Page 66 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“Never better.” Alex returned Gage’s kiss which became more and more probing. When they both came up for air, he said, “Now I’ve definitely made out in a limo.”

Alex giggled. “I’m checking this off my bucket list too.”

Gage kissed her again but stopped abruptly. Rubbing the top of his short-cropped hair, he said, “I shouldn’t have done that.” Staring into her green eyes, he said, “Should I have done that? Are you still with the cop?

Blowing out a long whistle, Alex said, “Way to kill a moment.” She hesitated, staring at her lap. “I-I suppose we’re still together. It’s complicated, but yes, as messy as it is and as awful as it is most days, we’re still dating.” Teary-eyed, she turned toward Gage and placed her hand over his. “You’re a great guy. Areallygreat guy.”

“I feel abutcoming on.” Placing a finger to her lips, he said, “Don’t talk. It’s okay. I get it. I’d be pissed if we were together and he hit on you. Like you said, it’s complicated. Still, the limo was a great surprise, and the kiss was even better.”

“Thanks for understanding.” Alex hated that Tony had already nearly ruined their perfect day from afar.

Tapping on the glass between them and the chauffer, Gage waited for the window to lower. “Take us to Go Zen in the Village.”

“What’s Go Zen?” Alex asked, glad for a distraction.

Gage squeezed her hand. “It’s a cool, fairly new eclectic restaurant. Actually, it’s vegetarian but you’ll never miss the meat. Cheri’s favorite restaurant was Gobo, which closed. The chefs from Gobo and Zen Palate joined forces to open this place. Up for it?”

Nodding, Alex said, “Sure. I can eat anything as long as you’re there.” She immediately regretted sounding so cheesy. Leaning back, her mind raced.Maybe I should just end it with Tony from here. Send him a chicken shit text and get it over with so I can see if Gage and I have a chance.Her stomach churned.I can’t do that to him after all we’ve been through. I owe Tony an in-person breakup. Shit.

Chapter 65

Annoyed Alex hadn’t returned his calls nor texts, Tony jumped at the chance to watch Joey since Sean was undercover and Nikki was God knows where. Rounding the familiar corner to Joey’s school, Tony parked in a back alley behind the playground along with a string of other parents. Craning his neck, he eventually spotted his son-turned-nephew running alongside a mass of children. Stepping outside his car, Tony whistled and waved until he got Joey’s attention.

Backpack flopping up and down as he ran, Joey bounded toward him. Opening the door, Tony said, “Hey, buddy. How was school?”

“Fine.”

“How about your ball team? Having fun?”

“Yep.”

Annoyed by Joey’s one-word answers, Tony reminded him to buckle his seatbelt, told him his mother was busy, and attempted to find an activity. “Want to go bowling?”

Brightening, the young boy said, “Yeah.”

~ ~ ~

Once inside the loud bowling alley, they went to the counter to get bowling shoes. After the clerk found their sizes, they headed to an alley at the far end. Joey laced his shoes and said, “Now what?”

“Pick out a ball.”

Taking an agonizingly long time to choose a ball, Joey eventually returned to the lane. Tony studied his nephew who he had raised as a son. “New hairdo, I see. How does it stick up like that?”

Shrugging, Joey said, “Gorilla glue from Wal-Mart. Want to touch it?”

Tony patted the spiky, stiff hair. “Yeah, little man. You’ve definitely got a mohawk going on.”

“Do you like it?” Joey asked.

“If you do.”

Joey cocked his head. “That’s not an answer.”

“You’re right. I hate it.”

A smile crossed Joey’s lips. “Good. I didn’t think you would.”

“Getting mouthy, I see. Are you taking after Uncle Sean?”

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