Page 65 of Shameless

“Sorry Ju-Ju,” Jasmine’s sugary sweet tone tells me that she isn’t sorry at all. “If you had told me about your plans in detail, I would have brought a change of clothes for Jenna.”

Yeah, I wasn’t born yesterday and her gloating speaks volumes about the fact that she put Jenna in that dress on purpose to throw a wrench into my plans for today.

But I’ve been dealing with Jasmine’s bullshit long enough to always have a plan B when I’m around her.

“That isn’t a problem,” I smile. “The club’s shop has a great collection of kids clothes and swimming accessories. What do you say we go and find you some shorts and a tank and a cute bathing suit?” I ask my daughter.

“Yes, yes!” Jenna jumps, clapping her little hands. “I want to do swimming with Daddy!”

“See?” I say, doing some gloating of my own. “I’ll have the shop attendant hang the dress for you, so it doesn’t get creased.”

Jasmine’s eyes are narrowed into two furious slits. “They better be designer clothes, Jules. If my daughter ends up on social media wearing department store or supermarket clothes, our entire image will be ruined.”

I bite my tongue that putting kids in designer clothes is ridiculous. Why spend thousands on items that will no longer fit in mere weeks?

But I know with my ex it’s better to choose my battles and she isn’t the only pretentious parent I know.

Like I said, Tiffany was exactly the same with Lula. And the fact that the club’s clothing store carries an extensive selection of designer clothes for babies and children, is proof that the club members would side with Jasmine.

“Come on Jenna,” I smile. “Let’s go to the store and show Mommy that there are tons of clothes and bathing suits with a four figure price tag we can choose from.”

Jenna’s eyes are full of hope. “Can I be a mermaid?”

“I’m sure we can find something with mermaids on it,” I chuckle.

Lula

My body is taut with tension as Stefan hands the key of his car to the Country Club’s valet.

I would have preferred to skip the Fourth of July celebration on the account of wanting to put as much distance as humanly possible between me and Evan.

“Don’t worry baby,” Crew reassures me. “Stefan and I will be by your side all day. That motherfucker won’t even be able to look at you without us knowing. Besides, Naps is in bodyguard mode.”

That definitely makes me feel better. “He already bit Evan once on the ferry. I think Naps has an excellent asshole detector.”

Woof.

A very spiffy looking Napoleon barks in agreement and I can’t resist the urge to pet him.

“You look so handsome in your Fourth of July bandanna,” I praise him.

I swear to God, this dog understands human language better than some people I know.

Woof, woof.

Napoleon practically preens at my praise, puffing his tiny chest out in his best impression of a “big dog.”

“You’re such a flirt, Naps,” Crew teases him. “I think you have a crush on Lula and I can’t blame you.”

“Neither can I,” Stefan chuckles. “Look at him, he’s all bright eyes and bushy tailed, basking in her attention. He’s practically flexing.”

I kiss a spot between Napoleon’s ears and get rewarded with a lick that makes me giggle.

The inside of the Country Club’s main building is decorated with red, white and royal blue in a display of national pride that looks vibrant and elegant at the same time.

“Would you like an Old Glory? It’s this holiday’s signature cocktail.” A waiter greets us, offering a tray of cocktails in the American flag’s colors.

“These look pretty,” I say, reaching for one of the flutes with layers of liquid in red, white and blue.

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