Page 84 of Shameless

Jasmine’s red lips curl into a cruel smile. “No, you don’t got this. And for Heaven sake, put her down, you’re creasing her dress.”

Jules’s expression turns into a scowl. “This stupid dress is what set her off to begin with. She was absolutely fine until we had to change back into it. If you’d let me get her something else from the club’s store?—”

“She has a beautiful dress that’s a limited edition. She’s going to wear it and behave the way I’ve been trying to teach her, or you can take her back upstairs. I’m having dinner with my date.”

With all the commotion caused by Jenna’s tears, I hadn’t even noticed Evan’s presence.

My worst nightmare is standing a few steps behind Jules’s ex. “Our table is ready, Jaz.”

His lips curl into a smile that doesn’t reach his dark, soulless eyes as they land on me.

I suppress a shiver, comforted by the warmth radiating from Stefan and Crew who haven’t left my side since we entered the restaurant.

18.Jenna

Jules

Maybe I should have gotten a sitter and sat down with Jenna for an earlier dinner. I just wanted to have dinner with her and see the fireworks, I’ve missed her so much during the weeks my ex kept me from seeing her.

My daughter is obviously tired but she was absolutely fine until I put her in the dress Jasmine insisted on.

What was meant as a gesture of goodwill, as a way to try and keep the peace backfired spectacularly.

I’m not going to yell at Jenna or spank her, like Jaz and Tiffany think I should do.

While we need to offer guidance and teach our kids right and wrong, I think children should be heard.

I’ve felt the fabric of Jenna’s dress and it’s scratchy as hell. To be honest, I don’t blame her for being in a terrible mood.

“Munchkin,” I murmur as gently as I can. “Let’s show Mommy and Grams what a good girl you are. I know you’re disappointedbut I promise we’re going to have a delicious dinner and the fireworks are going to be beautiful. Can you do that for Daddy?”

Jenna is a lot calmer than a moment ago. She isn’t crying anymore but she still looks forlorn, tears clinging to her dark lashes. “Daddy,” she says softly. “I want to swim.”

“I know, but?—”

Help comes from Crew.

Again. I don’t know if he’s trying harder to be tolerable because of Lula, or if he’s always been almost alright and I never really gave him a chance.

“Jenna, can you do me a favor? I need someone to take care of Napoleon during dinner. I’ve heard the chef made a ton of fries for you and Naps loves fries. Would you mind sharing them with him? He could sit on your lap, if it’s ok.”

My daughter’s eyes light up as she nods solemnly. “Yes. Naps is pretty.”

Crew lifts Napoleon closer to Jenna and the dog licks her cheek, causing her to smile for the first time since we went to change for dinner.

I’ll be damned, but that mutt is growing on me too.

As we take our seats for dinner, Mom arranges a chair with three pillows on it to boost Jenna so she can reach the table.

“Apologies but we have more young children than expected and we don’t have enough high chairs. Jenna is tall for her age, so I thought she would sit in the grown up chair with Napoleon.”

Jenna nods, pleased that she’s being treated like a grownup. “Naps,” she says, petting Crew’s dog. “You swim?”

Crew answers the question on behalf of the tiny pooch. “He’s a very good swimmer actually. If tomorrow the weather is nice, we could all go swimming together, what do you say?”

Jenna is delighted by Crew’s idea. “Yes, I swim with Naps.”

If I wasn’t relived that the crisis has passed, I would probably be a little jealous that Crew is having more success than I did in soothing my daughter.

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