Page 52 of Smitten with the Single Dad

Wyatt snorted and ruffled his kid’s hair. “It’sFoMO. And yeah, I know you do.”

Jake was already at the table—reading—along with a big plate of waffles,stewed strawberries, and whipped cream.

“Whoa,” Griffon said. “What’s this all for?”

Wyatt pulled out a chair for Vica and she sat down, admiring the way his back bunched and flexed beneath his shirt as he wandered into the kitchen and poured them each a coffee. He sat down in his seat after setting a mug in front of Vica. “So, yesterday the police came to the restaurant. Along with two men from something called ‘immigration.’”

Jake set his book down to give his dad his undivided attention. Griffon had already started loading his plate with breakfast food.

“Why did the police come?” Jake asked. “What happened?”

“They came for Vica. Because her job ended, and the company she was supposed to start working for decided to take back their job offer. Now, she doesn’t have the proper paperwork to be in the country.”

“Well, that’s dumb,” Griffon said with his mouth full. “You should be able to go wherever you want. Isn’t this afreecountry?”

Wyatt gave his son an amused look before continuing. “Anyway, in order to give Vica more time to get that paperwork, the easiest thing for her to do is marry someone from this country. If you are married to an American citizen, you get what’s called a green card and you can stay.” He was obviously dumbing things down for the children significantly, but a big part of Vica figured he didn’t need to. They were clever boys and understood more than their father gave them credit for. He glanced at Vica, hesitation in his eyes.

Was that hesitation over what they were about to do? Or simply hesitation at telling his sons?

“To help Vica, I suggested she and I get married. It’s just to help her. Because we’re friends.”

Griffon and Jake’s mouths dropped open, and they exchanged looks for a brief moment before they each smiled from ear to ear.

Vica exhaled in relief.

“Really?” Jake asked. “You guys are going to get married?”

“Are you our new mom?” Griffon asked.

“Uh …” Vica glanced at Wyatt for help.

“This is temporary,” Wyatt said quickly. “One friend helping another.”

“So, she’s not our new mom?” Griffon asked, crestfallen.

As much as Vica didn’t want to see the little guy sad, it warmed her heart that he was excited at the prospect of her being a more permanent fixture in his life.

“We’re marrying just until she gets her papers sorted and the police stop coming here trying to arrest her for defending herself against the man who hurt her.”

“They’re trying to arrest you?” Jake asked. “Why?”

Oh boy!

“Because the man died,” Wyatt said.

“Good,” Griffon said. “Anybody who hits women doesn’t deserve to be alive.”

“Griff,” Wyatt warned.

“What? I’m just saying what I’ve heard you say before. That hitting women—hitting girls—is bad and those men should be shot.”

“I’ve never said that.”

“Have too. I heard you. You said it to Uncle Dom when you thought I wasn’t listening. You were talking about it the other day. You said ‘It should be legal to shoot fuckers who hit women.’ Right?”

Oh boy!

Wyatt’s face was bright red, and he was clenching his molars. “Eat your breakfast, please.”

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