I didn’t want anything.”

“Sometimes I’m forced to serve you things that you think you don’t want but obviously need. It’s for the better good of the outcome.”

He’s talking about his little outburst yesterday.

My eyes meet his, and he gives me a slow sexy smile before raising an eyebrow. He holds the hot dog up.

I can feel Lucia’s eyes watching me, so I snatch the hot dog and Coke from him.

“You didn’t say thank you.” He smirks.

“So help me,” I mutter under my breath.

“Mom,” Lucia says. “Say thank you.”

“Thank you,” I say through gritted teeth.

He gives me a broad smile and taps his hot dog against mine before taking a huge bite, totally unfazed. “Hmm, so good.”

Fucker.

Gabriel

I listen to the children chat about their day and I smile up at the ceiling in the dark.

Their first sleepover at my house.

It’s been the best night, we had a campfire and cooked on the grill. We played Uno, they showered and we had ice cream, and now it’s bedtime.

Who knew such innocent fun would be the best time of my life?

They’re in their single beds and I am on the floor of their room on couch cushions laid out in a makeshift bed. I told them that I had to stay in here so that they didn’t get scared…but really it’s for me. I just want to be closer, it’s as if now that my heart has been opened to theirs, I can’t bear to be away from them; not even the next room will do.

I’ve missed out on so much time with them that every second counts.

“What was Mom doing tonight?” I ask casually.

“She went to Benderville,” Dominic replies.

I frown. “Where’s that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Who did she go with?”

“Debbie.”

Benderville… Benderville… Oh, she’s gone on a bender with Deb.

---